How to Insert the Degree Symbol ° on Linux

How to Insert the Degree Symbol ( ° ) on Linux

by Heinz Tschabitscher | Jan 9, 2026 | Useful Tech

Tired of spelling out “degrees” every time? Wondering how to shorten “degrees Celsius” in style? Find out here how to insert the degree symbol ( ° ) on Linux using Gnome and KDE (as well as the symbols for ℃ and ℉).

How to Insert the Degree Symbol ( ° ) on Linux

Using the Keyboard (US-English Macintosh Layout)

Time needed: 1 minute

To type the symbol for degrees ( ° ) using the keyboard on a Linux computer:

  1. Add the US-English (Macintosh) keyboard layout and switch to it for the current application.

    Here’s why: Unlike the standard English (US) keyboard layout, the Mac layout includes a shortcut for the degree symbol.
    Here’s how: Both Gnome and KDE let you add and change keyboard layouts comfortably.

  2. Place the text cursor where you want to insert the degree sign ( ° ).

    Here’s where: For degrees of temperature, for instance, follow the number with a non-breaking space, then the degree symbol, which is followed by the letter to represent the scale.
    Example: I think espresso should be prepared at 203 °F, not one degree more or less.
    Temperature symbols: As an alternative, you can also use Unicode temperature symbols that combine the degree sign and letter; see below.

  3. Press AltGr 0.

    No “AltGr”: If you have no AltGr key (e.g., appropriately using a Mac keyboard), press Option 0.
    The degree symbol ° on the US-English (Macintosh) keyboard layout for Linux

  4. Optional: Switch back to the US-English keyboard layout.

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Using the “Compose” Key

You need not switch keyboard layouts to insert the degree symbol fast, though — no matter the keyboard and layout.

To input the degree symbol on a Linux machine using the Compose key:

  1. Define a Compose key and enable it for input.
  2. Put the text cursor where the degree symbol is to appear; see above.
  3. Press Compose.
  4. Now type oo (two times the small letter ‘o’).
    Here’s what happens: The two letters oo will be replaced with the degree sign °.

Speaking of Macintoshes: How to Type the Degree Symbol ( ° ) on a Mac Keyboard

Using a Character Picker

To copy a degree symbol for pasting using a character picker on Linux using KDE or Gnome:

  1. Launch Gnome Characters or KDE KCharSelect.
  2. Search for degree.
  3. Pick and copy the desired degree symbol ‘°’, ‘℃’, or ‘℉’.

Also has a character picker: How to Make the Degree Symbol on Windows

How to Insert the Degree Symbol ( ° ) on Linux: FAQ

Can I insert the degree sign (or degrees Celsius ℃) using Unicode?

Yes.

To enter the degree symbols using Unicode code points on Linux:

  1. Press Ctrl Shift U.
  2. Type 00B0 for the degree character '°'.
    Celsius: Use 2103 for the degrees Celsius symbol ‘℃’.
    Fahrenheit: Write 2109 for degrees Fahrenheit ‘℉’.
  3. Press Enter.
    Typing “2103” with Ctrl-Shift-U to insert degrees Celsius using Unicode on Linux

Can I copy the degree symbol for pasting here?

Yes.

Copy the desired degree symbol from the table below.

Degree sign °
Degrees Fahrenheit sign ℉
Degrees centigrade sign ℃

A font does not include the symbol for degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius; what can I do?

if a font lacks the symbol for ℉ or ℃, you can do the following:

  • Change the font just for the symbol; a typeface from the Noto family might work, for example.
  • Combine the degree symbol ° with the letters C or F.
    Example: On a mountain, water will boil at less than 100 °C.
  • Use the words degree and degrees instead of other symbol °.
    Example: The chocolate is 87 degrees F, you can take it off the stove.

(Tested with Gnome 47–49 and KDE Plasma 6; first published March 2025, last updated January 2026)

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