The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on most keyboards, so you type it using a keyboard shortcut or a character menu. 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.

These shortcuts work in almost any program — email, documents, spreadsheets, web browsers. The numeric keypad method on Windows is the fastest once you memorize it. The Mac shortcut is shorter to remember. Linux varies by desktop environment, but the Unicode method works everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows: Hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), release Alt.
  • Mac: Hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8.
  • Linux: Hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, type 00B0, then press Space or Enter.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, Windows offers a character map tool or you can remap a key to make the shortcut easier.
  • The degree symbol works in all programs — documents, email, spreadsheets, web forms — without any special setup.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad is the small cluster of number keys on the right side of most full-size keyboards. Laptops and compact keyboards often do not have one, which is why this method fails on those devices.

To type the degree symbol on Windows with a numeric keypad: hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The symbol appears when ready. This works in Word, Notepad, email, web forms, and almost anywhere else you can type.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the Character Map tool instead. Press the Windows key, type "character map," and open the app. Search for "degree" or scroll to find the ° symbol, click it, click Copy, then paste it where you need it. This is slower than a shortcut but works on any Windows keyboard.

Mac: The Shift-Option-8 shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol shortcut is Shift + Option + 8. Hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. The symbol appears in any program — Mail, Pages, Google Docs, web browsers, or text editors.

This shortcut is shorter than the Windows Alt code and works on all Mac keyboards, including laptops and wireless keyboards. There is no numeric keypad requirement. If you type the degree symbol often, you can add it to your Mac's text replacements so that typing a short code (like "deg") automatically expands to °.

Linux: The Ctrl-Shift-U Unicode method

On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift together, type the letter U, then type 00B0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The symbol appears in most applications.

This method works on most Linux desktop environments including GNOME and KDE, though some applications or input methods may not support it. If it does not work in a specific program, that program may have its own character insertion menu — check the Insert menu or right-click to see if a Special Characters or Symbols option is available.

Using the character menu in any program

Every major operating system includes a character or symbol menu that lets you search for and insert the degree symbol without memorizing a shortcut. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works when you forget the code.

In Microsoft Word, go to Insert > Symbol, search for "degree," and click Insert. In Google Docs, go to Insert > Special Characters, type "degree" in the search box, and click the symbol. In most text editors and web browsers, you can right-click and look for an Insert Special Character or Symbols option. Once you insert it once, you can usually copy and paste it again in the same document.

Remapping a key if you type the degree symbol often

If you type temperatures, angles, or coordinates regularly, remapping a rarely-used key to the degree symbol saves time. On Windows, you can use AutoHotkey (free software) to remap a key — for example, making the Scroll Lock key type the degree symbol when pressed. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and create a text replacement that expands a short code like "°" or "deg" into the actual symbol.

Linux users can edit their keyboard layout file or use a tool like xmodmap to remap a key. This approach takes a few minutes to set up but pays off if you type the symbol multiple times per day. For occasional use, the standard shortcuts are faster to learn.

Why the degree symbol is not on the keyboard

The degree symbol is not a dedicated key because it is used less often than letters, numbers, and punctuation. Keyboards have a limited number of keys, so manufacturers prioritize the most common characters. The symbol is still straightforward to access through shortcuts or menus, which is why it has remained this way across all operating systems.

The same is true for other special characters like the copyright symbol (©), the euro sign (€), and mathematical symbols. Once you learn the shortcut for one, you can usually find others using the same method — the Character Map on Windows, the Special Characters menu on Mac, or the Unicode input method on Linux.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol work in email and web forms?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard Unicode character that works in Gmail, Outlook, web browsers, and any text field that accepts typed text. Type it using your operating system's shortcut, and it will appear and send normally. Some very old systems or poorly designed forms may not display it correctly, but this is rare.

What if the Alt code does not work on my Windows laptop?

Laptops usually do not have a numeric keypad. Use the Character Map tool instead: press Windows key, type "character map," open the app, search for "degree," click the symbol, click Copy, then paste it where you need it. Alternatively, you can enable Num Lock on the laptop's built-in number row and try the Alt code again, though this varies by laptop model.

Can I copy and paste the degree symbol instead of typing the shortcut?

Yes. You can copy the ° symbol from anywhere — a web page, another document, or the Character Map — and paste it into your document. This works but is slower than using a shortcut if you need the symbol more than once. For frequent use, learning the shortcut is faster.

Does the degree symbol look the same in all fonts?

The degree symbol looks slightly different depending on the font, but it is always recognizable. Some fonts make it larger or smaller relative to the text, and some position it higher or lower. If the symbol looks wrong in your document, try changing the font or adjusting the font size to see if it improves the appearance.

How do I type other special characters I do not know the code for?

Use your operating system's character menu: Character Map on Windows, Special Characters on Mac (press Ctrl + Cmd + Space), or the Unicode input method on Linux. Search by name or browse by category. You can also copy special characters from web pages or use online character databases and paste them into your document.