The fastest way depends on what you are typing on
A degree sign (°) is not on your keyboard's main keys, but you can type it in seconds once you know the method for your device. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the number pad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. On a phone or tablet, hold your finger on the zero key until a menu appears with the degree symbol. Each method takes about as long as typing two letters.
The method you use does not matter for how the symbol looks — it appears the same in emails, documents, and web forms no matter how you created it. What matters is knowing which shortcut works on the device in front of you right now, so you do not waste time hunting through menus.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the number pad (not the top row numbers) to produce a degree sign.
- Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol without using any menu.
- On phones and tablets, long-press the zero key to see a popup menu that includes the degree sign.
- If your keyboard has no number pad, you can copy and paste the symbol from any document or use your device's character map or emoji panel.
Windows: Using the Alt code
On a Windows computer with a number pad, the degree sign is easiest to type using an Alt code. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard, then type 0176 on the number pad on the right side of your keyboard. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.
This only works on the number pad — the numbers across the top of your keyboard will not work. If your laptop has no number pad, skip to the "No number pad" section below. The symbol appears when ready and works in every program: Word, email, web browsers, spreadsheets, and text editors.
Mac: Using the keyboard shortcut
On a Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 at the same time. The degree sign appears when ready. This is faster than the Windows method because you do not have to hold one key while typing numbers — you just press three keys together once.
This shortcut works in every Mac program and in web browsers on Mac. If you forget which number it is, you can also open the Character Viewer (press Control + Command + Space), search for "degree", and click the symbol to insert it, but the keyboard shortcut is much quicker once you use it twice.
Phones and tablets: The long-press method
On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, open any app where you can type — Messages, Notes, email, or a web search box. Find the 0 key on your keyboard and press and hold your finger on it for about one second. A small menu pops up showing the degree symbol and a few other variations.
Tap the degree sign (°) and it inserts into your text. This works the same way on both iPhone and Android. If the menu does not appear, make sure you are holding your finger still on the 0 key — swiping or moving your finger will not trigger the menu.
Computers without a number pad
If you have a laptop or keyboard with no separate number pad, the Alt + 0176 method will not work. Instead, copy and paste the symbol from somewhere else. Open a web browser, search for "degree symbol", and copy the ° from the search results. Then paste it into your document wherever you need it.
Another option is to use your operating system's built-in character map. On Windows, search for "Character Map" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol in the list, click it, and click Copy. On Mac, use the Character Viewer mentioned above. Both methods take longer than a keyboard shortcut, but they work on any computer.
Using copy and paste in any situation
If you cannot remember the shortcut or your keyboard does not support it, copy and paste is always available. You can copy the degree symbol from this article right now: °. Paste it into a document, then copy it from there whenever you need it again. Many people keep a small text file with symbols they use often, so they can paste without searching.
This method works on every device and every program. It is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it is more reliable if you only type a degree sign once a month and do not want to memorize a code.
Where the degree sign appears in your document
Once you type or paste the degree symbol, it sits right where your cursor was, just like any other character. In temperature readings, it goes between the number and the letter: 72°F or 22°C. In angles or coordinates, it goes after the number: 45° angle or 40°N latitude. The symbol takes up the same space as a regular letter and does not require any special formatting.
If the symbol does not appear where you expect it, check that your cursor was in the right spot before you typed. If it appeared somewhere else in your document, use Ctrl + Z (Windows) or Command + Z (Mac) to undo, click where you actually want it, and type again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Alt + 0176 not work on my Windows laptop?
Your laptop likely has no separate number pad. The numbers across the top of the keyboard do not work for Alt codes. Use copy and paste instead, or check whether your laptop has a Num Lock key that activates a hidden number pad on the right side of the keyboard.
Can I type a degree sign in a web form or text message?
Yes. The degree symbol works in every text field — emails, web forms, text messages, social media posts, and search boxes. Type it the same way you would in any document. Some older systems may display it as a small circle or a different character, but that is rare.
Is there a degree sign on my phone's emoji keyboard?
Not usually. The long-press method on the 0 key is the fastest way on phones. You can also search for "degree" in your emoji or symbol keyboard, but long-pressing 0 is quicker and works in every app.
What if I need to type many degree signs in one document?
Use the keyboard shortcut for your device — it becomes automatic after a few uses. If you type degree signs often, consider setting up a text replacement: on Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, and on Windows, use AutoCorrect in Microsoft Word to replace a short code like "deg" with the degree symbol.
Does the degree symbol look different depending on the font?
Slightly. In some fonts it is larger or smaller, or positioned higher or lower, but it is always recognizable as a degree sign. The symbol itself is the same — you are not creating different versions by using different methods to type it.