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 Messages, Mail, Notes, and any app that uses the standard iPhone keyboard.

This method is faster than any other route because the degree symbol is built into the zero key's long-press menu. You do not need to switch keyboards, open special menus, or remember a code. The symbol appears where your cursor is, ready for the next character.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the 0 key to see the degree symbol menu; tap the ° to insert it when ready.
  • If you type temperatures or measurements often, add the degree symbol to your text shortcuts in Settings so you can type a short code instead.
  • The Emoji keyboard also contains the degree symbol under the symbols section, though it takes more taps than holding zero.
  • Third-party keyboards like Gboard let you search for symbols by name, which helps if you forget where to find it.

Creating a text shortcut for the degree symbol

If you type the degree symbol regularly—for weather, cooking temperatures, or scientific notation—create a shortcut so you can type it with a few keystrokes. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Tap the + button in the top right.

In the Phrase field, paste the degree symbol (copy it from any text where you just typed it, or hold 0 and copy from the menu). In the Shortcut field, type something short and straightforward to remember—like "deg" or "°°". Tap Save. Now whenever you type your shortcut, your iPhone replaces it with the degree symbol automatically.

This shortcut works across all apps on your iPhone, including Mail, Messages, Notes, and web browsers. The shortcut does not trigger if the letters appear inside another word, so "deg" will not expand if you type "degree"—only when you type "deg" as its own unit.

Finding the degree symbol in the Emoji keyboard

Open the keyboard and tap the emoji button (the smiley face icon). Tap the symbols tab at the bottom (it looks like a calculator or grid of dots, depending on your iOS version). Scroll through the symbols until you find the degree symbol (°), then tap it.

This route works but requires more taps than holding the zero key. Use it only if the zero-key method is not working for some reason, or if you are already in the emoji keyboard for another reason.

Using a third-party keyboard

If you use Gboard, Microsoft SwiftKey, or another third-party keyboard, open the keyboard and look for a symbols or more button (usually marked with a grid icon or three dots). Many third-party keyboards let you search for symbols by typing their name—type "degree" and the symbol appears. Tap it to insert it.

Third-party keyboards are useful if you type many special characters and want to search by name rather than hunt through menus. They also often sync shortcuts across your devices if you use the same keyboard on iPad or Android.

Typing the degree symbol on iPad

The process is identical on iPad. Hold the 0 key on the on-screen keyboard, tap the degree symbol from the menu, or use text shortcuts the same way. If you use an external keyboard connected to your iPad, hold the 0 key on that keyboard—the same menu appears on screen.

If you have an external keyboard with a numeric keypad, holding 0 on the main keyboard section works; holding 0 on the numeric pad may not trigger the menu, depending on your keyboard model.

Why the degree symbol matters for different uses

The degree symbol is standard for temperature (72°F or 25°C), angles in geometry (a 90° angle), and geographic coordinates. Using the actual symbol instead of typing "deg" or "degrees" makes your text look professional and is the correct format for scientific or technical writing.

In casual texting, typing "72 degrees" is fine. But in emails, documents, or any formal context, the degree symbol is the expected format. Learning the zero-key shortcut takes seconds and saves you from having to remember where to find it later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does holding 0 not show the degree symbol menu?

Make sure you are holding the 0 (zero) key, not the letter O. The menu should appear after about one second. If it does not, try holding a bit longer. If your keyboard is set to a non-English language, the menu may show different symbols; switch to English temporarily or use the emoji keyboard instead.

Can I type the degree symbol on a physical keyboard connected to my iPhone?

Yes. Hold the 0 key on a Bluetooth keyboard and the degree symbol menu appears on your iPhone screen. Tap the symbol to insert it. Some external keyboards have their own degree symbol key, but holding 0 works universally.

Does the text shortcut work in all apps?

Text shortcuts work in most apps, including Mail, Messages, Notes, Safari, and most third-party apps. Some apps with their own text editors (like certain note-taking or writing apps) may not support system-wide shortcuts. If a shortcut does not work in a specific app, try using the zero-key method instead.

What if I need other special symbols like copyright or trademark?

Hold down other keys to see their symbol menus. For example, holding the C key shows the copyright symbol (©), and holding the R key shows the registered trademark symbol (®). The emoji keyboard also contains hundreds of special symbols organized by category.