The fastest way to insert a degree symbol

In Microsoft Word, the quickest method is to hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The degree symbol (°) appears when ready. This works on Windows only. On a Mac, hold Shift + Option and press 8.

If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad — common on laptops and external keyboards — use the Insert menu instead. Click Insert in the ribbon, then Symbol, search for "degree", and click Insert. This method works on both Windows and Mac and takes about five seconds once you know where to look.

For repeated use, you can assign the degree symbol to a keyboard shortcut of your own choosing, so you never have to hunt for it again. Word remembers this setting across documents.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type Alt+0176 on the numeric keypad for an when ready degree symbol; Mac users hold Shift+Option and press 8.
  • The Insert menu's Symbol tool works on any keyboard and any computer, though it takes slightly longer than a keyboard shortcut.
  • You can create a custom keyboard shortcut in Word so the degree symbol appears whenever you press your chosen key combination.
  • AutoCorrect can replace a text string like "(deg)" with the degree symbol automatically as you type.

Using the Insert menu on any keyboard

Click the Insert tab in the ribbon at the top of Word. On the far right of the ribbon, you will see a Symbol button (it looks like the Greek letter Omega, Ω). Click it and a dropdown menu appears.

Select More Symbols at the bottom of the dropdown. A dialog box opens showing hundreds of special characters. In the search field at the bottom, type "degree" and Word narrows the list to show the degree symbol. Click it once to select it, then click the Insert button. The symbol appears in your document at the cursor position.

Close the dialog by clicking Close. The next time you use Insert > Symbol, Word remembers that you recently used the degree symbol and shows it in the "Recently used" section, so you do not have to search again.

Creating a custom keyboard shortcut

If you type the degree symbol often — in scientific writing, temperature measurements, or angle notation — you can make Word insert it whenever you press a key combination you choose. Open the Symbol dialog as described above (Insert > Symbol > More Symbols), select the degree symbol, and click the Shortcut Key button at the bottom left of the dialog.

A second dialog appears asking you to press the key combination you want to use. Try something like Ctrl + Shift + D or Ctrl + Alt + O. Avoid combinations Word already uses (like Ctrl+B for bold). Type your combination and click Assign. Word confirms the shortcut is now active.

From that moment forward, pressing your chosen combination inserts the degree symbol in any Word document. This shortcut stays with your Word installation and works across all your documents.

Using AutoCorrect for automatic replacement

If you prefer to type a text string and have Word replace it automatically, use the AutoCorrect feature. Click File, then Options, then Proofing, then AutoCorrect Options. In the dialog that opens, make sure you are on the AutoCorrect tab.

In the "Replace" field, type a text string like "(deg)" or "°°" — something you will not type by accident in normal writing. In the "With" field, insert the degree symbol (you can copy and paste it from elsewhere, or use Insert > Symbol to place it there). Click Add, then OK.

Now whenever you type "(deg)" followed by a space or punctuation, Word automatically replaces it with the degree symbol. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but easier to remember if you do not use the symbol often.

Copying and pasting the symbol

The simplest method if you only need the symbol once or twice is to find it somewhere else and copy it. Search online for "degree symbol" and copy the ° character from the search results. Paste it into your Word document with Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac).

You can also keep a text file open with special characters you use regularly — degree symbol, copyright symbol, em dash, and so on — and copy from that file whenever you need them. This avoids learning multiple keyboard shortcuts but requires keeping an extra window open.

Why the numeric keypad method does not work on laptops

The Alt+0176 shortcut requires a numeric keypad with separate number keys arranged in a grid. Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed by holding Fn and using the number row, but this rarely works with the Alt code method because the Fn key interferes with Alt.

If your external keyboard also lacks a numeric keypad, use the Insert menu or create a custom shortcut instead. Both methods are reliable and work on any keyboard layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Alt+0176 shortcut work in other Microsoft programs?

Yes. The Alt+0176 method works in Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and most other Windows programs that accept text input. On Mac, the Shift+Option+8 shortcut works in most applications, though some older programs may not recognize it.

What if I need a superscript degree symbol for scientific notation?

Insert the degree symbol normally, then select it and press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to make it superscript. You can also create an AutoCorrect entry that inserts a pre-formatted superscript degree symbol automatically.

Can I use these methods in Google Docs or other online editors?

The Alt code and Mac shortcuts do not work in Google Docs. Use Insert > Special characters instead, or copy and paste the symbol from elsewhere. Google Docs does not support custom keyboard shortcuts for individual symbols.

Will my custom keyboard shortcut transfer to another computer?

No. Custom shortcuts are stored in your Word settings on that computer only. If you move to a new machine, you will need to recreate the shortcut. AutoCorrect entries do transfer if you back up your Word settings, but keyboard shortcuts do not.