The fastest way: Alt code on Windows

On a Windows computer, hold down the Alt key and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard). Release Alt and the ° symbol appears. This works in Word, email, spreadsheets, and most other programs.

The numeric keypad is essential — typing 0176 on the regular number row above the letters will not work. If your laptop does not have a dedicated numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock and use the number keys built into the letter section, usually marked with small numbers in the corner of each key.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol when ready by holding Alt and pressing 0176 on the numeric keypad.
  • Mac users should press Shift + Option + 8 to produce the degree symbol in any program.
  • Word's Insert menu offers a Symbol dialog where you can search for the degree symbol by name and insert it without memorizing a code.
  • If you type the degree symbol often, you can create a keyboard shortcut in Word so a few keystrokes produce it automatically.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On a Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 (the 8 key on the number row, not a numeric keypad). The degree symbol appears when ready. This shortcut works in Word, email, web browsers, and most other Mac applications.

If you have an external keyboard connected to your Mac, the same shortcut applies. The Option key is sometimes labeled Alt on third-party keyboards, but the function is the same.

Using Word's Symbol dialog

If you forget the keyboard shortcut or prefer not to use Alt codes, Word has a built-in Symbol tool. Click the Insert tab in the ribbon at the top of the page, then click Symbol (on the far right of the ribbon). A dropdown menu appears — click More Symbols at the bottom.

The Symbol dialog opens. In the search field at the bottom, type degree. The degree symbol appears in the list. Click it once to select it, then click Insert. Close the dialog when you are done. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but requires no memorization.

Creating a custom shortcut in Word

If you type the degree symbol regularly, you can set up a shortcut that requires fewer keystrokes. Open the Symbol dialog again (Insert > Symbol > More Symbols), select the degree symbol, and look for a button labeled Shortcut Key near the bottom of the dialog. Click it.

A small window appears asking you to press the key combination you want to use. Choose something you will remember and that does not conflict with existing shortcuts — for example, Ctrl + Shift + D. Type it, click Assign, then Close. From that point forward, your custom shortcut will produce the degree symbol in that Word document and in other Office programs on your computer.

When you need the degree symbol in a formula or field

If you are writing a temperature in a spreadsheet or a measurement in a table, the degree symbol works the same way — use your keyboard shortcut or the Alt code. The symbol is just a character, so it behaves like any other text.

In some cases, if you are working with scientific notation or formulas that require special formatting, check whether your program has a dedicated unit or function. Most of the time, though, the plain degree symbol is what you need.

Copying and pasting from elsewhere

If you already have a degree symbol somewhere — in an email, a web page, or another document — you can straightforward copy it and paste it into Word. Highlight the symbol, press Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac), click where you want it in Word, and press Ctrl + V (or Cmd + V). This is useful if you have a keyboard that makes shortcuts difficult to remember.

You can also keep a small text file with commonly used symbols and copy from it whenever you need one. Some people create a Word document with a single line containing the degree symbol, then copy from it as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt + 0176 not work on my laptop?

Your laptop likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock (usually a key labeled Num Lk or Fn + Num Lk) and then typing 0176 using the number keys embedded in your letter keys. If that does not work, use the Mac shortcut, the Symbol dialog, or copy and paste instead.

Is there a difference between the degree symbol and the letter O?

Yes. The degree symbol (°) is smaller and positioned higher than the letter O. They look similar but are different characters. Using the actual degree symbol makes your document look professional and ensures screen readers and other assistive technology recognize it correctly.

Can I use these shortcuts in Google Docs or other online programs?

The Windows Alt code and Mac Shift + Option + 8 work in most online programs, including Google Docs, Gmail, and web-based forms. The Symbol dialog is specific to Microsoft Word, but you can always copy the degree symbol from Word and paste it elsewhere.

What if I need to type many degree symbols in one document?

Create a custom keyboard shortcut in Word (see the section above), or use Find and Replace. Type a placeholder like [deg], then use Find and Replace to swap all instances of [deg] with the actual degree symbol at once.