The degree symbol (°) is a universally recognized typographic mark used to indicate measurements of temperature and angles. It is placed immediately after a number and is often followed by a scale indicator (e.g., "C" for Celsius or "F" for Fahrenheit) when referencing temperature. For example, "25°C" denotes 25 degrees Celsius. Similarly, in angular measurements, the degree symbol is used to define portions of a circle, such as "90°" for a right angle.

What is a Degree?

In temperature scales, a degree represents a unit of measurement, such as one-hundredth of the temperature difference between the freezing and boiling points of water on the Celsius scale. For angular measurements, degrees divide a circle into 360 equal parts, a practice rooted in ancient Babylonian mathematics.

The Kelvin scale is another temperature measurement system but does not use the degree symbol. Instead, temperatures are expressed as "Kelvin" with the letter "K" (e.g., "273.15 K").

Uses of the Degree Symbol

1. Temperature: Integral in scientific, culinary, and meteorological contexts.
2. Angles: Essential for geometric calculations and navigation.
3. Geographic Coordinates: Used to express latitude and longitude, pinpointing locations on Earth or other celestial bodies.

How to Type the Degree Symbol

Creating the degree symbol depends on the device and operating system:

• Windows: Press Alt + 0176 on the numeric keypad.
• Mac: Use Option + Shift + 8.
• Mobile Devices: Long-press the 0 key or access the symbol from the special characters menu.
• Table of Symbols: On Windows, open the Character Map (charmap.exe), locate the degree symbol, and copy-paste it.

For word processors like Microsoft Word, navigate to the "Insert" tab → "Symbol" → "More Symbols." Select the degree symbol from the list.

Degree Symbol in Context

The degree symbol's versatility extends to various fields:

• Mathematics: Defines angular measurements, enabling precise geometric calculations.
• Temperature: Essential for denoting measurements across scales such as Celsius and Fahrenheit.
• Geography: Expresses positions using latitude and longitude in navigation systems.

Symbol Origins

The degree symbol’s historical significance lies in its roots in the base-60 number system of ancient Babylonian astronomy. This division into 360 degrees remains central to how we measure and understand circles, navigation, and global positioning systems.

By integrating these details, the degree symbol emerges as more than just a mark—it represents a universal tool of precision across disciplines.