1-minute answer
° (degree sign, U+00B0) is for temperature and angles. º (masculine ordinal indicator, U+00BA) is for Spanish/Portuguese/Italian ordinals like 1º and 2º. They look nearly identical but are different characters with different meanings.
01 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform — not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
How to tell them apart
- ° is perfectly round and used after a number for degrees: 90°, 20°C.
- º sits closer to the baseline, often with an underline in some fonts, and follows a number for ordinal position: 1º, 2º piso.
Why it matters
- Screen readers announce them differently.
- Search and find-replace won't match one for the other.
- Using º for temperature is a common but incorrect substitution that some style guides flag.
02 FAQ
Which one should I use for '20 degrees'?
° (degree sign, U+00B0) — always, regardless of language.
Is there a separate feminine ordinal too?
Yes — ª (feminine ordinal indicator, U+00AA), used for 1ª, 2ª in Spanish/Portuguese/Italian.
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