How to type ○ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+9.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 9 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The white circle symbol ○ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "white circle". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ○, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ○ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for ○ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "white circle" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ○ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ○, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ○ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;white in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ○ anywhere.
How to type ○ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add ○ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ○ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 25CB where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ○.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 25CB in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9675) returns the symbol.
How to type ○ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "white circle" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9675).
○ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ○ |
| HTML decimal | ○ |
| HTML hex | ○ |
CSS content | "\25CB" |
| JavaScript | "\u25CB" |
| Python | "\u25CB" |
| LaTeX | \circ |
| URL encoded | %E2%97%8B |
Because ○ is a standard Unicode character (U+25CB), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the white circle symbol is used
It appears in checklists as an unchecked box, in text as a bullet symbol, or to mark an empty state, such as "○ Task pending" versus "● Task done". It is often confused with the degree sign (°) or the bullet point (•), though both are visually and functionally different.
Frequently asked questions
What does an empty white circle mean in a list? +
It usually means an unselected option, an unchecked item, or a pending status, especially when paired with a filled circle (●) for the completed or selected state.
Is the white circle the same as a degree symbol? +
No. The white circle (○) is larger and sits on the text baseline, while the degree sign (°) is smaller and raised, used for temperature or angles.
What is the Alt code for the white circle symbol? +
The Alt code for ○ is Alt+9. Hold Alt, type 9 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ○ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ○. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "white circle", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the white circle symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ○ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for ○? +
Use ○ in HTML. In CSS use content: "\25CB" and in JavaScript use "\u25CB".