The quickest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a key you can press directly on most keyboards. 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.

These shortcuts work in almost any program — email, documents, spreadsheets, web forms. The numeric keypad method on Windows is the most reliable if your keyboard has one, because it does not depend on your keyboard layout or language settings. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), you can use the character map or copy-paste instead.

Phone keyboards have their own shortcuts. On iPhone, hold down the 0 key until a menu appears and select °. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app — most show the symbol in the numbers view or in a symbols menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and typing 0176 on the numeric keypad.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to produce the degree symbol in any process.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space to insert the symbol.
  • Laptops without a numeric keypad can use the character map tool or copy the symbol from another source and paste it.
  • Phone keyboards have built-in shortcuts — hold the 0 key on iPhone or access the symbols menu on Android.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad method is the most straightforward on Windows if your keyboard has one. Make sure Num Lock is on (you should see a light on the keyboard or on your screen). Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 using only the keys on the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, then release Alt. The degree symbol will appear wherever your cursor is.

This works because Windows interprets the number sequence as a Unicode character code. The leading zero is important — typing just 176 will not work. If nothing appears, check that Num Lock is actually on and that you are using the numeric keypad, not the number row at the top of the keyboard.

Windows: Without a numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often do not have a separate numeric keypad. You have two reliable options: use the Character Map tool or copy the symbol from somewhere else.

To use Character Map, press Windows key + R, type charmap, and press Enter. A window will open showing all available characters. Type degree in the search box (or scroll to find it), click the degree symbol, click Copy, then paste it where you need it. This method works in any program and does not require remembering a code.

The copy-paste method is even simpler: find a degree symbol anywhere online or in a document you already have, select it, copy it (Ctrl + C), and paste it (Ctrl + V) where you need it. Many people keep a text file with symbols they use often for this reason.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol is built into the keyboard shortcut system. Press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. The symbol will appear when ready. This works in any Mac process — Mail, Pages, Google Docs, web browsers, spreadsheets, everything.

If the shortcut does not work, check your keyboard language and input settings. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and make sure you have a standard English or your local language input method selected. Non-standard keyboard layouts sometimes map this shortcut differently.

Linux: The Unicode input method

On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift + U together, then type 00b0 (the hexadecimal code for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The symbol will appear. This method works in most Linux applications, though some older programs may not support it.

If that does not work, your system may use a different input method. Check your input settings in your desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, or whatever you use). You can also use the character map tool if your Linux distribution includes one — search for "Character Map" or "gucharmap" in your applications menu.

Phones and tablets

On iPhone, open any text field and hold your finger on the 0 key. A menu will pop up showing variations of the zero, including the degree symbol. Tap the ° symbol to insert it.

On Android, the method depends on your keyboard app. Most Android keyboards show a ?123 button or similar to access numbers and symbols. Tap that, then look for the degree symbol in the symbols view. Some keyboards require you to long-press the 0 key, similar to iPhone. If you cannot find it, try switching to a different keyboard app like Gboard (Google's keyboard), which has a dedicated symbols menu.

When you type the degree symbol often

If you use the degree symbol regularly — for temperature readings, angles, coordinates, or scientific notation — it is worth setting up a faster method. On Windows, you can create a text replacement using AutoCorrect: type a shortcut like :deg, and Windows will automatically replace it with °. Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and look for text suggestions, or use a third-party tool like AutoHotkey.

On Mac, you can do the same through System Preferences > Keyboard > Text. Click the + button, type your shortcut in the "Replace" field (like :deg), type the degree symbol in the "With" field, and click Add. Now whenever you type your shortcut followed by a space, it will expand to the degree symbol.

On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment, but most support text expansion through the input method settings or through third-party tools. On phones, most keyboard apps let you add custom shortcuts in their settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop probably does not have a separate numeric keypad. Try using the Character Map tool instead: press Windows key + R, type charmap, find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it where you need it. Alternatively, you can enable a virtual numeric keypad by holding Fn and using the number keys, but this varies by laptop model.

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

Yes. Find a degree symbol online, copy it, and paste it into any document or text field. This works on any device and any operating system. Many people keep a text file with commonly used symbols for this reason. The symbol will look identical no matter where it came from.

What is the difference between the degree symbol and the superscript zero?

The degree symbol (°) is a distinct character designed for temperatures and angles. A superscript zero is the number 0 made smaller and raised. They look similar but are different characters. Use the degree symbol for temperatures and angles, and superscript for footnotes or mathematical notation.

Does the keyboard shortcut work in all programs?

The keyboard shortcuts (Alt + 0176 on Windows, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac, Ctrl + Shift + U on Linux) work in almost all programs, including web browsers, email, and documents. The only exceptions are very old or specialized software. If a shortcut does not work, the copy-paste method will work everywhere.

Can I add the degree symbol to my keyboard layout?

You can create a custom keyboard layout, but it requires technical setup that varies by operating system. For most people, the keyboard shortcut or copy-paste method is faster than learning a custom layout. If you type the degree symbol dozens of times a day, a custom layout might be worth it — search for "custom keyboard layout" for your operating system to explore this option.