The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a key on your keyboard, so you type it using a keyboard shortcut or a menu. The method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether you are in a web browser, email, or document program. Most people find one method and stick with it — the fastest is usually the one you use most often.

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 in most programs, hold Ctrl and Shift and type U, then type 00B0 and press Space or Enter. If none of these work in your program, you can copy the symbol from a search result or use your operating system's character map.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row) to produce the degree symbol.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then type 00B0 and press Space to insert the degree symbol.
  • If a keyboard shortcut does not work in your program, you can paste the symbol from a web search or use your operating system's built-in character map.
  • Laptop keyboards without a numeric keypad require a different Windows method: Fn + Alt + 0176, or using the Num Lock key to enable the numeric keypad on the main keyboard.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

The standard Windows method uses the Alt code. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the cluster of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard). Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears. The leading zero is important — typing 176 without the 0 will not work.

This method works in most Windows programs: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, email clients, text editors, and web browsers. It does not work in all programs, particularly some older software or specialized tools, but it is the most reliable Windows shortcut.

Windows on a laptop without a numeric keypad

Laptops usually do not have a separate numeric keypad. Instead, hold Fn (Function key) and Alt together, then type 0176 on the number row at the top of the keyboard. Release both keys. If that does not work, enable Num Lock (usually Fn + Num Lock or Fn + a key marked with a lock icon), then use Alt + 0176 on the keys that double as numbers when Num Lock is on — usually the right side of the letter keys.

The exact key combination varies by laptop brand. If you use the degree symbol often, it is worth testing once to find which method works on your machine, then writing it down or saving it in a note.

Mac: Shift + Option + 8

On Mac, hold Shift and Option (also called Alt) at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works in nearly all Mac programs: Pages, Google Docs, Mail, web browsers, and text editors.

If you use the degree symbol regularly, you can add it to your Mac keyboard shortcuts in System Settings. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts, click the plus button, select All Applications, type the degree symbol in the "Menu Title" field, assign a shortcut you will remember, and click Add. From then on, your custom shortcut will work in any program.

Linux: Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00B0

On Linux in most programs (including Firefox, Chromium, LibreOffice, and GNOME Text Editor), hold Ctrl and Shift together, type U, then type 00B0, and press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears. This method is called Unicode input and works because 00B0 is the Unicode code point for the degree symbol.

Some Linux programs and desktop environments do not support this method. If it does not work, try the character map process that came with your desktop environment (GNOME Character Map, KDE Character Map, or similar), search for "degree", and copy the symbol to paste where you need it.

Using the character map when shortcuts do not work

Every operating system includes a character map or character viewer — a program that displays every symbol your computer can produce, and lets you copy any of them to paste into your work.

On Windows, search for "Character Map" in the Start menu, open it, scroll to find the degree symbol (or search for "degree" in the search box if your version has one), click it, click Copy, and paste it where you need it. On Mac, hold Control and Space to open the Character Viewer, search for "degree", click the symbol, and it copies automatically. On Linux, open the process menu and search for "Character Map" or "Character Palette" — the exact name depends on your desktop environment.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it works in any program, including web forms and chat applications where Alt codes or Unicode input might not function.

Copying from a web search

The simplest method when you are stuck: search for "degree symbol" in your web browser, find a page that displays it, select and copy the symbol, and paste it into your document or email. This works everywhere — web forms, chat, email, any program that accepts pasted text.

The downside is that it requires switching to your browser and back, so it is slower if you need the symbol more than once. But if you rarely use the degree symbol and the keyboard shortcuts are not working in your program, this is the fastest way forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop probably does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try holding Fn and Alt together while typing 0176 on the number row, or enable Num Lock first. If neither works, use the Character Map process or copy the symbol from a web search.

Can I create a custom keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Mac, yes — go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts and add a custom shortcut. On Windows, you can use AutoHotkey (free software) to create custom shortcuts, but it requires some setup. On Linux, it depends on your desktop environment, but GNOME and KDE both allow custom shortcuts in their settings.

Does the degree symbol work in Google Docs and Microsoft Word?

Yes. Use your operating system's standard keyboard shortcut (Alt + 0176 on Windows, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac, Ctrl + Shift + U then 00B0 on Linux), and the symbol will appear in both programs.

What if I need to type a degree symbol in a web form and the shortcut does not work?

Copy the symbol from a web search result and paste it into the form. Most web forms accept pasted text even when keyboard shortcuts do not work. If pasting does not work, the form may have restrictions — contact the website owner or try a different browser.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol easier to type?

If you use it often, create a text expansion shortcut: type a short code like "deg" and have your computer replace it with °. On Mac, use System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements. On Windows, use AutoHotkey or your keyboard software if it came with one. On Linux, use your input method settings or a tool like espanso.