Where Degree Symbol iPhone: How to Type °
Learn practical steps to insert the degree symbol on iPhone, using long-press, symbol keyboard, text replacement, and reliable backups for consistent results.
To insert the degree symbol on iPhone, use a fast long-press on the 0 key, switch to the symbol keyboard, or set a text replacement. The quick guide below covers where degree symbol iphone users typically find and type °, plus backup methods.
What is the degree symbol and why it matters on iPhone
The degree symbol (°) is a small circle used for temperature, angles, and geographic coordinates. On iPhone, you’ll encounter it in notes, emails, math apps, and maps. For many readers asking where degree symbol iphone, having a fast way to insert ° reduces interruptions and keeps your workflow smooth. This article explains what the symbol means across science, education, and everyday life, and provides practical, step-by-step methods to type ° quickly in Messages, Notes, web forms, and more. We’ll compare long-press, symbol keyboard access, and text replacement, and share tips for reliability across apps and languages.
Throughout this guide, you’ll see clear, actionable instructions designed for students, researchers, designers, and curious readers who want consistent access to the degree symbol on iPhone.
Quick access: long-press the 0 method
The fastest way to insert ° in many apps is via a long-press on the 0 key in the numeric keyboard. Press and hold 0; a small pop-up menu should appear showing extra symbols, including °. Without lifting your finger, slide to select the degree symbol and release. This method works in Messages, Notes, Safari, and most other text fields on iPhone. If ° isn’t visible, confirm you’re using the standard iOS keyboard (not a third-party keyboard) and that your device runs a recent iOS version.
Using the symbol keyboard on iPhone
In addition to the long-press trick, you can access a broader set of symbols directly through the keyboard. Tap the 123 key, then tap the #+= key to reveal more symbols. Scroll or search until you find the degree symbol (°) and tap it to insert. If ° is not immediately visible, you may need to add or enable a symbol set by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and adding a new keyboard. This route is especially helpful in apps that don’t support the long-press option.
Text replacement and shortcuts
Text replacement is a reliable, universal method across apps. Open Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement and create a new entry. In Phrase, insert the degree symbol (°); in Shortcut, enter a short string such as deg or dgr. When you type the shortcut, iPhone expands it to ° automatically. This is particularly useful in notes, emails, and documents where you want ° to appear consistently without memorizing multiple steps.
Copy-paste and backups you can rely on
If you’re in a hurry or in an app that restricts keyboard access, copy the degree symbol from another source (for example, a note or a web page) and paste it where needed. You can also save a dedicated page or document with the symbol for quick copy-paste. Keeping a few reliable sources handy minimizes interruptions and ensures you can insert ° even when key methods fail.
App-specific notes: messaging, notes, and browsers
Some apps treat symbols differently. In Messages and email, long-press and symbol keyboard typically work well; in browser text fields, the same methods apply, but you may encounter auto-correct changes or font issues. If you notice inconsistencies, switching to the standard iOS keyboard or enabling a secondary symbol keyboard often corrects behavior. Always verify that the symbol renders correctly in the target app before sending or saving.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you cannot see the degree symbol: (1) ensure you are using the default iPhone keyboard and not a custom one that hides alternate symbols; (2) check for iOS updates, as newer versions improve symbol access; (3) reset your keyboard settings if needed; (4) try a text replacement or copy-paste workaround as a fallback. For people with accessibility needs, consider adjusting display size or enabling Speak Selection to confirm the symbol is correct.
Accessibility and language considerations
The degree symbol is universal, but fonts and rendering can vary by language and region. If you frequently type ° in multilingual work, consider creating separate text replacements for different languages or using a global keyboard with symbol sets. For visually impaired users, enabling larger text or bold fonts can improve recognition while typing °.
AUTHORITY SOURCES
- Official Apple Support: https://support.apple.com
- Unicode Consortium: https://www.unicode.org
- Web Standards: https://www.w3.org
Best practices for consistent results
Always verify the degree symbol renders correctly in the target app. Prefer long-press or symbol keyboard for quick insertion, but supplement with text replacement for speed and consistency. Keep your iPhone updated to ensure access to the latest symbol sets and keyboard improvements. Develop a fallback habit (copy-paste or shortcut) to handle apps that don’t expose ° reliably.
Additional resources and references
For deeper typography context and cross-platform comparisons, refer to Unicode standards and mobile keyboard documentation. The degree symbol is a small but widely used character that benefits from predictable input methods across devices and apps.
