The fastest way depends on what you're typing on

The degree symbol (°) has no dedicated key on most keyboards, so you make it using a keyboard shortcut, a menu, or a character code. Which method works fastest depends on whether you're on Windows, Mac, or a phone, and what program you're using. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option and press 8. On a phone, hold down the zero key until the degree symbol appears. If none of those work in your program, you can copy and paste the symbol from anywhere online.

The numeric keypad method on Windows is the quickest once you memorize it, but it only works if your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side. If you're on a laptop without one, or if you forget the code, the copy-paste method works everywhere and takes five seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows with a numeric keypad, hold Alt and type 0176, then release Alt to insert the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8 to make the degree symbol appear.
  • On iPhone or Android, press and hold the zero key until a menu of symbols appears, then tap the degree symbol.
  • If keyboard shortcuts don't work in your program, copy the ° symbol from a web search and paste it wherever you need it.
  • Some programs like Microsoft Word have a Symbol menu under Insert where you can search for and insert the degree symbol by name.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

On a desktop or full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad on the right, the Alt code method is the fastest. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the numbers across the top), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

This only works if Num Lock is on — you'll see a light on the numeric keypad or a Num Lock indicator on your keyboard. If the numbers don't appear when you type them, press Num Lock once to turn it on, then try again.

If your keyboard doesn't have a numeric keypad — most laptops don't — this method won't work. Move to the copy-paste method instead.

Windows: Without a numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often have no numeric keypad. On these, the Alt code method doesn't work. Instead, open any web browser, search for "degree symbol", and copy the ° symbol from the search results. Then paste it into your document or email wherever you need it.

Alternatively, in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Outlook, go to the Insert menu at the top, click Symbol, search for "degree", and click the symbol to insert it. This takes a few more clicks but works reliably in Microsoft programs.

Mac: Using the keyboard shortcut

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys and the degree symbol appears. This works on any Mac keyboard, including laptops, and in almost every program.

If that doesn't work in a specific program, try the copy-paste method instead. Open a web browser, search for "degree symbol", copy the ° symbol, and paste it into your document.

iPhone and Android: Using the key menu

On an iPhone, open the keyboard and press and hold the 0 (zero) key. A small menu pops up showing the degree symbol and other variants. Tap the ° symbol to insert it.

On Android, the method varies by keyboard app. Most Android keyboards show a menu when you hold the 0 key, similar to iPhone. If yours doesn't, try holding the 0 key for longer, or search for "degree symbol" in your phone's browser, copy it, and paste it into your message or document.

In Microsoft Word and Google Docs

Microsoft Word has a dedicated Symbol tool. Click Insert at the top of the screen, then click Symbol (or Special Characters on older versions). A window opens showing hundreds of symbols. Type "degree" in the search box, click the degree symbol in the results, and click Insert. The symbol appears in your document.

Google Docs doesn't have a Symbol menu, but the keyboard shortcuts work: on Windows, Alt+0176; on Mac, Shift+Option+8. If those don't work, copy and paste the symbol from a web search instead.

Copy and paste: The method that always works

If you can't remember the keyboard shortcut and your program has no Symbol menu, copy and paste. Open any web browser, search for "degree symbol", and you'll see the ° symbol in the search results. Click on it or select it, copy it (Ctrl+C on Windows, Command+C on Mac), then paste it into your document (Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac).

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it works in every program on every device. Once you've pasted it once, you can copy it from your document and reuse it, so you don't have to search again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Alt+0176 work on my Windows laptop?

Most laptops don't have a numeric keypad, so the Alt code method doesn't work. Use the copy-paste method instead: search for "degree symbol" in your browser, copy the ° symbol, and paste it into your document. Or use the Symbol menu in Microsoft Word if you're writing there.

Does the Mac shortcut work in all programs?

The Shift+Option+8 shortcut works in most Mac programs, including Mail, Notes, Word, and web browsers. If it doesn't work in a specific program, that program may override the system shortcut. Try the copy-paste method instead.

Can I save the degree symbol somewhere so I don't have to search for it every time?

Yes. Type or paste the degree symbol once into a document you keep open, like a Notes app or a text file. Then whenever you need it, copy it from there and paste it where you're working. This is faster than searching each time.

What if I need to type many degree symbols in a row?

Type or paste one degree symbol, copy it, then paste it as many times as you need. This is faster than using the keyboard shortcut repeatedly. Alternatively, if you use the symbol often in your work, some programs let you create custom shortcuts — check your program's preferences or settings.