The Complete Guide to Finding the Degrees Symbol on Keyboard

Introduction to the Degrees Symbol

The degrees symbol (°) is a small, raised circle often used in temperature readings, angles in geometry, and geographic coordinates. It’s a vital character for scientists, mathematicians, and many professionals. However, it can be tricky to locate and insert using your keyboard, as it’s not a standard key like letters or numbers. This guide will walk you through easy methods to insert the degrees symbol on your keyboard across different devices and software.

By mastering a few keyboard shortcuts, you can quickly and efficiently add this important symbol to your work without having to search for it each time. Whether you’re writing a report, entering data, or working on a presentation, knowing how to swiftly include the degrees symbol can save time and enhance the professionalism of your documents. Let’s dive into various ways to achieve this on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices, as well as on popular word processors and text editors.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows

Inserting the degrees symbol on a Windows OS can be simple with the right keyboard shortcuts. Windows users have a couple of different methods at their disposal, ensuring that this vital symbol can be added to documents with minimal fuss.

Alt Code Method

To insert the degrees symbol using the Alt Code method, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Ensure your Num Lock is on. This will activate the number pad on your keyboard.
2. Hold down the ‘Alt’ key on your keyboard.
3. While holding the ‘Alt’ key, type ‘0176’ on the number pad.
4. Release the ‘Alt’ key, and the degrees symbol (°) should appear in your text.

This method is particularly useful in applications that do not have the degrees symbol readily accessible in the menu or for users who prefer keyboard interaction over mouse navigation.

Windows Character Map

Another method to insert the degrees symbol on keyboard is using the Windows Character Map:

1. Click on the start menu and search for ‘Character Map’.
2. Open the Character Map utility.
3. Look for the degrees symbol (°), which you can find by scrolling down the list or by selecting the ‘Advanced view’ checkbox and searching for ‘degree’.
4. Once you find the symbol, click on it and then click ‘Select’.
5. Click ‘Copy’, and then paste the symbol into your document wherever needed.

The Windows Character Map is an excellent alternative for users who may not be comfortable with memorizing codes or for those who need to insert symbols infrequently. It offers a visual interface to find and use various symbols, including the degrees symbol on keyboard.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac Users

Mac users can also easily insert the degrees symbol using keyboard shortcuts specific to macOS. Knowing the right shortcuts can enhance your efficiency and ensure you can include the symbol in your documents swiftly.

Option Key Method

To use the Option key method on Mac:

1. Position the cursor where you need the degrees symbol.
2. Press and hold the ‘Option’ key.
3. While holding the ‘Option’ key, press the ‘Shift’ key followed by the number ‘8’.
4. Release both keys, and the degrees symbol (°) will appear in your text.

This technique is quick and convenient, especially for those who frequently include the degrees symbol in their work.

Emoji & Symbols Viewer

Mac’s Emoji & Symbols viewer provides another way to insert the degrees symbol:

1. Place the cursor in the desired spot.
2. Press ‘Control + Command + Spacebar’ to open the Emoji & Symbols viewer.
3. Type ‘degree’ in the search bar to quickly locate the degrees symbol.
4. Double-click the degrees symbol (°) to insert it into your document.

The Emoji & Symbols viewer offers a user-friendly interface with a wide range of symbols. It’s ideal for those who don’t remember keyboard shortcuts or need access to other special characters.

Inserting Degrees Symbol on Mobile Devices

Inserting the degrees symbol on keyboard while using mobile devices is straightforward once you know the right steps. Both Android and iOS offer quick keyboard shortcuts to help you type the degrees symbol with ease. Here’s how you can do it on each platform.

iOS Keyboard Shortcuts

For users with an iPhone or an iPad, inserting the degrees symbol is just as simple:

1. Open the keyboard in any text input area.
2. Tap the ‘123’ key to switch to the numeric and symbols view.
3. Press and hold on the numer ‘0’ key.
4. A small pop-up will appear showing the degrees symbol.
5. Slide your finger onto the degrees symbol and release to place it in your text.

With these steps, you can conveniently add the degrees symbol to your work while on the go with your iOS device.

Utilizing Word Processors and Text Editors

When working with word processors or text editors, inserting the degrees symbol can often be more intuitive than memorizing keyboard shortcuts. The following are methods for two of the most commonly used platforms, Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word users have a very straightforward way of adding the degrees symbol on keyboard:

1. Click where you want the degrees symbol to go.
2. From the menu, select ‘Insert’ and then choose ‘Symbol’.
3. Look for the degrees symbol or type ’00B0′ in the ‘Character code’ box.
4. Click on the degrees symbol and select ‘Insert’.
5. The symbol will appear in your document.

This method is quick for those who work extensively on Word documents. It’s also great for users who prefer not to use key combinations.

Google Docs

Inserting the degrees symbol in Google Docs is just as simple. Here’s how:

1. Place the cursor in your document where the symbol is needed.
2. Click ‘Insert’ at the top of the page, then click on ‘Special characters’.
3. In the search box, type ‘degree’.
4. The symbol will show up in the results. Click on it to insert it into your document.

This process is user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to find and utilize special characters, including the degrees symbol, without memorizing codes. Whether you are drafting an academic paper, compiling a report, or any other activity that requires this symbol, these steps should help streamline the process.

Copying and Pasting from the Web

Sometimes the simplest way to include a degrees symbol on the keyboard is to copy it from the web. This method is quick and requires no memorization of shortcuts or codes. Here are easy steps to do it:

1. Search for the degrees symbol online or visit a webpage that contains it.
2. Highlight the degrees symbol (°) with your mouse.
3. Right-click and select ‘Copy’ or use the ‘Ctrl + C’ shortcut on Windows or ‘Command + C’ on Mac.
4. Navigate to the document where you need the symbol.
5. Right-click where you want to insert the symbol and select ‘Paste’, or use the ‘Ctrl + V’ on Windows or ‘Command + V’ on Mac.

This method works for most devices and is especially handy when you’re in a rush. However, always ensure that the font and style of the symbol matches your document to maintain consistency. It’s a reliable fallback for inserting the degrees symbol on keyboard if other methods are not available.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Inserting Degrees Symbol

While inserting the degrees symbol on keyboard should be straightforward with the techniques covered above, sometimes you might encounter problems. Here are some common issues and their quick fixes to ensure that you can insert the degrees symbol effortlessly.

Incorrect Symbol Appears

If an incorrect symbol appears instead of the degrees symbol, double-check that you’re using the right method:

• For Windows, ensure that you’re holding down the ‘Alt’ key while typing ‘0176’ on the number pad.
• On Mac, confirm you’re holding the ‘Option’ key and pressing ‘Shift’ and ‘8’ together.
• For mobile devices, make sure the correct alternate keyboard view is selected before looking for the symbol.

Num Lock is Off

Ensure that the Num Lock key is active if you’re using the Alt code method on Windows. If it’s off, pressing the numbers won’t input the correct code for the symbol.

Special Characters Menu is Missing

If you can’t find the special characters menu in your word processor:

• In Microsoft Word, go to ‘Insert’ > ‘Symbol’ > ‘More Symbols’.
• For Google Docs, click ‘Insert’ > ‘Special characters’, and then search for ‘degree’.

Can’t Copy and Paste from the Web

Unable to copy and paste the degrees symbol from the web? Make sure you’re selecting the symbol correctly and using the right shortcuts to copy (‘Ctrl + C’ or ‘Command + C’) and paste (‘Ctrl + V’ or ‘Command + V’).

By addressing these common issues, you should be able to insert the degrees symbol on keyboard in any situation without delay.