The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a key on your keyboard, so you cannot type it the way you type a letter. Instead, you use a keyboard shortcut or a menu option that your operating system provides. The method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and the program you are working in matters too — some applications have their own symbol menus that override the system shortcut.

The good news is that once you learn the shortcut for your system, it takes two or three keystrokes and becomes automatic. You do not need to install anything or change your keyboard hardware.

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 process.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, Windows offers an on-screen keyboard with a degree symbol button you can click.
  • Some programs like Microsoft Word have a Symbol menu under the Insert tab where you can search for and insert the degree symbol without memorizing a code.
  • The degree symbol works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms — anywhere you can type text.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

On Windows, the standard method is the Alt code. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the cluster of number keys on the right side of most full-size keyboards), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

The numeric keypad is essential for this method — the number row above the letters does not work. If your keyboard is a laptop keyboard or a compact keyboard without a separate numeric keypad, skip to the next section.

Make sure Num Lock is turned on before you try this. Most keyboards have a Num Lock key near the numeric keypad, and a light on the key or keyboard shows when it is active. If the light is off, press Num Lock once to turn it on, then try the Alt code again.

Windows: Using the on-screen keyboard if you have no numeric keypad

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops and wireless keyboards — Windows includes an on-screen keyboard you can use instead. Press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo), type "on-screen keyboard" and press Enter. A keyboard appears on your screen with all the keys, including a numeric keypad on the right side.

Click the degree symbol directly on the on-screen keyboard, or use it to type the Alt code: click Alt, then click 0, 1, 7, 6 on the numeric keypad section, then click Alt again. The symbol appears in your document or text field.

This method is slower than memorizing the shortcut, but it works on any Windows machine and requires no special setup. You can leave the on-screen keyboard open while you work if you use the degree symbol often.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 (the number 8, not the asterisk). This works in any process — email, documents, web browsers, spreadsheets, everywhere. The degree symbol appears when ready where your cursor is.

The Option key is also called Alt on some Mac keyboards. If you do not see the Option label, look for the key with the symbol that looks like a bent arrow (⌥). It is usually to the left of the spacebar.

Unlike Windows, Mac does not require a numeric keypad, so this shortcut works on any Mac keyboard, including laptops and wireless keyboards.

Using the Symbol menu in Microsoft Word and Google Docs

If you use Microsoft Word, you can insert the degree symbol without memorizing a code. Click the Insert tab at the top, then click Symbol (on the right side of the ribbon). A dropdown menu appears. Click "More Symbols" at the bottom. A dialog box opens with a search field at the top. Type "degree" and the degree symbol appears in the list. Click it and then click Insert.

Google Docs works similarly. Click Insert at the top, then Special Characters. A panel opens on the right side. Type "degree" in the search box and click the degree symbol when it appears. It inserts into your document.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but useful if you forget the code or work in different programs. Once you insert it once, you can often copy and paste it the next time you need it.

Linux: The compose key method

On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment, but the most common approach uses the Compose key. Press Compose (usually mapped to the right Alt or Menu key, depending on your setup), then type o, o (the letter o twice). The degree symbol appears.

If the Compose key does not work, check your keyboard settings in your system preferences. Some Linux distributions require you to enable the Compose key first. You can also use Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 00b0 and press Space or Enter — this works in many Linux applications.

Copying and pasting the symbol

If you cannot remember the shortcut or your keyboard setup is unusual, the simplest solution is to type the degree symbol once using one of the methods above, then copy it. Select the symbol with your mouse, press Ctrl + C (or Command + C on Mac) to copy it, then paste it with Ctrl + V (or Command + V on Mac) whenever you need it again.

You can also paste it from this article: °. Highlight it, copy it, and paste it into your document. This works in any program and requires no keyboard shortcut knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Laptops usually do not have a separate numeric keypad. Use the on-screen keyboard instead: press Windows key, type "on-screen keyboard", press Enter, then click the degree symbol. Alternatively, some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed by holding Fn while typing numbers, but this varies by brand.

Can I type the degree symbol in email and web forms?

Yes. The degree symbol works anywhere you can type text — email, web forms, social media, documents, spreadsheets, and messaging apps. Use the same keyboard shortcut you would use in any other program.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol easier to access?

On Windows, you can create a keyboard shortcut in some programs by going to Tools or Settings and looking for "AutoCorrect" or "Shortcuts". For example, you could set it so typing "deg" automatically becomes °. On Mac, System Preferences > Keyboard > Text allows you to create text replacements.

What if I need to type a degree symbol in a temperature or angle measurement?

The degree symbol works the same way regardless of context. Type it using your system shortcut, and it appears in temperature (72°F), angles (45°), or any other measurement. Some programs like spreadsheets have special formatting for units, but the symbol itself is typed the same way.

Can I add the degree symbol to my keyboard layout?

Most people do not need to — the shortcuts are faster than reaching for a physical key. If you type the degree symbol very often, you can remap a key in Windows using third-party software like AutoHotkey, or on Mac using System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts. This is rarely necessary.