The fastest way: hold down the zero key

Press and hold the 0 (zero) key on your iPhone keyboard. After about a second, a menu appears showing the degree symbol (°) as the first option. Tap it and the symbol appears in your text.

This works in any app where you type — Messages, Mail, Notes, web browsers, social media. The hold-and-wait method is faster than hunting through menus once you know it exists.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the zero key for one second to see the degree symbol as your first option in the popup menu.
  • If you use the degree symbol often, you can add it to your iPhone's text shortcuts so typing "deg" auto-expands to °.
  • The symbol works the same way in every app — Messages, Mail, Notes, web browsers, and third-party keyboards.
  • On iPad, the process is identical; hold zero and tap the degree symbol from the menu that appears.

Using text shortcuts for repeated typing

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for weather, cooking temperatures, or technical writing — set up a text shortcut so you do not have to hold the zero key each time.

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Tap the + button in the top right. In the Phrase field, type the degree symbol (copy it from here: °). In the Shortcut field, type something short like "deg" or "°°". Save it. Now whenever you type "deg", your iPhone replaces it with °.

This shortcut syncs across all your Apple devices if you use the same iCloud account, so the shortcut works on your iPad and Mac too.

Why the zero key has the degree symbol

The degree symbol lives under the zero key because they look similar — both are circles. Apple groups related characters under single keys to keep the keyboard layout straightforward. The same principle applies to other keys: hold the period to find ellipsis (…), hold the hyphen to find en-dash and em-dash, hold the question mark to find inverted question marks for Spanish.

Once you know this pattern, you can discover other hidden symbols by holding down keys you use often. It is faster than digging through special character menus.

Copying and pasting if the hold method does not work

If your iPhone is not showing the degree symbol menu when you hold zero, or if you are in an app that does not support the hold-and-tap method, copy the symbol from another source. You can copy the degree symbol from this page (°), paste it into Notes, and then copy it again whenever you need it in another app.

Some older or third-party apps do not support the iOS character menu, so copying and pasting is a reliable backup. You can also search "degree symbol" in your web browser, copy it from the results, and paste it wherever you need it.

Using Siri or dictation if typing is difficult

If you use voice dictation on your iPhone, you can say "degree symbol" and Siri will type it for you. Open any text field, tap the microphone button on your keyboard, and say "degree symbol" or "degrees". Siri types the ° symbol into your text.

This method works best if you are dictating longer text and only need the symbol occasionally. For frequent use, the text shortcut method is faster because you do not have to wait for Siri to process your voice.

Degree symbol on third-party keyboards

If you use a third-party keyboard like Gboard, Swiftkey, or Fleksy, the degree symbol is usually in the numbers row. Switch to the numbers/symbols view by tapping the 123 or .?123 button, then look for the ° symbol. It is often on the same key as zero, or in a dedicated symbols menu.

Each third-party keyboard arranges symbols differently, so if you cannot find it in the numbers row, tap the keyboard's menu button (usually three dots or a gear icon) and search for "special characters" or "symbols". Most keyboards let you search for the symbol by name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol work in all apps?

The hold-and-tap method works in most apps, but some older or specialized apps do not support it. If it does not work, copy and paste the symbol instead. Text shortcuts work everywhere because they are a system-wide iPhone feature.

Can I use the degree symbol for Fahrenheit and Celsius?

Yes. Type the number, then the degree symbol, then the letter F or C. For example: 72°F or 25°C. Some people add a space between the symbol and the letter, and some do not — both are correct.

What if I need the degree symbol but do not have a keyboard showing?

Tap in the text field to bring up the keyboard, then use the hold-zero method. If the keyboard does not appear, try tapping the text field again or restarting the app.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol faster than holding zero?

The text shortcut method is faster once it is set up, because you only type two or three letters instead of holding and waiting. After the first setup, typing "deg" is quicker than the hold-and-tap method.

Does this work the same way on iPad?

Yes. Hold the zero key on the iPad keyboard and tap the degree symbol from the menu. Text shortcuts work on iPad too and sync with your iPhone if you use the same iCloud account.