The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a key on your keyboard, so you cannot type it the way you type a letter. Instead, you use a keyboard shortcut or a menu option that your operating system provides. The method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and the shortcut is different again if you are using a phone or tablet.

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of most full-size keyboards), then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press the 8 key at the top of the keyboard. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift together and type u, then type 00b0, then press Space. Each method produces the same symbol.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to produce the degree symbol.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together and press the 8 key to type the degree symbol.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type u00b0, then press Space to produce the degree symbol.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, you can use the character map or emoji menu instead of a keyboard shortcut.
  • On phones and tablets, the degree symbol usually appears when you hold down the zero key or access the symbols keyboard.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

The numeric keypad is the block of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard, separate from the main typing area. To type the degree symbol on Windows, make sure Num Lock is on (a light on the keyboard usually shows this). Then hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad using those four keys in order, and release Alt. The degree symbol appears wherever your cursor is.

The number sequence 0176 is the ASCII code for the degree symbol. You must use the numeric keypad on the right, not the number row at the top of the keyboard — the top row will not work for this shortcut. If your keyboard is a laptop keyboard or a compact keyboard without a separate numeric keypad, you may have a Fn key that activates a hidden numeric keypad, usually marked on the keys with small numbers. Check your keyboard manual or look for numbers printed in a different color on the letter keys.

Mac: Using Shift and Option

On a Mac keyboard, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press the 8 key at the top of the keyboard (the one that types an asterisk when you hold Shift). Release all three keys. The degree symbol appears in your document or text field.

This shortcut works on all Mac keyboards, including laptop keyboards, because it does not rely on a numeric keypad. If you forget the shortcut, you can also open the Character Viewer by holding Control and Space together, search for "degree", and double-click the symbol to insert it. This method is slower but works if you only need the symbol once in a while.

Linux: Using Ctrl, Shift, and Unicode input

Linux uses a Unicode input method. Hold Ctrl and Shift together and press u. You will see a small u with an underline appear (this shows Unicode input mode is active). Type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Space or Return. The degree symbol replaces the underlined u.

This method works in most Linux applications, but some older programs may not support Unicode input. If the shortcut does not work, check your input method settings in your system preferences. You can also use the Character Map process (called Gucharmap on many Linux systems) to search for the degree symbol and copy it to paste into your document.

Keyboards without a numeric keypad

Laptop keyboards and compact keyboards often do not have a separate numeric keypad, which makes the Windows Alt+0176 shortcut impossible to use. If your keyboard has a Fn key, look for numbers printed on the letter keys (usually in a different color or smaller font). Hold Fn and press the key that has the number you need. For example, if the letter J also has a 1 printed on it, holding Fn and pressing J types 1. set up Num Lock (usually Fn plus a key marked Num Lock or Scr Lk) to keep the numeric keypad active, then use the Alt+0176 shortcut as normal.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad and no Fn key, use the Character Map process instead. On Windows, search for "Character Map" in the Start menu, find and click the degree symbol in the grid, click Copy, then paste it into your document. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works on any Windows computer.

Phones and tablets

On an iPhone or iPad, open the keyboard and hold down the 0 (zero) key. A small menu appears showing the degree symbol and other variations. Tap the degree symbol to insert it. On Android phones, the method varies by keyboard app. Most Android keyboards show a ?123 button that switches to the symbols keyboard. Tap it, then look for the degree symbol, or hold down the 0 key to see if a menu appears.

If you cannot find the degree symbol on your phone keyboard, try holding down other number keys — some keyboards hide the symbol under a different key. You can also copy the degree symbol from a web search result and paste it into your document. This is useful if your keyboard app does not show the symbol easily.

Why you might need the degree symbol

The degree symbol is used for temperature (72°F or 25°C), angles in geometry (a 90° angle), and geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). It is also used in some scientific and technical writing. Because it is not a standard letter or number, your operating system does not assign it a single key — instead, you use a code or a menu to insert it.

Understanding which method works on your device saves time when you need to type it regularly. If you find yourself using the degree symbol often, consider saving it as a text shortcut in your operating system so you can type it with a quick abbreviation instead of remembering the full keyboard code.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the Alt+0176 shortcut does not work on my Windows computer?

Make sure Num Lock is turned on — you should see a light on your keyboard. Use the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard, not the number row at the top. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use Character Map instead: search for it in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, click Copy, and paste it into your document.

Can I save the degree symbol so I do not have to type the shortcut every time?

Yes. Type the degree symbol once using the shortcut, select it, copy it, and paste it whenever you need it. You can also create a text shortcut in your operating system — for example, typing "deg" could auto-replace with °. On Windows, this is done in Settings under Ease of Access. On Mac, use System Preferences under Keyboard, then Text.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

The degree symbol works in most programs — word processors, email, web browsers, and text editors all support it. Some older or specialized software may not display it correctly, but this is rare. If a program does not show the symbol, try copying and pasting it instead of using the keyboard shortcut.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol without memorizing a code?

Yes. Use the Character Map on Windows, the Character Viewer on Mac, or the Gucharmap process on Linux. Search for "degree" and click or double-click the symbol to insert it. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but requires no memorization. You can also hold down the 0 key on phones and tablets to see a menu of symbols.

Why is the degree symbol not on the keyboard?

Keyboards have a limited number of keys, so they include only the most common letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. Symbols like the degree symbol, copyright symbol, and trademark symbol are less frequently used, so they are accessed through keyboard codes or menus instead. This design keeps keyboards straightforward while still making less common symbols available when you need them.