The degree symbol (°) on Windows, Mac, and Linux

The degree symbol does not have its own key on most keyboards, so you need a keyboard shortcut or a special character menu. The method depends on what operating system you use and what program you are typing in.

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears. This works in most programs — Word, email, browsers, spreadsheets. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, you can use the Character Map program instead: press Windows key + R, type charmap, find the degree symbol in the list, click it, click Copy, then paste it where you need it.

On Mac, hold Shift + Option and press 8. That is the fastest method in any program. If that does not work in your specific process, open the Special Characters menu by pressing Control + Command + Space, search for "degree", click the symbol, and click Insert.

On Linux, the method varies by desktop environment. In most cases, hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter. If that does not work, use your process's Insert menu — most Linux text editors and office programs have a Special Characters or Insert Symbol option.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to produce the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any program.
  • On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space to insert the degree symbol.
  • If keyboard shortcuts do not work in your program, use the built-in character or symbol menu: Character Map on Windows, Special Characters on Mac, or Insert Symbol in most Linux applications.
  • The degree symbol is Unicode character U+00B0, which is why the Linux method uses those numbers.

When the keyboard shortcut does not work

Some programs do not recognize the Alt code method on Windows — older software, some web browsers, and certain text fields in online forms sometimes ignore it. If the shortcut produces nothing or the wrong character, switch to Character Map instead. Character Map is built into Windows and does not depend on the program you are using.

To open Character Map, press the Windows key, type charmap, and press Enter. Scroll down or search for "degree" in the search box at the top. Click the degree symbol (°), then click the Copy button. Go back to your program and paste it with Ctrl + V. This method works everywhere because you are pasting a character that has already been created, rather than asking the program to interpret a code.

Typing temperature and angle measurements

The degree symbol is most commonly used for temperature (72°F or 25°C) and angles (a 90° turn). In both cases, type the number first, then add the degree symbol when ready after with no space. Some style guides ask for a space between the number and the F or C, and some do not — check the guide your workplace or school uses.

If you type temperature or angles often, consider creating a keyboard shortcut or text expansion in your program. In Microsoft Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, then add a shortcut like typing "deg" to automatically expand to "°". Many email programs and note-taking apps have similar features.

The degree symbol in different programs

Most programs — Word, Google Docs, email, spreadsheets, web browsers — accept the keyboard shortcuts listed above. A few programs have their own symbol menus that are faster or more reliable.

In Microsoft Word, you can also go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, find the degree symbol, and click Insert. In Google Docs, go to Insert > Special Characters, search for "degree", and click it. In LibreOffice (free office software), go to Insert > Special Character. These menus are slower than keyboard shortcuts, but they show you exactly what you are inserting and work the same way every time.

In web browsers and online forms, the keyboard shortcut usually works, but if it does not, copy and paste from Character Map or from a search result. straightforward search "degree symbol" in your browser, copy the ° from the search results, and paste it into the form.

Mobile phones and tablets

On iPhone and iPad, hold down the 0 (zero) key on the keyboard and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. Tap it to insert it.

On Android, the method depends on your keyboard app. On the default Google Keyboard, press and hold the 0 key. On Samsung keyboards, swipe down on the number row or look for a symbols menu. If neither works, tap the ?123 button to switch to the symbol keyboard, then look for the degree symbol or use the search function if your keyboard has one.

Why the degree symbol is not on the keyboard

The standard keyboard layout was designed in the 1870s for typewriters and has not changed much since. It includes letters, numbers, and a few punctuation marks that were common in everyday typing. The degree symbol was not common enough to earn its own key, so it lives in the special character set instead.

Modern keyboards could include more symbols, but changing the layout would confuse people who learned the current one, and most people type the degree symbol rarely enough that a shortcut is not a burden. If you type it many times a day, the text expansion method (creating "deg" to expand to "°") is worth the two minutes it takes to set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if Alt + 0176 types numbers instead of the degree symbol?

You are using the number row instead of the numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is the separate block of number keys on the right side of most full-size keyboards. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad (common on laptops), use Character Map instead. Press Windows key + R, type charmap, find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it where you need it.

Can I use the degree symbol in file names?

Yes, on Mac and Linux. On Windows, the degree symbol is allowed in file names, but some older programs may not read it correctly. If you are sharing files with others or using old software, use "deg" or "degrees" in the file name instead to avoid problems.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol my own keyboard key?

Not easily on standard keyboards. The fastest alternative is text expansion: in Word or most email programs, set up a shortcut so typing "deg" automatically becomes "°". On Mac, you can remap keys using System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, which works across all programs. On Windows, third-party software like AutoHotkey can do this, but it requires some setup.

Why does the degree symbol sometimes look different in different programs?

Different fonts render the degree symbol slightly differently — it may be higher, lower, larger, or smaller depending on the typeface. This is normal and does not mean you typed it wrong. If it looks wrong in a specific program, try changing the font or checking whether the program has a symbol size setting.