The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on most keyboards, so you type it using a keyboard shortcut or a character menu. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops and compact keyboards — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process or type it directly in some programs through their Insert menu. The Mac and Linux shortcuts work on any keyboard layout.

The method you choose depends on how often you need the symbol and whether you are typing in a document, a web form, or a specialized program. For occasional use, the character menu is reliable. For frequent use, the keyboard shortcut becomes automatic.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to produce the degree symbol.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol on any keyboard.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space to insert the degree symbol.
  • Laptops and compact keyboards without a numeric keypad can use Character Map on Windows or the Insert menu in most document programs.
  • The symbol works in email, word processors, spreadsheets, and most web forms without special setup.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

The numeric keypad method is the fastest on Windows if your keyboard has one. Make sure Num Lock is on — you will see a light on the keyboard or a small indicator on screen. Position your cursor where you want the degree symbol. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The symbol appears when ready.

The leading zero matters — typing 176 without the zero will not work. If nothing appears, check that Num Lock is active and that you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard, not the number keys across the top.

This method works in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, email, spreadsheets, and most web browsers. It does not work in some older programs or specialized software, but those are rare.

Windows: Character Map when you have no numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad entirely. On these devices, open the Character Map process by pressing the Windows key, typing "character map," and pressing Enter. In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the symbol appears in the list above.

Click the degree symbol once to select it, then click the Copy button. Go to your document or form and paste it with Ctrl + V. This takes a few extra seconds but works on any Windows keyboard.

Alternatively, many programs have their own Insert menu. In Microsoft Word, click Insert, then Symbol, search for "degree," and click Insert. Google Docs has a similar menu under Insert > Special Characters. These built-in methods are often faster than opening Character Map separately.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut for any Mac keyboard

On Mac, the shortcut is consistent across all keyboards: press Shift + Option + 8. The Option key is also labeled Alt on some Mac keyboards. Position your cursor where you want the symbol, hold all three keys at once, and release. The degree symbol appears when ready.

This works in Mail, Pages, Google Docs, web browsers, and most other programs. Unlike the Windows numeric keypad method, it requires no special keyboard layout — it works the same way on a MacBook, an external keyboard, or a wireless keyboard.

If the shortcut does not work, check that you are using the correct Option key (usually to the left of the spacebar) and that you are holding all three keys simultaneously. Some keyboard layouts or accessibility settings can change this shortcut, but the default is Shift + Option + 8.

Linux: The Unicode input method

On Linux, the method varies slightly depending on your desktop environment, but the most common approach is the Unicode input method. Hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0 (the Unicode code point for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The symbol appears and the input mode closes automatically.

This method works in most Linux applications, including Firefox, text editors, and office suites. If it does not work, your system may use a different input method. Check your desktop environment's settings under Input Methods or Keyboard to confirm Unicode input is enabled.

Some Linux systems also support the Compose key method, where you press Compose, then o, then o in sequence. The Compose key is usually mapped to a modifier key like Alt or the right Windows key, depending on your configuration.

Using the degree symbol in formulas and code

In spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets, you can type the degree symbol directly using the keyboard shortcut for your operating system. It will display in the cell and in the formula bar without any special formatting needed.

In programming or markup languages, the degree symbol is usually represented as a Unicode escape sequence rather than the literal character. In HTML, use ° or °. In Python or JavaScript, use \u00b0. Check your language or framework's documentation for the exact syntax, as it varies.

If you are copying and pasting the symbol from a document into code, make sure your editor is set to save as UTF-8 encoding so the character is preserved correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt + 0176 not work on my Windows laptop?

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try using Character Map instead: press the Windows key, type "character map," find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it into your document. Alternatively, use your program's Insert menu if available.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

Yes. On Windows, you can use AutoCorrect in Microsoft Word to replace a short code like "deg" with the degree symbol. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and add a new replacement. On Linux, you can configure your input method settings to add custom shortcuts.

Does the degree symbol work in email and web forms?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard Unicode character and works in Gmail, Outlook, web browsers, and most online forms. Type it using your operating system's shortcut, and it will display and send correctly.

What if I need the degree symbol frequently in my work?

Set up an AutoCorrect rule or custom keyboard shortcut so you can type it with a few keystrokes. In Word, use AutoCorrect. On Mac, use Text Replacements in System Preferences. On Linux, configure your input method to add a custom shortcut. This is faster than using Character Map every time.

Is there a difference between the degree symbol and the ring above character?

Yes. The degree symbol (°) is Unicode U+00B0 and is used for temperature and angles. The ring above (˚) is Unicode U+02DA and is used in some languages. Make sure you are using the correct one for your purpose — the degree symbol is what you need for temperatures and angles.