The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a key on your keyboard, so you need a shortcut or menu command to insert it. The method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether you are typing in a word processor, email, or web browser. Most people find the quickest route is a keyboard combination that works in nearly any program.

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press the 8 key at the top of the letter row. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift together and type u, then type 00b0, then press Space or Enter.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to insert a degree symbol in almost any program.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option and press 8 to type the degree symbol without switching windows or menus.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, Windows offers an on-screen calculator or character map as a backup method.
  • Most word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs also have Insert menus where you can search for and insert the degree symbol by name.
  • The Alt code method works in email, web forms, and messaging apps, making it the most portable solution across programs.

Windows: Using the Alt code method

The Alt code is the fastest method on Windows because it works in nearly every program without opening menus. Make sure you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready where your cursor is.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), you have two other options. Many laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed by holding Fn and using certain letter keys, usually marked with small numbers. Check your keyboard for these markings. If that does not work, open the Character Map process by typing "charmap" in the Windows search box, find the degree symbol in the list, click it, click Copy, then paste it where you need it.

Mac: Using the Option key shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol shortcut is built into the system and works in any program. Hold Shift and Option (also called Alt) at the same time, then press the 8 key on the top row of your keyboard. Release all keys and the degree symbol appears. This method is faster than opening menus and works in email, web forms, and text editors.

If you type the degree symbol often, you can add it to your Mac's text replacement shortcuts. Go to System Settings, then Keyboard, then Text Replacement. Click the plus sign, type a short code like "deg" in the Replace column, paste the degree symbol in the With column, then click Add. Now whenever you type "deg" followed by a space, your Mac automatically replaces it with °.

Linux: Using the Ctrl+Shift+U method

Linux uses a Unicode input method that works in most applications. Hold Ctrl and Shift together and press u. You will see a small "u" with an underline appear on your screen. Type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol replaces the underlined u.

This method works in text editors, email clients, and web browsers, but some older applications may not support it. If the Unicode method does not work in a specific program, try copying and pasting the degree symbol from another source, or use your process's Insert menu if it has one.

Using Insert menus in word processors

Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice all have Insert menus where you can search for the degree symbol by name. In Word, click Insert, then Special Character (or Symbol on older versions), type "degree" in the search box, click the degree symbol in the results, then click Insert. In Google Docs, click Insert, then Special Characters, then search for "degree" the same way. This method is slower than keyboard shortcuts but works if you forget the code.

The Insert menu method is useful if you need other special characters in the same document, because you can browse the full list and insert multiple symbols without switching between keyboard shortcuts. However, for typing a single degree symbol quickly, the keyboard shortcut is always faster.

Copying and pasting from other sources

If you cannot remember the shortcut and your program does not have an Insert menu, you can copy the degree symbol from anywhere it already exists and paste it where you need it. Search for "degree symbol" in your web browser, copy the symbol from the search results, then paste it into your document or email. This method works in any program that supports copy and paste, including web forms and messaging apps.

Keeping a text file with commonly used symbols on your desktop is another option. Create a file called "symbols.txt", paste the degree symbol and any other characters you use often, then open it whenever you need to copy one. This is slower than learning the keyboard shortcut, but it requires no memorization.

Troubleshooting when the shortcut does not work

If the Alt code does not work on Windows, check that you are using the numeric keypad and not the number row. Some programs, particularly web browsers and email clients, may not accept Alt codes. Try the copy-and-paste method instead. If Num Lock is off (check the light on your keyboard), the numeric keypad will not work—press Num Lock to turn it on.

On Mac, if the Shift+Option+8 shortcut does not work, your keyboard layout may be different. Some non-English keyboard layouts use different key combinations. Check your System Settings under Keyboard and Input Sources to see your current layout, or try the copy-and-paste method. On Linux, if Ctrl+Shift+U does not work, your system may have a different input method configured—check your input settings or use copy and paste instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet keyboard?

On iPhone, hold the 0 (zero) key and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option—tap it to insert. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app, but most show the degree symbol when you long-press the 0 key. On iPad, use the same method as iPhone. If your keyboard app does not show it, copy and paste from a web search instead.

What if I need to type degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Type the degree symbol using your keyboard shortcut, then when ready type the letter C or F. For example, on Windows, Alt+0176 followed by C produces °C. No space goes between the symbol and the letter. Some word processors have autocorrect rules that automatically convert "degC" to "°C" if you set them up in your preferences.

Does the Alt code work in web browsers and email?

The Alt code works in most web browsers and email programs, including Gmail, Outlook, and Firefox. However, some older web forms or specialized applications may not accept it. If the shortcut does not work, use the copy-and-paste method instead. Testing the shortcut in a new email draft first is a good way to confirm it works before you need it in an important message.

Why does my keyboard not have a numeric keypad?

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad to save space. If your keyboard has small numbers printed on the letter keys (usually in the upper right area), you can set up the hidden numeric keypad by holding Fn and using those keys. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad at all, use the Character Map process on Windows, the copy-and-paste method, or your program's Insert menu instead.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol on Windows?

Windows does not have a built-in text replacement feature like Mac does, but you can use third-party tools like AutoHotkey to create custom shortcuts. However, learning the Alt+0176 code is faster than setting up software. If you type the degree symbol very often, consider using a text expansion tool like TextExpander, which works across all Windows programs and lets you type a short code that expands to any text or symbol you choose.