The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on any standard keyboard, so you need a keyboard shortcut or a character menu. 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.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process or type it directly in some programs using Ctrl + Shift + U on Linux systems. The Mac shortcut works on any Mac keyboard without exception.

The method you choose depends partly on what you are typing into. Some programs have their own symbol menus that may be faster if you need the degree symbol only once or twice.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows with a numeric keypad, press Alt + 0176 to insert the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, use Shift + Option + 8 regardless of keyboard type.
  • On Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space.
  • If your Windows laptop has no numeric keypad, use Character Map or a compose key instead of the Alt code.
  • Most programs let you copy and paste the symbol (°) from another source if you use it repeatedly.

Windows: Using Alt codes on a full keyboard

If your Windows keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, the Alt code method is the quickest. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in Word, email clients, web browsers, spreadsheets, and most text editors.

The leading zero matters — typing 176 without the 0 will not work. Make sure Num Lock is on (usually indicated by a light on the keypad). If nothing appears, check that you are using the numeric keypad on the right, not the number keys across the top of the keyboard.

Write the symbol once, then copy it (Ctrl + C) and paste it (Ctrl + V) wherever you need it again in the same document. This is faster than repeating the Alt code multiple times.

Windows: Without a numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad, making Alt codes impossible. The easiest replacement is the Character Map process, built into Windows. Press the Windows key, type "Character Map," and open it. Search for "degree" or scroll through the symbols until you find °. Click it, then click Copy, and paste it (Ctrl + V) wherever you need it.

Another option on some Windows machines is to enable the numeric keypad overlay. Hold Fn and press Num Lock (if your keyboard has it) to set up a hidden numeric keypad on the letter keys. Once enabled, Alt + 0176 works the same way. Check your keyboard's manual or the Fn key label to see if this feature is available.

If you type the degree symbol regularly, create a keyboard shortcut in your program. In Microsoft Word, go to Insert > Symbol, find the degree symbol, then click AutoCorrect Options and assign it a shortcut like typing "deg" and pressing Space to auto-replace it.

Mac: The same shortcut on any keyboard

Mac keyboards do not have numeric keypads, so Apple uses a different system. Press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in Mail, Pages, Numbers, web browsers, and any text field on macOS.

The shortcut is the same whether you have a full-size keyboard, a MacBook keyboard, or an external keyboard connected to your Mac. Unlike Windows, there is no variation based on keyboard type.

If you forget the shortcut, open Spotlight (Command + Space), type "Character Viewer," and open it. Search for "degree" and double-click the symbol to insert it. You can also add the Character Viewer to your menu bar for faster access.

Linux: Unicode input method

Linux uses a Unicode input system. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0 (the Unicode code point for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The symbol appears and replaces the code you typed. This works in most Linux text editors, email clients, and web browsers.

Some Linux desktop environments (like GNOME) have this enabled by default. If it does not work, check your input method settings in System Settings or your distribution's configuration tool. You may need to enable "Unicode input" or "Compose key" input.

An alternative on some Linux systems is to set a Compose key (often the right Alt or Menu key) and then press Compose, then o, then o to produce the degree symbol. The exact sequence depends on your system configuration.

Using symbol menus in common programs

If you are working in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice, you can insert the degree symbol through the Insert menu without memorizing a shortcut. In Word, click Insert > Symbol, search for "degree," and click Insert. In Google Docs, click Insert > Special Characters, search for "degree," and click it. In LibreOffice Writer, click Insert > Special Character, find the degree symbol, and click Insert.

These menus are slower than keyboard shortcuts if you need the symbol multiple times, but they work on any computer without remembering different shortcuts for different operating systems. They are also useful if you are on an unfamiliar keyboard and cannot remember the shortcut.

Once you insert the symbol this way, copy it and paste it for subsequent uses in the same document. This is faster than opening the menu repeatedly.

Copy and paste from a reference

The simplest method if you only need the degree symbol once is to copy it from somewhere you have already typed it. If you have used it before in an email, document, or web page, select it, copy it (Ctrl + C on Windows or Linux, Command + C on Mac), and paste it where you need it.

You can also bookmark a page with common symbols or keep a text file with symbols you use regularly. Paste from that file whenever you need the symbol without typing a shortcut or opening a menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling the numeric keypad overlay with Fn + Num Lock, or use Character Map instead. If neither works, use the copy-and-paste method or create an AutoCorrect shortcut in your program.

Does the degree symbol shortcut work in web forms and email?

Yes, the keyboard shortcuts work in almost all text fields — email, web forms, chat, and social media. The only exception is very old or restricted systems, in which case copy and paste from Character Map or another source is the backup.

Can I create a custom keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

Yes, in most programs. Microsoft Word lets you assign a shortcut through Insert > Symbol > AutoCorrect Options. Mac users can create text shortcuts in System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements. Linux users can configure Compose key sequences in their input method settings.

What if I need to type degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Type the degree symbol using your shortcut, then when ready type the letter C or F. For example, on Mac, Shift + Option + 8 followed by C produces °C. No space is needed between the symbol and the letter.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

On most phones, hold down the 0 key in the number row and a menu of symbols appears, including the degree symbol. On tablets with keyboards, use the same shortcuts as your computer (Alt + 0176 on Windows, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac). On phones without a physical keyboard, use the symbol menu in your keyboard app.