How to type the degree symbol on a Chromebook
To type the degree symbol on a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type b0 and press Space or Enter. ChromeOS converts the Unicode code B0 into °. It works in Google Docs, Gmail, Chrome and Android apps.
Quick answer
Ctrl + Shift + U, then b0, then Space.
Step by step
Press Ctrl + Shift + U
An underlined u appears where the cursor is, showing that ChromeOS is waiting for a code.
Type b0
Type the letter b and the digit zero. Case does not matter, and leading zeros (00b0) are optional.
Press Space or Enter
The underlined code turns into °.
Add the scale
Type C or F for temperatures, for example 72°F.
Why alt codes do not work
Alt + 0176 is a Windows feature. Chromebooks have no numeric-keypad alt codes, so ChromeOS uses Unicode input instead: Ctrl + Shift + U followed by the character’s hex code. Once you know it, the same method types any symbol. For example 2713 gives ✓, 20ac gives € and 2014 gives —. Our guide to typing symbols on a Chromebook lists the most useful codes.
If nothing happens
- Make sure the input method is a standard ChromeOS keyboard. Some third-party input tools intercept the shortcut.
- Press the keys together and release them before typing the code; the underlined u must appear first.
- Very old ChromeOS versions and a few web apps that capture keystrokes (remote desktops, some games) ignore it. Copy ° from the degree symbol page instead.
The emoji picker
Press Search (or Launcher) + Shift + Space to open the emoji picker, or right-click in a text field and choose Emoji. Recent ChromeOS versions include symbol sets in the picker as well as emoji, so you can search for “degree” there. It is slower than Unicode input, but it needs no code.
A keyboard layout with °
If you type accented letters often, adding a layout such as US International in Settings → Device → Keyboard → Inputs gives you AltGr combinations for many symbols. For a single character like °, the Unicode method is still quicker.
On other devices: Windows, Mac and Google Docs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the degree shortcut on a Chromebook?
Ctrl + Shift + U, then b0, then Space or Enter.
Why doesn’t Alt + 0176 work on my Chromebook?
Alt codes are a Windows feature. ChromeOS uses Ctrl + Shift + U with the hex code instead.
Does Ctrl + Shift + U work in Android apps on a Chromebook?
Yes, in most apps that accept normal keyboard input, because ChromeOS converts the code before the app receives it.