Typing °C or ℃ isn’t obvious the first time you go looking for it. It’s not on any keyboard, the copy-paste approach gets old fast, and the method that works on Windows doesn’t work on Mac. Here’s every reliable method, by platform, so you can find the one that fits your workflow and forget about it.
The Two Versions Worth Knowing
Before getting into methods, it helps to know there are technically two symbols in common use:
°C — the degree sign followed by a capital C. This is two separate characters: the degree symbol (°) plus the letter C. It’s the most universally accepted form and renders correctly everywhere.
℃ — a single combined Unicode character (U+2103) that looks identical but is encoded as one symbol. It’s less commonly used and can display inconsistently depending on the font and platform.
In almost every situation, °C is the better choice. It’s more compatible, more widely supported, and just as correct. The combined ℃ character is mainly useful in legacy systems or specific technical publishing contexts.
Windows
Method 1: Alt Code (Fastest for Regular Use)
Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard). Release Alt and the ° symbol appears. Then type C.
- Make sure Num Lock is on
- This only works on keyboards with a dedicated numeric keypad
- Laptops without a numpad need a different method
Method 2: Character Map
Open the Character Map app by searching for it in the Start menu. Find the degree symbol, click it, and copy it to your clipboard. Not elegant, but it works on any Windows machine.
Method 3: Copy From Your Own Document
Type it once using any method, then keep a snippet file or sticky note with °C ready to copy whenever you need it. For people who use the symbol regularly, this is often the most practical long-term solution.
Method 4: AutoCorrect or Text Expansion
In Word, go to Insert → Symbol, find the degree symbol, and set up an AutoCorrect entry. Type something like degc and Word will automatically replace it with °C. Outside of Word, a tool like PhraseExpress or AutoHotkey can do the same thing system-wide.
Mac
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)
Press Option + Shift + 8 to type the degree symbol °, then type C.
This works in virtually every Mac application — text editors, browsers, email, everything. Once you memorize Option + Shift + 8, you’ll never need another method on a Mac.
Method 2: Character Viewer
Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer. Search for “degree” and you’ll see both ° and ℃. Double-click to insert.
Method 3: Text Replacement
Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements and add a shortcut. Set the phrase to °C and the shortcut to something like degc. From that point on, typing degc anywhere on your Mac will expand to °C automatically.
iPhone and iPad
Method 1: Hold the Zero Key
In any text field, tap and hold the 0 key on the keyboard. A popup appears with the ° symbol. Slide your finger to it and release. Then type C.
This is the built-in iOS method and works everywhere — no setup required. It’s the one to remember.
Method 2: Text Replacement
Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement and add °C as a phrase with a shortcut like degc. After that, typing your shortcut on any iOS keyboard will insert the symbol automatically.
Android
Android keyboards vary by manufacturer, but the most common approach works across most of them.
Method 1: Hold the Zero Key
Just like iOS, tap and hold the 0 key on the default keyboard. Most Android keyboards — including Gboard — show the ° symbol as a long-press option. Tap it, then type C.
Method 2: Special Characters Menu
Tap the ?123 key to switch to numbers, then look for a =< or similar key that opens a symbols page. The degree symbol is usually on one of these secondary symbol screens.
Method 3: Gboard Shortcut
If you use Gboard, you can long-press many keys to reveal alternate characters. The degree symbol is typically accessible from the 0 key long press as above.
Chromebook
Method 1: Unicode Input
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 00b0 and press Enter or Space. This inserts the ° degree symbol directly. Then type C.
This is the standard Unicode input method on ChromeOS and works in most text fields.
Method 2: Hold the 0 Key on Touchscreen
If you’re on a Chromebook with a touchscreen using the on-screen keyboard, the same long-press on 0 works as it does on Android.
Linux
Method 1: Unicode Input
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter. The ° symbol appears. Then type C. This works the same way as ChromeOS and is the most reliable method across Linux distributions.
Method 2: Compose Key
If you have a Compose key set up, the sequence is Compose + o + o to produce °. The Compose key isn’t enabled by default on most distros but can be assigned in keyboard settings.
Microsoft Word (Any Platform)
Word has its own built-in shortcut that works regardless of operating system:
Type 00B0, then immediately press Alt + X. Word converts the Unicode code point into the degree symbol on the spot. Then type C.
Word also has AutoCorrect built in. Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, find the degree symbol, click AutoCorrect, and assign it a trigger like (deg). From that point on Word handles it automatically.
Google Docs
In Google Docs, go to Insert → Special Characters, search for “degree,” and click it to insert. For repeated use, Google Docs doesn’t have a built-in text expansion feature, so the cleanest solution is to use your operating system’s method — Option + Shift + 8 on Mac, Alt + 0176 on Windows — which works inside Docs just like anywhere else.
The One to Remember for Each Platform
| Platform | Fastest Method |
|---|---|
| Windows | Alt + 0176 (numpad) |
| Mac | Option + Shift + 8 |
| iPhone / iPad | Hold the 0 key |
| Android | Hold the 0 key |
| Chromebook | Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00b0 |
| Linux | Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00b0 |
| Microsoft Word | Type 00B0 then Alt + X |
The Bottom Line
The fastest permanent solution on any platform is a text expansion shortcut. Set it up once — mapping something like degc to °C — and you’ll never think about it again. On Mac, the built-in keyboard shortcut is good enough that you may not even need that.
For one-off needs, the long-press on the 0 key works on every mobile device, and Option + Shift + 8 handles it instantly on any Mac. Windows is the only platform where the answer is slightly awkward, and even there a text expander removes the friction permanently.
Type it once the hard way, then set up a shortcut so you never have to do it the hard way again.
Meet Ry, “TechGuru,” a 36-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.
Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.