The fastest way depends on what you are typing into

A degree symbol (°) is not on most keyboards, but you can make one in seconds using a method that works for your device. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On a Chromebook or phone, long-press the 0 key until a menu appears with the degree symbol.

The method you use matters less than knowing which one works where you are typing. If you use the same device for work every day, pick one method and stick with it — muscle memory makes it automatic within a week.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt to see the degree symbol appear.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8, and the degree symbol appears without needing to release and type a second key.
  • Chromebook and Android phone users long-press the 0 key to open a menu of related symbols, including the degree symbol.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, Windows offers a Character Map tool where you can search for the degree symbol and copy it to paste anywhere.
  • Most word processors and email programs also have an Insert menu where you can search for special characters by name.

Windows: Using the Alt code

The numeric keypad is the small cluster of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard, separate from the main number row. If you have a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, this method will not work — skip to the Character Map section below.

Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard. While holding Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad using the numbers in that cluster only. Release Alt. The degree symbol should appear where your cursor was. The leading zero matters — typing 176 without the 0 will not work.

If nothing appears, make sure Num Lock is on. Look for a Num Lock key (usually in the top left of the numeric keypad) and a light that shows whether it is active. Press it once if the light is off, then try the Alt code again.

Windows: Using Character Map if you have no numeric keypad

Open the Start menu and type "Character Map" into the search box. The Character Map process will appear — click it to open. In the search field at the bottom, type "degree" and the degree symbol will appear in the grid above.

Click the degree symbol once to select it, then click the Copy button. Go to wherever you need the symbol — an email, a document, a form — and paste it using Ctrl+V. You can copy it once and paste it as many times as you need in the same session.

Mac: Using the keyboard shortcut

Hold Shift and Option at the same time (Option is the key labeled Alt on some Mac keyboards, located next to the spacebar). While holding both, press 8. Release all keys. The degree symbol appears when ready.

This shortcut works in any program on your Mac — email, word processors, web forms, text editors. Unlike the Windows Alt code, you do not need to release the modifier keys before the symbol appears.

Chromebook and Android: Long-pressing the 0 key

On a Chromebook keyboard or an Android phone, press and hold the 0 key (zero, not the letter O). A small menu will pop up showing related symbols. The degree symbol is usually the first or second option. Tap it to insert it into your document or text field.

This method works in any app on your Chromebook or phone — Gmail, Google Docs, messaging apps, web forms. The menu appears automatically without any additional steps.

Using the Insert menu in word processors and email

If you use Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or most email programs, you can insert a degree symbol without memorizing a code. Open the Insert menu at the top of the window, then look for an option called "Special Character," "Symbol," or "Character." A dialog box will open where you can search for "degree" by name.

Click the degree symbol in the results, then click Insert or OK. The symbol appears in your document. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it works the same way in any program that has an Insert menu, so you do not have to remember different codes for different devices.

When you need the degree symbol for temperature or angles

The degree symbol is most common in temperature measurements (72°F or 25°C) and in geometry or navigation (a 45° angle). In both cases, the symbol goes when ready after the number with no space between them. Some style guides prefer a space before the unit letter (72° F), so check your workplace or school guidelines if you are unsure.

If you type temperature or angles often, consider adding the degree symbol to your autocorrect settings. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, then add a shortcut like "deg" that automatically becomes °. In Google Docs, go to Tools > Preferences and set up a similar replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Laptops usually do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try using Character Map instead: open Start, search for "Character Map," find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it where you need it. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed by holding Fn and using the number keys, but Character Map is more reliable.

Does the Mac shortcut work in all programs?

Yes. Shift+Option+8 works in any Mac process — email, web browsers, text editors, and word processors. If it does not work, make sure you are holding both Shift and Option at the same time before pressing 8.

Can I copy and paste a degree symbol instead of typing it?

Yes. You can copy the symbol ° from anywhere — a web page, another document, or Character Map — and paste it using Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). This works if you only need it once or twice, but learning the keyboard shortcut is faster for regular use.

What if I need the degree symbol on my phone keyboard?

Long-press the 0 key on your phone's keyboard. A menu appears with the degree symbol and other related characters. Tap the degree symbol to insert it. This works on both Android and iPhone keyboards.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol appear automatically?

Yes. In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, you can set up autocorrect so that typing a shortcut like "deg" automatically becomes °. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In Google Docs, go to Tools > Preferences. Add your shortcut and the degree symbol as the replacement.