Typing a Degree Symbol in LaTeX

What is LaTeX?

Latex is a document preparation and creation program. It is especially used for the documents to be prepared for academic publications (thesis, article, column, scientific article, etc.). LaTeX is a labeling language used to create a document that looks good when printed from the printer. It is often used during the writing of scientific studies and is almost standard in the world of science.

Many people use many mathematical symbols on LaTeX. One of them is the symbol of degree. Now in this article we will explain how to use the degree symbol on LaTeX. You will be able to add the degree symbol with various packages via LaTeX. Let's start!

You can use the package siunitix to create degree symbol like this. However, there is no pre-defined command to represent the degree symbol in LaTex. However this problem can be easily solved by defining some commands in documents using package editor programmatically. There are different ways to create degree symbol in your documents like format <your-degree> using command 1 and format <your-degree> using function command 2. All the above methods will work in all chapters of your document but method 2 is better as it saves lot of time.

Three different LaTeX packages:

1- Using Siunitx package

We add this package first to our service. Then follow the steps below.

\documentclass{report}
\usepackage{siunitx}

Start the document.

\begin{document}

For example:

Degree symbol: 90\si{\degree}
\end{document}

We give a like request.

We print out 90°.

2- Using gensymb package

We will print the degree symbol using another package, gensymb.

First of all, we are loading our package again.

\documentclass{report}
\usepackage{gensymb}

Then begin the new document.

Then type your sentence. For instance,

The right angle is \ang{90}.

It will give us such a result.

The right angle is 90°.

3- Using textcomp package

As another method, let's get to know the last textcomp.

As in the examples above, we load our package first.

\documentclass{report}
\usepackage{textcomp}

We are again creating a new document.

\begin{document}

And we write the result in the format of the degree we want, for example

The round angle is \ang{360}.

It will give us such a result.

The round angle is 360.

Let's take a look at all the methods

gensymb

\usepackage{gensymb}
\begin{document}
The right angle is 90\si{\degree}.
\end{document}

textcomp

\usepackage{textcomp}
\begin{document}
The round angle is 360\si{\textdegree}.
\end{document}

siunitx

\usepackage{siunitx}
\begin{document}
Degree symbol: 45\si{\degree}.
\end{document}

circ

^{\circ}

Summary

As we mentioned in the examples, we introduced you the symbols of the degree in 3 different ways for LateX. If you have any questions or comments, you can use the comments section below.

Using LaTeX, we've shared the questions that people ask about some problems and sites that examine the use of degrees symbols with LaTeX. Hopefully it benefits your business.

LaTeX excels at precise typesetting for mathematical and scientific documents. While there's no built-in command for the degree symbol, several packages and methods make it straightforward to insert. This guide covers four proven methods that work in Overleaf, TeX Live 2025, and other LaTeX distributions.

The degree symbol is commonly used in LaTeX documents for angles (90°), temperatures (25°C), and geographic coordinates. Each method has its advantages depending on your document type and formatting requirements.

In math mode, use $25^\circ$ or ^{\circ} to create a superscript circle that represents the degree symbol. This method works without any additional packages and is perfect for quick documents.

Output: The basic superscript method produces 25°C and 90° with the circle properly positioned as a superscript.

The gensymb package provides the \degree and \deg commands, making it easy to type degree symbols in math mode. This package is ideal for geometry and angle measurements.

Installation: Add \usepackage{gensymb} in your document preamble. The package is included in most LaTeX distributions, including TeX Live and MiKTeX.

The siunitx package is the gold standard for typesetting units and temperatures in scientific documents. It automatically handles spacing according to ISO standards and provides commands like \ang{90} for angles and \SI{25}{\celsius} for temperatures.

Auto-Formatting: Siunitx automatically formats spacing between numbers and units according to international standards, ensuring professional-looking documents.

The textcomp package provides \textdegree, which works in text mode (outside math mode). This is useful for inline text where you don't want to enter math mode.

Best Practice: Use \textdegree for temperatures in running text, such as "The temperature reached 25\textdegree C today."

For advanced users, you can create a custom command that works everywhere in your document. Define \newcommand{\degree}{\textdegree} after loading the textcomp package, then use \degree throughout your document for consistency.

If you encounter compile errors, ensure the required packages are installed. Use tlmgr install gensymb (for TeX Live) or install packages through your LaTeX distribution's package manager.

Font Considerations: For Unicode support and better font rendering, consider using XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX instead of pdfLaTeX. These engines support Unicode characters directly, including the degree symbol (U+00B0).

Overleaf Users: All common LaTeX packages, including gensymb, siunitx, and textcomp, are pre-loaded in Overleaf, so you can use them immediately without installation.

Method 1: Basic Superscript (No Packages Required)

In math mode, use $25^\circ$ or ^{\circ} to create a superscript circle.
This method works without any additional packages and is perfect for quick documents.
Example: Temperature: $25^\circ$C produces 25°C.
Output: The basic superscript method produces 25°C and 90° with the circle properly positioned as a superscript.

Basic Superscript Method

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Temperature: $25^\circ$C \\
Angle: $90^\circ$
\end{document}

Method 2: Gensymb Package (Simple and Clean)

Add \usepackage{gensymb} in your document preamble.
Use \degree or \deg commands in math mode.
Example: $90\degree$ or $\angle ABC = 120\deg$ .
The package is included in most LaTeX distributions, including TeX Live and MiKTeX.

Gensymb Package Method

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{gensymb}
\begin{document}
$90\degree$ or $\angle ABC = 120\deg$
\end{document}

Method 3: Siunitx Package (Best for Units and Temperatures)

Add \usepackage{siunitx} in your document preamble.
Use \ang{90} for angles and \SI{25}{\celsius} for temperatures.
Auto-Formatting: Siunitx automatically formats spacing according to ISO standards.
This package is the gold standard for typesetting units and temperatures in scientific documents.

Siunitx Package Method

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{siunitx}
\begin{document}
\ang{30} or \SI{25}{\celsius}
\end{document}

Method 4: Textcomp Package (Text Mode)

Add \usepackage{textcomp} in your document preamble.
Use \textdegree in text mode (outside math mode).
Best Practice: Use for temperatures in running text, such as "The temperature reached 25\textdegree C today."
This is useful for inline text where you don't want to enter math mode.

Textcomp Package Method

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{textcomp}
\begin{document}
25\textdegree C
\end{document}

Advanced: Custom Command

After loading the textcomp package, define: \newcommand{\degree}{\textdegree}.
Now you can use \degree anywhere in your document for consistency.
This custom command works in both text and math modes.

Custom Command (Advanced)

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{textcomp}
\newcommand{\degree}{\textdegree}
\begin{document}
25\degree C
\end{document}

Troubleshooting

If you encounter compile errors, ensure packages are installed: tlmgr install gensymb (for TeX Live).
For Unicode support, use XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX instead of pdfLaTeX.
All common LaTeX packages are pre-loaded in Overleaf, so you can use them immediately.

Overleaf: How to Write a Degree Symbol in LaTeX

Official Overleaf documentation with examples and best practices for typing the degree symbol in LaTeX.

TeX Stack Exchange: Degree Symbol Discussion

Community discussion about different methods and packages for typing the degree symbol in LaTeX.

Last updated:11/08/2025