Math symbol reference

Degree Sign °

Marks angular measure or, in context, temperature.

°
UnicodeU+00B0
LaTeX^\circ
HTML entity°
HTML decimal°
MathML<msup><mi></mi><mo>°</mo></msup>

Semantic identity and intent

Semantic type

operator

An operator, relation, connective, or notation mark whose meaning depends on its operands and context.

Primary search task

understand the operation or relation, see a valid example, and copy the correct notation

Geometry SymbolsCurrency and Measurement Symbols

MathML token

<mo>

Use ° with the operand structure shown in the examples. Preserve grouping, limits, spacing, and evaluation order when converting between formats.

Characters to distinguish

  • ∠ — Angle
  • π — Pi

Use ° in the right format

Meaning and usage

Marks angular measure or, in context, temperature.

Do not insert a space before it for angles; temperature style depends on the guide used.

Pronunciation: degree sign

Formula examples

90^\circ
25^\circ\mathrm{C}

How to type Degree Sign

Windows
Use Character Map or enter U+00B0 in a Unicode-aware app.
macOS
Open Character Viewer with Control–Command–Space and search by name.
Microsoft Word
Type ^\circ in an equation and press Space.
iPhone and iPad
Copy and paste °, or use a math/LaTeX app. The standard iOS keyboard may not expose every mathematical symbol.
Android
Copy and paste °, or use a math keyboard or LaTeX editor. Keyboard layouts vary by device and app.
Google Docs
For plain text, paste ° or use Insert → Special characters. For structured math, use the equation editor and verify ^\circ.
Excel
Paste ° into a cell or use Insert → Symbol when available. Ordinary cells preserve the character but do not interpret LaTeX commands.

Common mistakes

  • Preserve the orientation and decoration of °; in geometry a rotated, barred, or marked symbol can represent a different relation or object.
  • For plain text, copy ° as U+00B0; for structured equations, use ^\circ in math mode. A look-alike glyph or image can break search, accessibility, or parsing when the intended character is Degree Sign.

When to use °

  • Use ° in plain text when a Unicode character is appropriate and the destination preserves U+00B0.
  • Use ^\circ in an equation editor when mathematical spacing or structure matters.
  • Define the local meaning when Degree Sign is used in geometry, currency measurement with a field-specific convention.

Look-alikes and related characters

  • ∠ — Angle
  • π — Pi

Font and compatibility notes

Glyph shape can vary by font. Verify the code point after copying, and prefer LaTeX or MathML for structured equations.

Continue the workflow

From Degree Sign to a finished equation

  1. Copy the characterUse ° in plain text when Unicode is accepted.
  2. Choose a structured formatUse ^\circ for LaTeX or the MathML snippet for accessible web equations.
  3. Edit or convertOpen the value in the editor or converter without retyping it.

Review and source notes

Quality tier: core

Last reviewed: 2026-07-26

Review method: Checked Degree Sign against its Unicode identity, LaTeX representation, HTML serialization, MathML token, and copy-and-paste behavior.

Verified against: Unicode Standard, Unicode mathematical notation guidance, and established LaTeX/MathML syntax.

Reference sources

Frequently asked questions

What does the Degree Sign symbol mean?

Marks angular measure or, in context, temperature.

What is the LaTeX command for °?

Use ^\circ in a compatible math environment.

Can I copy ° as Unicode?

Yes. Use the copy button above to copy the Unicode character directly.

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