The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a key on your keyboard, so you make it using a combination of keys or a 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.

If you do not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process built into Windows, search for "degree", and copy the symbol to paste where you need it. This is slower for one symbol but useful if you type degrees often and want to set up a keyboard shortcut.

On any system, you can also copy the degree symbol from this text (°) and paste it wherever you work. This works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms. It is the slowest method for regular use but requires no memorization.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to produce the degree symbol when ready.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol without a numeric keypad.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space to insert the symbol.
  • If your laptop has no numeric keypad, Windows Character Map lets you search for and copy the degree symbol to use repeatedly.
  • You can copy the degree symbol from any document and paste it into your work as a backup method.

Windows numeric keypad method

The Alt code method is the fastest if your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side. Make sure Num Lock is on — you will see a light on your keyboard or a small indicator on screen. Hold down the Alt key with your left hand and type 0176 on the numeric keypad with your right hand. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

The leading zero matters. Typing 176 without the zero will not work. If nothing appears, check that Num Lock is on and that you are using the numeric keypad on the right, not the number row at the top of the keyboard.

Windows without a numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad entirely. On these machines, open the Start menu and search for Character Map. The process opens with a grid of characters. In the search box at the bottom, type degree and the symbol appears highlighted. Click it once, then click the Copy button.

Now go to the document, email, or form where you need the symbol and paste it using Ctrl + V. You can leave Character Map open if you need the symbol multiple times, or close it and repeat the process later. Some people bookmark this page or keep a text file with the symbol copied so they can paste it without opening Character Map each time.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol uses the Option key, which is labeled Alt on some keyboards. Press and hold Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. The symbol appears when ready. This works in any process — email, documents, web browsers, spreadsheets — without any additional steps.

If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are holding all three keys at once and that you are pressing the number 8 on the top row, not on a numeric keypad. The order of the keys does not matter as long as all three are held together.

Linux and other systems

On Linux, the method depends on your input method, but the most common approach is the Unicode input method. Hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0 (the Unicode code for degree), then press Space or Enter. The symbol appears and the input method resets for the next character.

Some Linux desktop environments use different input methods. If Ctrl + Shift + U does not work, check your system settings under Input Method or Keyboard. Alternatively, use the same copy-and-paste method described for Windows — it works on any system with a web browser or text editor.

Setting up a custom keyboard shortcut

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperature readings, angles, or geographic coordinates — you can create a custom shortcut on Windows or Mac. On Windows, open Notepad, type the degree symbol (copy it from Character Map or paste it from this page), then save the file. Some text editors and productivity software let you create text shortcuts: type a short code like deg and the software automatically replaces it with °.

On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and create a new replacement. Type deg in the "Replace" field and paste the degree symbol in the "With" field. Now whenever you type deg followed by a space, it becomes °. This works in most applications, though some specialized software may not support it.

Using the degree symbol in different programs

The degree symbol works the same way in email, word processors, spreadsheets, and web forms. In Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can also use the Insert menu: click Insert > Special Characters (or Symbol on older versions), search for degree, and click to insert it. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but useful if you forget the code.

In spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets, the symbol behaves like any other character. You can type it into a cell, use it in a formula result, or include it in a chart label. Some spreadsheet users create a cell containing just the degree symbol, then reference that cell in formulas to avoid retyping it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Use Character Map instead: search for it in the Start menu, type degree in the search box, click the symbol, click Copy, then paste it where you need it. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad activated by holding Fn + Num Lock, but Character Map is more reliable.

Can I use the degree symbol in passwords or usernames?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Some websites and systems do not accept special characters in passwords or usernames, and the degree symbol may cause problems when you try to log in from a different device or keyboard layout. Stick to letters, numbers, and common symbols like hyphens or underscores for login credentials.

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

On iPhone, hold down the zero key and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app, but most show the symbol if you long-press the zero key or access the symbols panel. Check your keyboard app's settings if the symbol does not appear.

What if I need the degree symbol but do not know the code?

Copy it from any source — this page, a search result, a document you have already created — and paste it into your work. You can also keep a text file or note with the symbol saved so you can copy it whenever you need it without looking up the code.