How Do I Type A Degree Sign? Simple Steps That Work
Okay, deep breaths, everyone. We're about to embark on a quest. A quest for a tiny, yet mighty, symbol. We're talking about the illustrious, the often-elusive, the utterly important degree sign. You know, that little circle thingy that makes temperatures proper and angles look smart. °.
Now, some of you might be thinking, "Is this really a thing? Do I need a degree sign?" And to you, I say, absolutely! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. This isn't some obscure piece of knowledge only for brainiacs. This is for everyone who's ever wanted to write "It's hot!" and have it look officially hot. Or maybe you're just trying to impress your friends with your sophisticated punctuation skills. Either way, you're in the right place.
Let's be honest, typing this little guy can feel like you're trying to unlock a secret level in a video game. You stare at your keyboard. You tap a few random keys. Nothing. Just a sad, lonely period or an overzealous apostrophe. It's enough to make you want to just draw it with a pen. But fear not! We're going to demystify this whole operation. It's simpler than you think. Probably.
We're going to focus on the most common methods. The ones that actually work without requiring a PhD in keyboard engineering. So, grab your favorite beverage. Get comfy. And let's conquer this degree sign once and for all.
First up, the classic Windows approach. This is for all you PC people out there. It's a little like a secret handshake. You’ll need two hands for this one, so ditch that single-handed typing style. Find your Alt key. It's usually on the left, or sometimes on the right. Look for the word "Alt". Got it? Good.
![How to Type Degree Symbol [°] in Word/Excel + (Keyboard Shortcuts](https://i1.wp.com/howtotypeanything.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1-how-to-type-degree-symbol-on-Mac.png?resize=1024%2C512&ssl=1)
Now, keep that Alt key pressed down. Don't let go. Imagine you're holding onto a precious, imaginary balloon. While you're still holding Alt, you need to use the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard. Not the numbers at the top. The ones that look like a calculator. You absolutely must use the numeric keypad. This is non-negotiable. If you don't have one, well, that's a whole other adventure. But for now, let's assume you do.
With Alt still held down, type the numbers 0176. That's zero, one, seven, six. Make sure you're typing them on the numeric keypad. Once you've typed those four little digits, release the Alt key. Poof! You should see your beautiful degree sign appear. Ta-da!
It’s like magic, but with math. And slightly less sparkle.
Now, let's talk about the Mac users. For you elegant Mac maestros, it's a different tune. Apple likes to keep things a bit more streamlined, a bit more… Apple-y. You'll still need your keyboard, of course. And you'll still need to press some keys together. It’s a coordinated effort.
This time, we're going to use the Option key. You know, the one with the little airplane symbol, or sometimes just "Option". Find it. Got it? Excellent.
While holding down the Option key, press the Shift key. Yes, both of them. This is where things get serious. Now, with both Option and Shift still firmly pressed, hit the number 8 key. The regular 8 key at the top of your keyboard. Not the numeric keypad. Just the one near the letter keys. Release all three keys. And voilà! Your degree sign should materialize.
Option + Shift + 8. It’s the secret password to coolness.
So, for Windows: Alt + 0176 (on the numeric keypad). For Mac: Option + Shift + 8. Simple, right? Well, maybe not instantly simple if you've never done it before. It takes a little practice. Like learning to ride a bike. You might wobble a bit at first.
There are other ways, of course. You can go into character maps, or copy-paste from websites. But honestly, who has time for that? We’re busy people. We need efficiency. We need to be able to type 30°C weather on the fly. Without having to hunt and peck through menus like a digital detective.
And for those of you who are thinking, "But I use my phone or tablet! What about me?" Well, good news! Most mobile keyboards have a way to access symbols. Often, you’ll find a ‘?123’ or ‘symbols’ key. Tap that. Then, you might need to tap another ‘symbols’ or ‘=\\<’ key. Somewhere in that sea of punctuation, you'll usually find the degree sign. It might be a bit hidden, but it's there. Just keep looking. It’s worth the hunt for that little circle.
My personal, slightly unpopular opinion? Typing the degree sign should be a right, not a privilege. It should be emblazoned on the very front of every keyboard. A big, friendly button that says, "Press me for degrees!" But alas, we live in a world of hidden shortcuts. And that's okay. Because now, you know the secrets.
So next time you’re tempted to write "It's 90 degrees out" and feel a pang of inadequacy, remember these simple steps. Go forth and punctuate with purpose! Make those temperatures proper. Make those angles accurate. And feel a little bit smug about your newfound skill. You’ve earned it. You’ve conquered the degree sign.