Degree (°) in LaTeX
In math mode the degree sign is written as a superscript circle, ^{\circ}, so ninety degrees is 90^{\circ}. It is used for angles and temperatures.
LaTeX command
^{\circ}Not the symbol you meant? Draw it to find the command →
There is no dedicated degree command in core math mode; the convention is to raise the \circ symbol as a superscript, giving ^{\circ}. So renders as ninety degrees. The \circ glyph is a small ring, and placing it in the superscript position sets it at the correct height and size for a degree mark.
For temperatures, attach the unit with an upright letter: 37^{\circ}\mathrm{C}. Using \mathrm keeps the C or F upright rather than italic, matching unit conventions. In text mode (outside the math delimiters) LaTeX offers \textdegree, and the siunitx package provides \ang{90} and \SI{37}{\celsius} for automatic, correctly spaced output.
Keep the whole mark in one superscript group. Write 90^{\circ} with the braces, and avoid pasting the literal degree character in source unless your encoding and packages support it; ^{\circ} is the portable, KaTeX-safe choice.
Examples
$90^{\circ}$a right angle
$37^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$a temperature in Celsius
$\angle ABC = 60^{\circ}$a labelled angle
$\sin 30^{\circ} = \tfrac{1}{2}$a trig value in degrees
$\theta = 45^{\circ}$an angle in degrees
Tips and common mistakes
- In math mode always use ^{
\circ}; there is no\degreein core LaTeX or KaTeX. - Keep units upright: write 37^{
\circ}\mathrm{C}, not 37^{\circ}C, so the C is not italicised. - For heavy use of units and angles in full LaTeX, the siunitx package (
\ang,\SI) handles spacing and formatting automatically. \textdegreeworks in text mode; inside math delimiters use ^{\circ} instead.- Brace the superscript as ^{
\circ} so nothing else is accidentally raised.
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Convert your maths to LaTeX →FAQ
How do I type the degree symbol in LaTeX math mode?
Write it as a superscript circle: . There is no separate degree command in core math mode.
How do I write degrees Celsius?
Use . The \mathrm keeps the C upright, as unit conventions require.
Is there a \degree command?
Not in core LaTeX or KaTeX. Use ^{\circ} in math mode, \textdegree in text mode, or \ang from the siunitx package in full LaTeX.