The fastest way depends on your device and what you're typing into

A degree symbol (°) is not on most keyboards, but you can type it in seconds once you know the method for your device. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. On a Chromebook or phone, long-press the 0 key in the number row and select the degree symbol from the menu that appears. In any web browser or document, you can also type the HTML code ° and it will convert to °.

The method you use most often depends on whether you're typing in a word processor, a web form, an email, or a text message. Some applications convert codes automatically; others do not. Testing the method once in your actual process takes 10 seconds and saves you from guessing later.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of a full-size keyboard).
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8.
  • Chromebook and phone users long-press the 0 key and select the degree symbol from the popup menu.
  • In web browsers and many online documents, typing ° converts to the degree symbol automatically.
  • If a method does not work in your process, try a different one — not all programs support all input methods equally.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

On a Windows computer with a full-size keyboard that includes a numeric keypad on the right, hold down the Alt key and type 0176 on that keypad. Release Alt and the degree symbol appears. This method works in almost all Windows applications — word processors, email clients, web browsers, and text editors.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), you may have a Num Lock key that activates a hidden numeric keypad overlaid on the letter keys. Check your keyboard manual or look for small numbers printed on the letter keys. If you find them, press Num Lock to set up the keypad, then use Alt+0176 as usual. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad at all, use the HTML code method instead.

Mac: Using the Option key combination

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option (the Option key is also labeled Alt on some keyboards) and press 8. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in most Mac applications including Pages, Word, Mail, and web browsers.

If you use this combination often, you can add the degree symbol to your Mac's text shortcuts so you can type a shorter code instead. Open System Settings, go to Keyboard, then Text Replacement, and create a new entry where the shortcut (for example, :deg) converts to °. After that, typing :deg in any process will expand to the degree symbol.

Chromebook and mobile devices: Long-press the 0 key

On a Chromebook, Android phone, or iPhone, open the keyboard and long-press (hold your finger on) the 0 key in the number row at the top. A menu of related symbols appears, including the degree symbol. Tap it and it inserts into your text.

This method works in any app that uses the standard keyboard — email, text messages, web forms, note-taking apps, and browsers. The exact symbols available depend on your device and keyboard app, but the degree symbol is almost always included in the 0 key menu.

Web browsers and online documents: Using the HTML code

In any web form, email composer, or online document (Google Docs, Microsoft 365, Notion, and similar), you can type ° and it will automatically convert to the degree symbol °. This works because these applications recognize HTML entity codes.

Type the ampersand (&), then deg, then a semicolon (;) with no spaces. The process converts it to ° as soon as you move to the next word or press space. If it does not convert, the process does not support HTML codes — switch to the keyboard shortcut for your device instead.

When a method does not work: Troubleshooting

If Alt+0176 does not work on Windows, confirm that Num Lock is on (usually a light on the keyboard indicates this). If you are using a laptop without a numeric keypad, the Alt code method will not work — use the HTML code or copy-paste from another source instead.

If Shift+Option+8 does not work on Mac, check that you are holding both keys at the same time. Some third-party keyboards or keyboard layouts may map this combination differently. If it fails, use the HTML code method or create a text shortcut as described above.

If long-press on 0 does not show the degree symbol on a phone or Chromebook, try long-pressing other number keys — some keyboards place it under a different key. You can also copy the symbol from a web search result and paste it into your text.

Copy and paste as a backup method

If none of the above methods work in your process, the simplest backup is to search for "degree symbol" in your web browser, copy the ° from the search results, and paste it into your document. This takes 15 seconds and works everywhere.

You can also save the degree symbol in a note or text file on your computer so you can copy it whenever you need it. Some people create a keyboard shortcut in their operating system settings to paste it with a single keystroke, though this requires more setup time upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there no degree symbol on my keyboard?

The degree symbol is used less often than letters and numbers, so manufacturers leave it off physical keyboards to keep them straightforward. Every device has a way to type it — you just use a key combination or menu instead of a dedicated key.

Does the method change if I am typing in a different language?

The keyboard shortcuts (Alt+0176 on Windows, Shift+Option+8 on Mac) work regardless of your language setting. The HTML code ° also works everywhere. If you switch keyboard layouts, the long-press method on phones may change, but the symbol itself remains the same.

Can I set up a single key to type the degree symbol?

On Mac, yes — use Text Replacement in System Settings to create a shortcut like :deg that expands to °. On Windows, you can use AutoHotkey (free software) to create a custom shortcut, though this requires some setup. On phones and Chromebooks, the long-press menu is the built-in method.

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

Learn the keyboard shortcut for your device and use it repeatedly — it becomes automatic after a few uses. Alternatively, type one degree symbol, copy it, and paste it as many times as you need. Some word processors also let you create a custom AutoCorrect entry so that typing a short code (like "deg") expands to °.

Does the degree symbol look different on different devices?

The symbol is the same across devices, though the exact size and style may vary slightly depending on the font. In most applications, it appears as a small circle positioned above the baseline of the text, similar to a superscript zero.