The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard's main keys, but every operating system has a built-in way to type it. 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 + U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter. Each method works in any program — email, documents, spreadsheets, web forms.

If you do not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process to find and copy the symbol, then paste it where you need it. This is slower but works on any keyboard layout.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad should use Alt + 0176, which works in every program without extra steps.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol anywhere on their keyboard.
  • Laptop users without a numeric keypad can open Character Map on Windows to find and copy the symbol instead.
  • Once you type the symbol once, you can copy it and save it in a text file for quick pasting in the future.

Windows: Alt code method

The numeric keypad is the fastest route on Windows. Make sure Num Lock is on (you will see a light on your keyboard or a notification on screen). Hold down the Alt key on the right side of your keyboard, type 0176 using only the numeric keypad on the right, then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready.

This works in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, email clients, web browsers, spreadsheets, and any other text field. The Alt code method is the same for every Windows program, so once you memorize 0176, you can use it anywhere. If nothing appears, check that Num Lock is actually on — some keyboards have the light in an straightforward-to-miss spot.

On a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, you may have a secondary numeric layer accessed by holding Fn while typing numbers, but this is unreliable. The Character Map method (described below) is more reliable on laptops.

Mac: Keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. The degree symbol appears when ready. This shortcut works on any Mac keyboard — desktop, laptop, wireless — and in any program that accepts text input.

If the shortcut does not work, check your keyboard layout in System Preferences. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and confirm you are using a standard layout (US, UK, or your country's standard). Non-standard layouts sometimes reassign this key combination.

Linux: Unicode input method

On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift + U together, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears. This method works in most Linux applications, including text editors, web browsers, and email clients.

If this does not work, your desktop environment may use a different input method. GNOME and KDE both support Ctrl + Shift + U by default, but some minimal window managers do not. Check your distribution's documentation if the shortcut fails.

Windows Character Map for laptops without numeric keypad

If your laptop has no numeric keypad and the Fn + Alt method does not work, use Character Map. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type charmap, and press Enter. The Character Map window opens.

In the search box at the bottom, type degree. The degree symbol appears in the grid. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. The symbol is now in your clipboard. Open the document or email where you need it and press Ctrl + V to paste. You can do this once and save the symbol in a text file on your desktop for future pasting.

Saving the symbol for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol often, create a straightforward text file with just the symbol in it. Open Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac), or any text editor, type the degree symbol using the method for your system, then save the file with a straightforward name like "degree.txt" on your desktop.

Whenever you need the symbol, open that file, copy the symbol, and paste it where you need it. This is faster than typing the code every time, especially if you use it multiple times in one document. Some word processors also let you create custom shortcuts or autocorrect entries — for example, you could set Word to replace "deg" with "°" automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try holding Fn while typing the numbers, but if that fails, use Character Map instead. Character Map is more reliable on laptops and works the same way every time.

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

Yes. On iPhone, hold the 0 (zero) key and swipe to the degree symbol. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app — most show the symbol when you hold the 0 key, but some require you to switch to a symbols keyboard first. Check your keyboard app's settings if holding 0 does not work.

What if I need to type degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Type the degree symbol using your system's method, then when ready type the letter C or F. For example: 98°F or 25°C. Some word processors have autocorrect features that can replace text like "degC" with "°C" automatically.

Does the degree symbol work in spreadsheets like Excel?

Yes. The Alt code method (Windows) and keyboard shortcut (Mac) work in Excel, Google Sheets, and other spreadsheets. Type the symbol in a cell the same way you would in a document, and it saves normally.

Can I copy the degree symbol from the internet and use it?

Yes. If you find the symbol anywhere online, select it, copy it with Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac), and paste it where you need it. This is another quick option if you do not want to memorize the code or shortcut.