The fastest way depends on your device
The degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard's main keys, but you can type it in seconds using a method that matches your device. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On a Chromebook or phone, long-press the 0 key until a menu appears with the degree symbol. Each method works the same way every time once you know the combination.
If you do not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers a second route: the Character Map process. This is slower but reliable when the Alt code does not work. The method you choose depends on what you are typing into and how often you need the symbol.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users with a numeric keypad should hold Alt and type 0176, then release Alt to insert the degree symbol.
- Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to type the degree symbol in any process.
- Chromebook and smartphone users long-press the 0 key to open a menu of number variants, including the degree symbol.
- If your laptop has no numeric keypad, use Windows Character Map by searching for "charmap" in the Start menu and copying the symbol directly.
- The degree symbol works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms — the method is the same regardless of the process.
Windows: Using the Alt code on a numeric keypad
If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, this is the fastest method. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard. While holding Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad — not the number row at the top. The 0 comes first, then 1, 7, 6. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears where your cursor was.
This works in Word, email, spreadsheets, web forms, and most text fields. The numeric keypad is essential — the number keys at the top of the keyboard will not work. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, skip to the Character Map section below.
Windows: Using Character Map when you have no numeric keypad
Laptop keyboards often omit the numeric keypad, so Alt codes do not work. Instead, open Character Map. Press the Windows key, type charmap, and press Enter. The Character Map window opens with a grid of symbols.
In the search box at the bottom, type degree. The grid narrows to show the degree symbol. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. Go to your document or email, click where you want the symbol, and press Ctrl+V to paste it. This takes longer than an Alt code, but it works on any Windows machine.
Mac: Using the keyboard shortcut
On Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. This combination works in any process — email, documents, web browsers, and text fields. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears.
If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are pressing Option (also labeled Alt on some keyboards), not Command. The Command key will not produce the degree symbol. This shortcut is consistent across all Mac devices and works whether you are using an external keyboard or the built-in keyboard on a MacBook.
Chromebook and Android: Long-press the 0 key
On a Chromebook or Android phone, long-press the 0 key — hold your finger on it for about one second. A menu pops up showing variations of the 0, including the degree symbol. Tap the degree symbol to insert it into your document or text field.
This method works in Gmail, Google Docs, text messages, and most other applications on Chromebooks and phones. The long-press menu is the standard way to access special characters on these devices, so the same technique works for other symbols as well.
iPhone and iPad: Using the keyboard menu
On iPhone and iPad, long-press the 0 key just as you would on Android. A menu appears with the degree symbol and other number variants. Tap the degree symbol to insert it.
If the menu does not appear, make sure you are pressing and holding, not just tapping. The symbol works in email, Notes, Messages, and any text field in any process. Some third-party keyboards may behave differently, but the built-in Apple keyboard uses this long-press method.
Using the degree symbol in different applications
The method you use to type the degree symbol is the same whether you are writing in email, a document, a spreadsheet, or a web form. The symbol itself is identical across all applications. Type it using the method for your device, and it will appear exactly the same in Gmail as it does in Microsoft Word or Google Sheets.
Some applications have their own symbol menus — Word and Google Docs both have Insert menus where you can search for Special Characters. These are slower than keyboard shortcuts, but they work if you forget the shortcut. For regular use, the keyboard method is faster and works everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Alt code not work on my Windows laptop?
Your laptop likely does not have a numeric keypad. The Alt code 0176 only works with the numeric keypad on the right side of full-size keyboards. Use Character Map instead: press Windows key, type charmap, find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it into your document.
Does the degree symbol work in all applications?
Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that works in email, documents, spreadsheets, web forms, text messages, and any process that accepts text. The method to type it is the same regardless of what you are using.
What if I need to type the degree symbol frequently?
Learn the keyboard shortcut for your device — it becomes automatic after a few uses. Windows users with a numeric keypad should memorize Alt+0176. Mac users should memorize Shift+Option+8. Both take seconds once you know them.
Can I copy and paste the degree symbol from somewhere?
Yes. You can copy the symbol from this page (°) or from Character Map and paste it whenever you need it. This is slower than using a keyboard shortcut, but it works if you forget the method for your device.
Does the degree symbol look different on different devices?
No. The degree symbol is the same character on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone, and Android. It may appear slightly different depending on the font you are using, but the symbol itself is identical across all devices and applications.