How to type ° on every device
Windows: Alt+0176 on the numeric keypad (Alt+248 also works). Mac: Option+Shift+8. iPhone/iPad: long-press the 0 key on the number keyboard and slide to °. Android: switch to symbols (?123) then =\< — ° is on the second page. Word: Insert → Symbol, or type 00B0 then Alt+X. When you're on a device without a trick you remember, this page is the trick.
° vs ℃ vs superscript o
°C is two characters (degree sign + C); ℃ (U+2103) is a single compatibility character that fonts render slightly differently — both are correct, but mixing them in one document looks inconsistent. The common typo is a superscript letter o (o) or masculine ordinal (º): close at a glance, wrong in print, and coordinates written with them (40º) will annoy every cartographer who sees it. For geographic coordinates, the companions are prime marks: 40°26′46″N — minutes ′ (U+2032) and seconds ″ (U+2033), not apostrophes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alt code for the degree symbol?
Alt+0176 (hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, release). Alt+248 produces the same °. Laptop without a numpad: use Fn+NumLock, or copy from this page.
How do I type ° on iPhone?
Open the number keyboard (123), press and hold the 0 key, then slide up to the ° that pops out. It works in every app.
Is º (ordinal) the same as ° (degree)?
No — º is the Spanish/Portuguese masculine ordinal (1º = first), usually underlined in some fonts, while ° is the degree sign. They're neighbors on Mac keyboards, which is where most mix-ups start.
Should I write 25°C or 25 °C?
Style guides split: SI/ISO standards put a space before the unit (25 °C); most journalism and everyday writing closes it up (25°C). Pick one and be consistent — and never space inside °C itself.