Tools & Materials
- iPhone with iOS 13+(Older iOS versions may have fewer symbol options; update to access the latest keyboard features.)
- Settings app(Needed to configure text replacement and keyboard options.)
- Active internet connection(Useful for downloading language packs or keyboard updates if prompted.)
- Accessible text source for copy-paste(Keep a quick reference page with the ° symbol handy.)
Steps
Estimated time: 15-20 minutes
- 1
Open an app and bring up the keyboard
Launch any app that accepts text input, such as Messages or Notes, to bring up the iPhone keyboard. This is your starting point for all degree symbol methods.
Tip: Ensure the keyboard is in the standard mode (not voice input) to access symbol options. - 2
Switch to the numeric keypad
Tap the 123 key to switch from the alphabetic keyboard to the numeric and symbol layout. This prepares you for the long-press trick and symbol access.
Tip: If you don’t see 123, your current keyboard may be customized; reset keyboard settings if needed. - 3
Long-press the 0 key
Press and hold the 0 key on the numeric keypad. A small pop-up menu should appear with additional symbols, including °.
Tip: Keep your finger on the screen until the pop-up appears; lifting early may close the menu. - 4
Slide to select the degree symbol
Without lifting, slide your finger to the degree symbol and release to insert it at the cursor location.
Tip: If ° isn’t visible, continue to hold and move slowly; some keyboards display more options as you pause. - 5
Use the symbol keyboard (alternative path)
Tap 123, then #+= to reveal more symbols. Locate ° and tap to insert.
Tip: If you don’t see it, add a second symbol keyboard via Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. - 6
Enable or add a symbol keyboard
If necessary, add a keyboard that includes symbol sets to access ° more reliably across apps.
Tip: After adding, switch keyboards from the globe icon on the bottom row. - 7
Create a text replacement shortcut
Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement and create a shortcut like deg for °.
Tip: Choose a short, memorable trigger that won’t collide with common words. - 8
Test across apps
Try inserting ° in Messages, Notes, and a browser text field to verify consistency.
Tip: If a field doesn’t accept input, try switching keyboards or using a text replacement instead. - 9
Copy-paste as a fallback
Copy ° from a trusted source and paste it where needed when all other methods fail.
Tip: Keep a small note with ° handy for quick copying. - 10
Use Siri for a quick insert
Ask Siri to insert the degree symbol in a note or document when appropriate.
Tip: Voice input can vary in accuracy; verify the symbol after insertion. - 11
Validate rendering
Check that the symbol displays correctly in the target app and font.
Tip: Some fonts render ° slightly larger or smaller; adjust text size if needed. - 12
Adopt a quick-reference habit
Keep a ready method (long-press, symbol keyboard, or text replacement) as your default.
Tip: Consistency reduces typing time and errors over long documents.
Questions & Answers
What is the quickest way to insert the degree symbol on iPhone?
The fastest method is usually a long-press on the 0 key to reveal °, then sliding to select it. This works in most apps. If unavailable, use the symbol keyboard or a text replacement shortcut.
Use the 0 key long-press for the quickest insert, or switch to the symbol keyboard or a text shortcut for reliability.
Can I create a shortcut for ° that works everywhere on iPhone?
Yes. Use Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement to create a shortcut like deg that expands to ° in all apps.
Set a deg shortcut so typing deg automatically becomes the degree symbol.
What if ° doesn’t appear on the long-press menu?
Ensure you’re on the standard iOS keyboard, update iOS if available, or switch to the symbol keyboard path. If still missing, use copy-paste or a text replacement.
If the long-press menu is missing, switch keyboards or update iOS, then use alternative methods.
Does the degree symbol render the same across apps?
Rendering can vary by font and app. Always verify ° appears correctly in the target app, especially in design or typography projects.
Check how ° looks in each app you use, since font rendering can vary.
Is there a keyboard setting to always show symbols?
You can enable symbol sets by adding a symbol-enabled keyboard through Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. This helps access ° more reliably.
Add a symbol keyboard to have quicker access to °.
Can I insert ° on iPad or Mac using the same methods?
Most methods translate to iPadOS and macOS, with similar long-press and keyboard shortcuts. On Macs, you can use Option-Shift-8 or the degree symbol from the Emoji & Symbols viewer.
Yes, most methods work on iPad and Mac as well, with similar steps.
Watch Video
The Essentials
- Use long-press 0 for a fast symbol pop-up
- Enable a symbol keyboard for broader access
- Create a deg shortcut for quick inserts
- Test in multiple apps to ensure consistency
- Keep a copy-paste fallback as a backup
