℃ or °C: which one to use
Unicode includes ℃ mainly for compatibility with East Asian character sets, where it fits neatly into fixed-width text. Unicode itself notes that the sequence °C is normally preferred, and compatibility normalization turns ℃ into °C.
Use °C in English documents, websites, recipes and data. It matches the °F you may write next to it, works in every font, and is what people actually type and search for. Use ℃ when you are matching Chinese, Japanese or Korean text, or when a design needs one fixed-width glyph.
On spacing: NIST and the SI style put a space between the number and the unit, as in 20 °C. Everyday US writing often drops it, as in 72°F. Choose one style per document.
Converting Celsius and Fahrenheit
- °C to °F: multiply by 9/5 (1.8), then add 32. 25 °C × 1.8 + 32 = 77 °F.
- °F to °C: subtract 32, then multiply by 5/9. 350 °F − 32 = 318, and 318 × 5/9 ≈ 177 °C.
Handy reference points:
| °C | °F | Note |
|---|---|---|
| −40 | −40 | where the scales meet |
| 0 | 32 | water freezes |
| 20 | 68 | room temperature |
| 37 | 98.6 | typical body temperature |
| 100 | 212 | water boils at sea level |
Kelvin (K) takes no degree sign: 0 °C = 273.15 K. A single-character Fahrenheit sign ℉ also exists, with the same advice as ℃: prefer °F.
Typing °C on any device
- Windows: hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad for the degree sign, then type C.
- Mac: Option+Shift+8 gives °, then type C.
- iPhone: long-press 0 on the numbers keyboard to get °.
- LaTeX: with
siunitx,\SI{20}{\degreeCelsius}sets the number, the space and the unit correctly. - Excel: a custom number format such as
0.0 "°C"shows the unit while the value stays numeric for charts and formulas.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use ℃ or °C?
Use °C in English text. ℃ is a compatibility character used mostly in East Asian typesetting.
How do I type °C on Windows?
Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad for °, then type C.
How do I convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?
Multiply by 1.8 and add 32. For example, 30 °C is 86 °F.
Is there a space before °C?
In scientific and SI style, yes: 20 °C. In everyday US writing, 20°C is also common.
Unicode data: Unicode Character Database 18.0.0 (unicode.org).