The degree symbol is in the numbers keyboard, one swipe away

On iPhone, the degree symbol (°) lives in the numbers and punctuation keyboard, not the main letter keyboard. To find it: tap the 123 key to switch to the numbers view, then tap and hold the 0 (zero) key. A small menu pops up showing the degree symbol as the first option. Tap it and you're done. The whole action takes about two seconds once you know where to look.

This works the same way on iPad and iPod Touch. The method is identical whether you're typing in Safari, Mail, Notes, or any other app that uses Apple's standard keyboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the 123 key to reach the numbers keyboard, then hold down the 0 key to reveal the degree symbol menu.
  • The degree symbol appears as the first option in the popup menu that appears when you hold 0.
  • This method works in any app on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch that uses the standard Apple keyboard.
  • If you type the degree symbol often, you can add it to your text shortcuts so it appears when you type a custom abbreviation.

Using text shortcuts to type the degree symbol faster

If you type temperatures, angles, or coordinates regularly, creating a text shortcut saves time. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, then tap the + button in the top right. In the Phrase field, paste the degree symbol (you can copy it from any text you've already typed). In the Shortcut field, type something short and memorable — many people use deg or dg.

Once you save it, typing deg followed by a space will automatically replace it with °. The shortcut works across all your Apple devices if you use the same iCloud account, so it syncs to your iPad and Mac automatically.

Why the degree symbol is grouped with the 0 key

Apple places the degree symbol on the 0 key because the two characters look similar and are used in related contexts — temperatures, coordinates, and mathematical notation all rely on both numbers and the degree symbol. Grouping them together means fewer menus to dig through. The same logic applies to other keys: holding the period gives you an ellipsis (…), and holding the comma gives you other punctuation marks.

This design choice is consistent across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, so once you learn where one symbol lives, you can find similar ones by holding down nearby keys.

Copying and pasting the degree symbol from elsewhere

If you need the degree symbol right now and can't remember the hold-0 trick, the fastest route is to copy it from somewhere else. Search "degree symbol" in Safari, find one on a webpage, tap and hold it, and select Copy. Then tap in your text field and paste it. This takes longer than the hold-0 method, but it works if you're stuck.

You can also keep a note in your Notes app with just the degree symbol in it, then copy from that note whenever you need it. Some people do this for other symbols they use infrequently.

Typing the degree symbol on third-party keyboards

If you use a third-party keyboard like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Microsoft Swiftly, the location of the degree symbol may differ. Gboard places it in the symbols menu (usually accessed by tapping a ?123 or similar button), then looking for a more or + option. SwiftKey typically includes it in the main punctuation row once you switch to the numbers view.

The fastest way to find it in any third-party keyboard is to tap the settings or menu icon within that keyboard app and search for "degree" or "symbol" in the help section. Most third-party keyboards also support custom shortcuts, so you can set up deg to expand to ° just as you would in Apple's keyboard.

Dictating the degree symbol instead of typing it

Siri and iPhone's dictation feature can type the degree symbol if you say "degree symbol" or "degrees" aloud. Tap the microphone icon on your keyboard, speak your text, then say "degree symbol" when you need it. Dictation inserts the actual ° character, not the words "degree symbol."

This method works best if you're already dictating the rest of your message — switching between typing and dictation for a single symbol is slower than just holding the 0 key. But if you're dictating a full sentence like "Set the oven to 350 degrees," Siri usually interprets "degrees" correctly and inserts the symbol automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add the degree symbol to my iPhone keyboard as a dedicated key?

No, iPhone doesn't let you customize which keys appear on the main keyboard layout. Your only options are using the hold-0 menu, creating a text shortcut, or using dictation. Third-party keyboards may offer more customization, but even they can't add a dedicated key to the standard layout.

Why doesn't the degree symbol appear when I hold other number keys?

Apple only attaches symbol menus to specific keys where the symbols are commonly used together. The 0 key gets the degree symbol because both are used in temperatures and measurements. Other keys like 1, 2, or 3 don't have related symbols, so holding them does nothing.

Does the degree symbol work in all apps?

Yes, the degree symbol works in any app that accepts text input — email, messages, notes, web forms, social media, and more. It's a standard character that every app recognizes. Some apps may display it slightly differently depending on their font, but it will always appear as °.

Can I use the degree symbol on my Mac the same way?

No, Mac uses a different method. On Mac, hold Shift + Option and press 8 to type the degree symbol. If you've set up the same text shortcut on your Mac (Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements), that shortcut will work on both devices.

What if I need a superscript zero instead of a degree symbol?

A superscript zero (⁰) is different from the degree symbol (°) and requires a different method. You can copy a superscript zero from a webpage or use a Unicode keyboard app, but iPhone's standard keyboard doesn't include it in the hold-0 menu. Text shortcuts work for superscript zero too — just copy one, paste it into your shortcut phrase, and assign an abbreviation.