The quickest way to type a degree sign
The degree symbol (°) does not have its own key on most keyboards, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, type u, then type 00b0 and press Space or Enter.
If you do not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: type the degree sign through the Character Map process or use the on-screen keyboard. The Alt code method is fastest once you memorize it, but the other routes work just as well if you only need the symbol occasionally.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can type Alt+0176 on the numeric keypad, or use Character Map if their keyboard lacks a numeric pad.
- Mac users hold Shift+Option and press 8 to produce the degree symbol when ready.
- Linux users type Ctrl+Shift+u, then 00b0, then Space to insert the degree sign.
- If you type the degree symbol often, you can create a text shortcut in most programs so a few letters auto-expand to the symbol.
Windows: Using the Alt code on a full keyboard
If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, the Alt code method is the fastest route. Make sure Num Lock is on — you will see a light on the Num Lock key or a small indicator on your screen. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready.
The number must be typed on the numeric keypad specifically. If you type it on the number row at the top of the keyboard, nothing happens. If you are unsure whether Num Lock is on, press the Num Lock key once and try again — the keypad will stop responding to numbers if you turn it off by accident.
Windows: Using Character Map when you have no numeric keypad
Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad, making the Alt code impossible to use. Instead, open Character Map: press the Windows key, type "character map", and click the result. A window opens showing hundreds of symbols.
In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the symbol appears. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. Switch to your document and paste it where you need it. This takes longer than an Alt code, but it works on any Windows machine and you can copy the symbol multiple times without repeating the search.
Mac: The Shift+Option+8 shortcut
On a Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. The degree symbol appears. This works on any Mac keyboard — desktop, laptop, or external — and is just as fast as the Windows Alt code once you remember the combination.
If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are holding both Shift and Option. Some people accidentally hold only Option, which produces a different character. Try the combination a second time, pressing all three keys together before releasing them.
Linux: The Ctrl+Shift+u method
On Linux, the process uses a Unicode input method. Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter u. Release the keys. Now type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol) and press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears in your document.
This method works in most Linux applications, but some older programs do not support Unicode input. If the symbol does not appear, try the method again in a different process — the issue is usually with the program, not your keyboard or system.
Creating a text shortcut for the degree symbol
If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperature readings, angles, or coordinates — you can set up a text shortcut so a few letters automatically expand to the symbol. In Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then Typing, and look for Text Suggestions or AutoCorrect. You can tell it to replace something like "deg" with °.
On Mac, go to System Settings, then Keyboard, then Text. Click the plus button and type a short phrase in the "Replace" column (like "deg") and the degree symbol in the "With" column. Now whenever you type "deg" followed by a space, it automatically becomes °. Most word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have their own shortcut systems as well — check the Tools or Settings menu.
Why the degree sign is not on the keyboard
The degree symbol is not common enough in everyday typing to warrant its own key. Most people type letters, numbers, and punctuation marks far more often, so keyboards prioritize those. The symbol does appear in specialized fields like science, engineering, and weather reporting, which is why every operating system includes a way to type it — the designers just put it behind a shortcut rather than on the physical keyboard.
Once you choose your method and use it a few times, the shortcut becomes automatic. Many people find the Alt code or Shift+Option+8 faster than searching for the symbol, especially if they need it multiple times in one document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy and paste the degree symbol instead of typing it?
Yes. You can copy the symbol from any document that already contains it, or from a search result, and paste it wherever you need it. This works but is slower than using a keyboard shortcut if you need the symbol more than once.
What if the Alt code does not work on my Windows laptop?
Your laptop likely does not have a numeric keypad. Use Character Map instead: press Windows key, type "character map", search for "degree", click it, click Copy, then paste it into your document. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed through Fn+Num Lock, but Character Map is more reliable.
Does the degree symbol work in all programs?
Yes. The symbol works in email, web browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, and text editors. It displays correctly on any device because it is a standard character, not a special font or image.
Can I type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?
On most phones, hold down the zero key (0) on the number pad and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On tablets with a keyboard, use the same shortcuts as a computer — Alt+0176 on Windows, Shift+Option+8 on Mac.