Degree Symbol and Temperature Formatting
The degree sign participates in different conventions depending on what is being measured. The BIPM SI Brochure places a space between a Celsius temperature value and °C, while plane-angle degree symbols follow the number without a space. The Unicode character identity is U+00B0 DEGREE SIGN.
In SI style, write “30.2 °C” for Celsius temperature, but “30°” for a plane angle.
Key details
Important caveats
Angle Boundary
For plane angle, the degree symbol is an exception to the normal number-unit spacing rule and is written directly after the number, such as “30°.”
Further guidance
Character Identity
The Unicode character used for the degree sign is U+00B0 DEGREE SIGN.
Temperature
The SI Brochure writes Celsius temperature with a space between the numerical value and the unit symbol, for example “30.2 °C,” with no space between ° and C.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition, version 4.01 (opens in a new tab)Bureau International des Poids et Mesures · SI conventions for unit symbols, Celsius temperature spacing, angle-degree notation, and multiplication notation
- Latin-1 Supplement — Unicode Names List (opens in a new tab)Unicode Consortium · Unicode character identities for degree sign, plus-minus sign, and multiplication sign