The fastest way to insert a degree symbol

The degree symbol (°) appears in Microsoft Word through the Insert menu, not your keyboard. Open Word, place your cursor where you need the symbol, then click Insert in the ribbon at the top. Select Symbol on the right side of the ribbon, then click More Symbols at the bottom of the dropdown. In the window that opens, search for "degree" in the search box, select the degree symbol from the list, and click Insert.

This method works the same way in Word for Windows and Word for Mac. The symbol appears when ready where your cursor was positioned, and you can close the Symbol window and keep typing.

Key Takeaways

  • The Insert menu's Symbol option is the most reliable way to add a degree symbol in Word, and it takes about 10 seconds once you know where to look.
  • A keyboard shortcut exists for Windows (Alt + 0176 on the numeric keypad) and Mac (Shift + Option + 8), but only if your keyboard has the right keys.
  • Copying and pasting a degree symbol from another document or website works if you already have one available.
  • AutoCorrect can be set up to replace a text shortcut like "deg" with the degree symbol automatically as you type.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Windows

If you use Windows and your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, you can type the degree symbol directly. Hold down Alt, then press 0, 1, 7, and 6 in order on the numeric keypad. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears. This only works with the numeric keypad — the number row at the top of the keyboard will not work.

Laptops often do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. If your laptop keyboard shows numbers across the top but no separate number pad on the right, this shortcut will not function. In that case, use the Insert menu method instead.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Mac

Mac keyboards have a different shortcut. Hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works on any Mac keyboard because it does not rely on a numeric keypad.

If the shortcut does not work, check that you are holding Shift and Option at the same time — many people accidentally release one key before pressing 8. If it still does not work, your keyboard layout may be set to a language other than English, which changes the shortcut. Switch back to English in System Preferences and try again.

Setting up AutoCorrect to type the symbol faster

If you type the degree symbol often, you can teach Word to insert it automatically. Open Word and click File, then Options (Windows) or Preferences (Mac). Select Proofing, then AutoCorrect Options. In the window that opens, type a shortcut you will remember — like "deg" — in the ReplaceWith field, paste or type the degree symbol (you can copy one from the Insert menu first). Click Add, then OK.

From that point on, whenever you type "deg" in Word and press Space or Enter, it automatically becomes °. This works only in Word, not in other programs like email or web browsers. If you choose a shortcut that is already a real word (like "the"), Word will not replace it because it would interfere with normal typing.

Copying and pasting a degree symbol you already have

If you have a degree symbol somewhere else — in an email, a web page, or another document — you can copy and paste it into Word. Select the symbol, press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Command + C (Mac) to copy it, then click in your Word document where you need it and press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac) to paste. This is faster than the Insert menu if you are already looking at another window.

This method is also useful if you are on a laptop without a numeric keypad and the keyboard shortcut does not work. You only need to find one degree symbol online to copy — a quick search for "degree symbol" will show you one to use.

Why the degree symbol is not on your keyboard

The degree symbol is not printed on any standard keyboard because it is used less often than letters and numbers. Keyboards have a limited number of keys, so less common symbols are accessed through menus, shortcuts, or copy-paste instead. This is the same reason you cannot type a copyright symbol (©) or a registered trademark symbol (®) by pressing a single key.

Word treats the degree symbol as a special character, which is why it lives in the Symbol menu rather than being typed directly. Once you choose your preferred method — whether that is the Insert menu, a keyboard shortcut, or AutoCorrect — the process becomes automatic and you will not have to think about it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type a degree symbol in Google Docs or other programs?

Yes. Google Docs has an Insert menu with a Special Characters option that works the same way as Word. Most other programs use the same Windows Alt code (Alt + 0176) or Mac shortcut (Shift + Option + 8), though some may have their own menus. If a shortcut does not work, look for an Insert or Symbol menu in that program.

What if Alt + 0176 does not work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop likely does not have a numeric keypad. Use the Insert menu method instead, or check whether your laptop has a Num Lock key that activates a hidden numeric keypad on part of the regular keyboard. If it does, press Num Lock first, then try the Alt code on those keys.

Is there a difference between the degree symbol and the superscript zero?

Yes. The degree symbol (°) is a single character designed to sit next to numbers. A superscript zero is a regular zero made smaller and raised above the line. They look similar but are not the same. Use the degree symbol for temperatures and angles, not a superscript zero.

Can I add the degree symbol to my keyboard shortcuts in Word?

Yes, through AutoCorrect as described above. You can also assign a custom keyboard shortcut in Word's Options menu under Customize Ribbon, though this is more complex and the AutoCorrect method is simpler for most people.