The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) appears in different places depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and the method changes again if you are typing in a web browser versus a document. 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 and type u, then type 00b0 and press Space or Enter.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops and compact keyboards — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process (search "charmap" in your Start menu), find the degree symbol, click it, then click Copy and paste it where you need it. This is slower for one symbol but faster if you need it repeatedly in the same document.

For web browsers and online forms on any system, you can also type the HTML code ° and it will display as °. This works in most content management systems, email platforms, and web-based documents like Google Docs.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad; Mac users press Shift + Option + 8.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use Windows Character Map to copy and paste the symbol.
  • In web browsers and online documents, typing ° produces the degree symbol automatically.
  • Linux systems use Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00b0, then Space or Enter.
  • Once you find the method that works on your device, you can save the symbol in your clipboard or create a keyboard shortcut for repeated use.

Why the numeric keypad method works on Windows

Windows interprets the Alt code 0176 as a Unicode character. The numeric keypad on the right side of most desktop keyboards sends a different signal than the number row at the top, which is why Alt + 0176 works but Alt + 176 (using the top row) does not. This system dates back to older character encoding standards and remains built into Windows today.

The leading zero matters — typing 0176 instead of 176 tells Windows to look in the extended ASCII range where the degree symbol lives. If you type it without the zero, you will get a different character or nothing at all.

Shortcuts for laptops and compact keyboards

Laptops often replace the numeric keypad with a secondary number layer accessed by holding Fn (Function key). On some models, you can enable Num Lock to set up this layer, then use Alt + 0176 as normal. Check your keyboard manual or look for small number labels printed above the letter keys — if they are there, your laptop has a hidden numeric keypad.

If your laptop does not have a hidden numeric keypad, the Character Map method is your most reliable option. Open it, type "degree" in the search box, select the symbol, and click Copy. You can then paste it into any document. Some users create a text shortcut — for example, typing "deg" automatically expands to "°" — through their operating system's text replacement settings.

Using the degree symbol in different programs

Microsoft Word has its own Insert menu: click Insert, then Symbol, search for "degree," and click Insert. This is slower than Alt codes but works if you forget the number. Google Docs offers the same Insert menu path. In spreadsheet programs like Excel, the Alt code method works the same way — type it directly into a cell.

Email clients vary. Gmail and Outlook both accept Alt codes and HTML codes. If you are typing in a plain-text email (not rich text), the HTML code method will not work, so use your operating system's native shortcut instead. Slack, Discord, and other chat platforms accept the symbol directly — just paste it or type the Alt code, and it will display correctly.

Creating a custom keyboard shortcut

On Mac, you can create a custom shortcut through System Preferences. Go to Keyboard, then Text, and add a new entry: type the degree symbol in the "Replace" column and something memorable like "degree" in the "With" column. From then on, typing "degree" followed by a space will expand to °.

Windows does not have a built-in text replacement system in the operating system itself, but Microsoft Word has one: go to File, Options, Proofing, AutoCorrect Options, and add a new entry. Many third-party tools like AutoHotkey also let you create custom shortcuts, though they require more setup.

Copying and pasting from reference sources

The simplest method for occasional use is to find the degree symbol online, copy it, and paste it into a document. Search "degree symbol" in any search engine, and the symbol will appear in the results. Click it, copy it (Ctrl + C on Windows, Command + C on Mac), and paste it where you need it (Ctrl + V or Command + V).

You can also keep a text file or note on your computer with commonly used symbols — degree, copyright (©), trademark (™), and others — and copy from there when needed. This is faster than searching each time and requires no memorization of codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock first — look for a key labeled Num Lock or Fn + a key with a lock icon. If that does not work, use Character Map instead: search "charmap" in your Start menu, find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it into your document.

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

On most phones, hold down the zero key (0) on the number pad and a menu of symbols appears, including °. On tablets, the method depends on whether you are using the on-screen keyboard or an external keyboard. With an external keyboard, use the same shortcuts as your computer. With the on-screen keyboard, look for a symbols or special characters key.

Does the degree symbol work in all fonts?

The degree symbol exists in nearly all fonts, but it may look slightly different depending on the typeface. In some fonts it appears as a small raised circle; in others it is slightly larger or positioned differently. If it looks wrong, try changing the font or using a different size.

What if I need to type degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Type the degree symbol first, then when ready type the letter C or F with no space between them: °C or °F. Some programs will auto-correct this to the proper format. In scientific writing, you may also see it written as "degrees Celsius" spelled out, which requires no special symbol.

Can I use voice typing to say the degree symbol?

Most voice typing systems do not recognize "degree symbol" as a voice command. Your best option is to pause voice typing, type the symbol using your keyboard shortcut, then resume. Alternatively, copy the symbol to your clipboard before you start, then paste it when needed.