The degree symbol (°) on Windows, Mac, and Linux

The degree symbol does not have its own key on most keyboards, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut or character menu. The method depends on your operating system — Windows, Mac, and Linux each have a different fastest route.

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt. The symbol appears when ready. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops — use the Alt code method or the character map instead.

On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. This is the fastest method and works in any program. If that does not work, your keyboard layout may be different; try the character viewer instead.

On Linux, the method varies by desktop environment and input method. The most reliable approach is to use the character map process (called Character Map, GNOME Characters, or KCharSelect depending on your system) and search for "degree sign".

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to produce the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any program.
  • On Linux, open your system's character map process and search for "degree sign" to copy and paste it.
  • If a keyboard shortcut does not work, your keyboard layout or input method may be different — the character map method works on all systems.
  • The degree symbol is useful for temperature, angles, and geographic coordinates, and works in email, documents, and web forms.

Windows: Alt code method

The numeric keypad is the cluster of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. To type the degree symbol, make sure Num Lock is on (a light on the keyboard usually indicates this), then hold down the Alt key and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. When you release Alt, the degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

This method works in any Windows program — email, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and text editors. The code 0176 is specific to the degree symbol; other symbols have different codes, but degree is the one you will use most often.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad (many laptops do not), you have two alternatives. First, try holding Fn (function key) while typing the numbers on the top row of your keyboard — some laptops map the numeric keypad to these keys. Second, use the Character Map process: press Windows key + R, type charmap, and search for "degree sign" in the window that opens. Click it, click Copy, then paste it where you need it.

Mac: Shift + Option + 8

On Mac, the degree symbol shortcut is consistent across all keyboards and all programs. Hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in Mail, Pages, Numbers, web browsers, and any other program where you type text.

If Shift + Option + 8 does not produce the degree symbol, your keyboard layout may be set to something other than U.S. English. Check System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources to see what layout is active. If you use a non-English layout, the shortcut may be different; in that case, use the Character Viewer instead.

To open the Character Viewer, press Control + Command + Space (or go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and enable "Show Input menu in menu bar", then click the flag icon and select Character Viewer). Search for "degree" and double-click the symbol to insert it.

Linux: Character map process

Linux does not have a single standard keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol because different desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, Xfce, and others) handle input differently. The most reliable method is to use your system's character map process.

Open your process menu and search for "character" or "characters". You may find an app called Character Map, GNOME Characters, KCharSelect, or Gucharmap depending on your desktop. Open it, search for "degree" in the search box, and the degree symbol will appear. Click it to select it, then click Copy. Go to the program where you need the symbol and paste it with Ctrl + V.

If you use a specific input method (such as Fcitx or IBus for non-Latin scripts), that system may have its own character picker. Check your input method settings if the character map does not appear in your process menu.

When to use the degree symbol

The degree symbol is standard for temperature (72°F or 22°C), angles in geometry and navigation (45° angle, bearing 180°), and geographic coordinates (40.7128°N, 74.0060°W). It also appears in some scientific and technical writing.

In most word processors and email programs, you can also type the word "degree" and let autocorrect replace it with the symbol — check your autocorrect settings to see if this is already enabled. This is faster than the keyboard shortcut if you type the symbol often.

Troubleshooting: Shortcut does not work

If the keyboard shortcut produces nothing or the wrong symbol, the most common causes are Num Lock being off (Windows), keyboard layout being set to non-English (Mac), or the program not accepting the input method (any system).

On Windows, check that Num Lock is on — the light on your keyboard should be lit. On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and confirm U.S. English (or your language) is selected. On any system, if the shortcut fails in one program but works in another, that program may have input restrictions — try pasting the symbol from the character map instead of typing it.

If you type the degree symbol often, consider adding it to your autocorrect dictionary or creating a text expansion shortcut in your system settings. This is faster than the keyboard shortcut and works the same way in every program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

Yes. On iPhone, hold the 0 (zero) key on the number pad and swipe to the degree symbol. On Android, open the symbols keyboard and search for the degree symbol, or long-press the 0 key if your keyboard supports it. The exact method depends on your keyboard app.

What is the difference between the degree symbol and the superscript o?

The degree symbol (°) is a single character designed for temperature and angles. A superscript o is the letter o made smaller and raised. They look similar but are different characters. Use the degree symbol for temperature and angles; use superscript o only if you are writing ordinal numbers like 1st, 2nd, 3rd in a format that requires it.

Why does the Alt code 0176 not work on my Windows laptop?

Laptops often do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try holding Fn and typing the numbers on the top row of your keyboard, or use the Character Map process instead. Open it by pressing Windows key + R, typing charmap, and searching for "degree sign".

Can I copy and paste the degree symbol from somewhere else?

Yes. You can copy the degree symbol from any website, document, or character map, then paste it wherever you need it. This works on all systems and is useful if you cannot remember the keyboard shortcut. Paste with Ctrl + V on Windows and Linux, or Command + V on Mac.

Does the degree symbol work in spreadsheets and databases?

Yes. The degree symbol works in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, and most database programs. Use the same keyboard shortcut or character map method as you would in any other program. In some spreadsheets, you may want to format the cell as text first to prevent the program from interpreting the symbol as a formula.