The fastest way: Alt code on any Chromebook keyboard

On a Chromebook, hold Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 00b0, then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol (°) will appear. This works in any text field — email, documents, spreadsheets, forms — because it uses Unicode input, which is built into Chrome OS itself.

The sequence takes about three seconds once you memorize it. The numbers you type are zero, zero, b, zero — the "b" is a letter, not a number. If nothing appears, you likely typed a number instead of the letter b, or you pressed Space before finishing the code.

This method works on any Chromebook, whether you have a physical keyboard attached or you are using the built-in keyboard. It does not require any settings changes or app downloads.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space to insert a degree symbol on any Chromebook.
  • The Unicode method works in Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and any other text field on the web.
  • If you type frequently in Celsius or Fahrenheit, you can create a text shortcut in Chrome OS settings to type the symbol faster.
  • External keyboards connected to a Chromebook use the same Ctrl + Shift + U method — no special drivers needed.

Setting up a text shortcut for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol often — for temperature readings, scientific notation, or angle measurements — you can create a shortcut that replaces a short phrase with the symbol. Open your Chromebook settings, go to Languages and input, then Input method, and select US English (or your language). Look for Manage input methods or Text correction.

In that section, find Add custom dictionary entry or Manage shortcuts. Create a new entry where typing something like deg automatically becomes °. The exact menu location varies slightly depending on your Chrome OS version, but the principle is the same: you are teaching your Chromebook to replace a short code with the symbol.

Once set up, you can type deg followed by a space, and the degree symbol appears when ready. This is faster than the Unicode method if you use it multiple times per day.

Using Google Docs special characters menu

If you are working in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, you can insert the degree symbol without memorizing any codes. Click Insert in the menu, then Special characters. A search box appears. Type degree and the symbol shows up when ready. Click it to insert it at your cursor.

This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but requires no memory. It is useful if you only need the symbol once or twice in a document. The special characters menu also shows you related symbols — like the superscript circle (ᵒ) or the ring above (˚) — in case you need a variation.

Why the Unicode method works on Chromebook

Chromebooks run Chrome OS, which includes Unicode input as a standard feature. Unicode is a system that assigns a unique code to every character in every language — the degree symbol is U+00B0, which is why you type 00b0 after Ctrl + Shift + U. This is not a Chromebook-only feature; the same method works on Linux and some other systems.

The advantage for Chromebook users is that you do not need to install special software or change your keyboard layout. The feature is always available, whether you are using the built-in keyboard, a USB keyboard, or a Bluetooth keyboard. It works offline too, so you can type the symbol even if your internet is down.

External keyboards and the degree symbol

If you have plugged a physical keyboard into your Chromebook — USB, Bluetooth, or USB-C — the Ctrl + Shift + U method still works exactly the same way. The keyboard layout (QWERTY, DVORAK, or other) does not matter; the Unicode input system bypasses the keyboard layout entirely.

Some external keyboards have dedicated keys or key combinations for special characters. If your keyboard has a manual, check whether it offers a degree symbol shortcut. However, the Chromebook's built-in Unicode method will always work as a backup, so you are never stuck.

Troubleshooting when the symbol does not appear

If you press Ctrl + Shift + U and nothing happens, the most common cause is that you are in a text field that does not support Unicode input — some older web forms or specialized apps may not recognize the code. Try the method in a different app, like Google Docs or Gmail, to confirm it works on your Chromebook.

If the symbol appears as a box or a question mark instead of °, the text field or app does not recognize the Unicode character. This is rare on modern websites, but it can happen in very old forms or in some specialized software. In that case, copy and paste the degree symbol from another source: search "degree symbol" in your browser, copy it from the results, and paste it where you need it.

If you set up a text shortcut and it is not working, open Settings, go to Languages and input, and confirm the shortcut was saved. Sometimes the shortcut only works in certain apps (like Google Docs) and not in others (like Gmail). If that is the case, fall back to the Ctrl + Shift + U method for those apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol method work on a Chromebook tablet?

On a Chromebook tablet without a physical keyboard, the Ctrl + Shift + U method does not work because there is no Ctrl key on the on-screen keyboard. Use the Google Docs special characters menu instead, or copy and paste the symbol from a search result. If you attach a Bluetooth keyboard to your tablet, the Unicode method works again.

Can I type the degree symbol in Google Sheets formulas?

Yes. The Unicode method works in any cell or formula bar in Google Sheets. If you are building a formula that includes the degree symbol as text (like concatenating "25°C"), type the symbol using Ctrl + Shift + U, then continue with your formula. The symbol will be treated as a regular character.

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

The Unicode method works for any character. Copyright is Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00a9. Trademark is Ctrl + Shift + U, then 2122. You can search "Unicode [character name]" to find the code for almost any symbol. Alternatively, use the Google Docs special characters menu, which has a searchable list of thousands of symbols.

Will my text shortcut for the degree symbol sync across my Chromebook accounts?

Text shortcuts you create in Chrome OS settings are tied to your Google account and sync across all Chromebooks you sign into with that account. If you sign into a different Chromebook with the same account, your degree symbol shortcut will be there automatically.