The fastest way depends on what you are typing into

A degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard's main keys, so you have to use a shortcut or menu. The method that works fastest depends on whether you are in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, a web form, or plain text — each one has a different easiest path. On Windows, the numeric keypad shortcut works almost everywhere. On Mac, a two-key combination is usually fastest. If you do not have a numeric keypad, or if you are on a Chromebook or phone, there are other routes that take a few extra seconds.

The good news is that once you pick the method that fits your setup, you can type a degree symbol in under two seconds. You do not need to install anything or change your keyboard settings.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows with a numeric keypad, hold Alt and type 0176 on the number pad, then release Alt — this works in almost every program.
  • On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type a degree symbol in any program.
  • In Microsoft Word on any computer, type the degree symbol by going to Insert > Special Character and searching for "degree", or by typing 00B0 and pressing Alt + X.
  • On Chromebooks, Android phones, and iPads, hold down the zero key (0) until a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option.
  • In Google Docs, use Insert > Special Characters and search for "degree" if the keyboard shortcut does not work in your browser.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side (the separate block of number keys), this is the fastest method on Windows. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad — not the number row at the top of the keyboard — then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready.

This works in Word, email, web forms, text editors, and most other programs. The numeric keypad is essential: if you type 0176 on the number row at the top, nothing happens. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, skip to the section below for laptops and smaller keyboards.

A common mistake is releasing Alt too early. Hold Alt down the entire time you type 0176, then release it only after you finish typing the last digit. If you see a symbol that is not a degree symbol, you typed the wrong number or released Alt at the wrong moment — try again.

Mac: The two-key shortcut

On any Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 at the same time. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in every program — Word, email, web forms, text editors, and browsers. You do not need to do anything else.

If nothing happens, make sure you are pressing Option (not Alt, which is the same key but sometimes labeled differently on older keyboards) and that you are using the number 8 on the top row, not the numeric keypad. If you have an international keyboard layout set in System Preferences, the shortcut may be different — check Apple's support page for your specific layout.

Windows and Mac laptops without a numeric keypad

If your keyboard does not have a separate numeric keypad — common on laptops and compact keyboards — the Alt + 0176 method does not work. Instead, use the Insert menu in whatever program you are using. In Microsoft Word, click Insert at the top, then click Special Character (or Symbol on older versions). Search for "degree" and click the degree symbol to insert it.

In Google Docs, click Insert, then Special Characters, then search for "degree". In most web browsers and email programs, you can also right-click where you want the symbol and look for an Insert Special Character or Insert Symbol option, though this varies by program.

If your laptop has a Fn key, some keyboard shortcuts can be remapped to use Fn instead of Alt, but this requires changing system settings and is slower than using the Insert menu. The Insert menu method is more reliable and takes only a few seconds.

Microsoft Word: The fastest method on any computer

If you use Word regularly and want a shortcut that works on both Windows and Mac, type 00B0 (the Unicode code for degree), then press Alt + X on Windows or Control + Command + Space on Mac. The numbers convert to a degree symbol when ready. This works only in Word, not in other programs.

Alternatively, go to Insert > Special Character, search for "degree", and click it. This method is slightly slower but works the same way on every computer and every version of Word.

Chromebooks, Android phones, and iPads

On a Chromebook, hold down the 0 key (zero) for about one second until a menu appears with several options, including the degree symbol. Tap the degree symbol to insert it. This works in Google Docs, Gmail, web forms, and most other programs on a Chromebook.

On an Android phone or tablet, open the keyboard and hold down the 0 key the same way. A menu appears with the degree symbol as one of the options. On an iPad, hold down the 0 key and a menu appears — tap the degree symbol. If the menu does not appear, make sure you are holding the key down long enough (about one second) and that you are using the 0 key, not another number.

If the shortcut does not work in your program

Some programs do not recognize the Alt + 0176 shortcut or other keyboard shortcuts. If you type the shortcut and nothing happens, try copying and pasting a degree symbol instead. Search online for "degree symbol" and copy the ° character from the search results, then paste it where you need it. This works in any program that accepts text.

Another option is to use your program's Insert menu or Special Character tool, which almost always works. If your program does not have an Insert menu, check the Help section or search the program's name plus "how to insert special characters" to find the method specific to that program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Windows, you can remap a key or key combination in the Control Panel, but this is complex and not recommended unless you type degree symbols constantly. On Mac, you can create a text replacement in System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, where you set a short code (like "deg") to automatically expand to °. This is faster than learning a new shortcut if you use it often.

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

Your laptop likely does not have a numeric keypad. Use the Insert > Special Character menu in your program instead, or hold down the 0 key if you are on a Chromebook. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed by holding Fn and using certain keys, but this varies by model and is not worth learning.

Is there a difference between a degree symbol and a superscript zero?

Yes. A degree symbol (°) is a single character designed to look like a small circle. A superscript zero is the number 0 made smaller and raised above the line. They look similar but are different characters. Use the degree symbol for temperatures and angles, not a superscript zero.

Does the degree symbol work in all fonts?

The degree symbol exists in almost all fonts, so it should display correctly no matter what font you are using. If you see a box or question mark instead of the symbol, your program or browser may not support that character, but this is rare with modern software.

Can I type a degree symbol on a phone keyboard?

Yes. On iPhone, hold down the 0 key until a menu appears with the degree symbol. On Android, do the same with the 0 key. On both, you may need to hold for about one second before the menu appears. If it does not work, try switching to a different keyboard app, as some third-party keyboards do not support this feature.