The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on most keyboards, so you type it using a keyboard shortcut or a character menu. The method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether you are typing in a document, email, or web form. Once you know your system's shortcut, it takes one or two key presses.

The symbol itself is small and round, sitting slightly above the baseline of text. You will see it in temperatures (72°F), angles (90°), and geographic coordinates. Most people find they need it rarely enough that a shortcut is faster than hunting through menus each time.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to insert the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any process.
  • On Linux, the method varies by desktop environment, but Ctrl + Shift + U followed by 00B0 and Space works in most GNOME and KDE applications.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, Windows offers an on-screen keyboard or character map as an alternative.
  • Some applications like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have their own symbol insertion menus if you prefer not to memorize shortcuts.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

On Windows, the most reliable 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), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears where your cursor was. This works in almost every Windows process — Word, email, web browsers, text editors.

The numeric keypad is essential for this method. If your keyboard does not have one — common on laptops and compact keyboards — you have two alternatives. First, you can enable Num Lock and use the number keys that double as arrow keys (usually marked with small numbers in the corner). Second, you can use the Character Map process built into Windows: press the Windows key, type "character map", open the process, search for "degree", double-click the symbol, and click Copy.

Some keyboards have a Fn key that unlocks a hidden numeric keypad on the letter keys. Check whether your keyboard has small numbers printed on the right side of the letter keys. If it does, hold Fn while typing the Alt code on those keys.

Mac: The Shift + Option + 8 shortcut

On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. Release all three keys and the degree symbol appears. This works in any Mac process — Pages, Mail, web browsers, text editors. The shortcut is the same whether you use an Apple keyboard or a third-party keyboard connected to your Mac.

If the shortcut does not work, check that you are using the Option key (also labeled Alt on some keyboards) on the left side of the keyboard, not the right. Some Mac applications have their own symbol menus that override keyboard shortcuts, though this is rare. If you get a different symbol, you may have accidentally pressed a different key combination — try again slowly.

Linux: The Unicode input method

On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment. In GNOME and KDE (the two most common), hold Ctrl + Shift, type U, release the keys, then type 00B0 and press Space. The degree symbol appears. This works in most text applications, browsers, and email clients.

If that does not work, your system may use a different input method. Open your system settings and search for "input method" or "keyboard". Some Linux distributions use Compose key sequences instead — if your system has a Compose key defined, you can usually type Compose followed by o and o to produce the degree symbol. If you are unsure which method your system uses, the Ctrl + Shift + U method is the safest starting point.

Using the symbol menu in Word and Google Docs

If you use Microsoft Word or Google Docs regularly, both applications have built-in symbol menus that do not require memorizing a shortcut. In Word, click the Insert tab, then click Symbol (on the right side of the ribbon), then click More Symbols. Search for "degree" in the search box, click the degree symbol, and click Insert. In Google Docs, click Insert, then Special Characters, search for "degree", and click the symbol to insert it.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you type the degree symbol often, but it is useful if you type it rarely or if you forget the shortcut. Both applications remember your recent symbols, so after you insert it once, it appears at the top of the symbol menu the next time you open it.

Why the degree symbol is not on the keyboard

The degree symbol is not a dedicated key because it is used far less often than letters, numbers, and punctuation. A standard keyboard has about 100 keys, and each key can produce only a few characters. Designers prioritize the characters used in everyday typing — letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation — and relegate less frequent symbols to menus or keyboard shortcuts.

The same is true for other symbols like the copyright mark (©), the euro sign (€), and the em dash (—). If you type these symbols often in your work, learning the keyboard shortcut saves time. If you type them rarely, using a menu is usually faster than trying to remember a shortcut you use once a month.

Troubleshooting when the shortcut does not work

If you try a shortcut and nothing happens, the most common cause is that you are in an process that does not support it. Some older applications, specialized software, and web-based text editors have their own rules about which keyboard shortcuts work. Try the shortcut in a different process — Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on Mac — to confirm the shortcut itself works on your system.

On Windows, confirm that Num Lock is on (you should see a light on the Num Lock key) before trying the Alt code. On Mac, confirm you are using the Option key, not the Control key. On Linux, confirm that your input method is set to Unicode in your system settings. If the shortcut works in one process but not another, that process may have disabled it or mapped it to something else — check that process's settings or help menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste the degree symbol instead of typing it?

Yes. You can copy the symbol from any document where it already appears, or type it once using the method for your system, copy it, and paste it whenever you need it. This works in any process. Some people keep a text file with commonly used symbols and copy from it. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you type the symbol often, but faster if you type it rarely.

Does the degree symbol work in email and web forms?

Yes, the keyboard shortcut works in almost all email clients, web-based email, and web forms. The symbol may not display correctly if the website or email uses an unusual character encoding, but this is rare. If you see a question mark or a box instead of the degree symbol, the problem is with the website or email client, not your keyboard.

What if I need to type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

On iPhone, hold the 0 (zero) key on the keyboard until a menu appears with the degree symbol, then tap it. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app — most show a symbols menu when you tap the ?123 key, and the degree symbol is usually in the second or third page of symbols. Some Android keyboards require you to long-press the 0 key like iPhone.

Is there a way to add the degree symbol as a dedicated key?

On Windows and Mac, you can use keyboard remapping software to assign the degree symbol to any key you choose. This requires downloading third-party software like AutoHotkey on Windows or Karabiner on Mac. For most people, learning the keyboard shortcut is simpler than setting up remapping software, but if you type the symbol many times per day, remapping may save time.

Why do I sometimes see a different symbol when I use the shortcut?

This usually means you pressed a slightly different key combination than intended. On Mac, make sure you are pressing Shift + Option + 8, not Shift + Option + 9 or another combination. On Windows, confirm you typed 0176 on the numeric keypad, not the regular number keys. On Linux, confirm you typed 00B0 (zero-zero-B-zero), not a different code. Try the shortcut again slowly and deliberately.