The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not on most keyboards, but every operating system has a built-in way to type it. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, then type 00B0 and press Enter or Space.

If you use these symbols regularly — for temperatures, angles, or coordinates — learning the keyboard shortcut for your system takes about 30 seconds and saves you from hunting through character menus every time. The method you choose depends on whether you have a numeric keypad, what program you are using, and how often you need the symbol.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to produce the degree symbol.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then 00B0, then press Enter or Space.
  • Laptops without a numeric keypad can use character maps or copy-paste as a backup when keyboard shortcuts do not work.
  • Some programs like Microsoft Word have their own symbol menus that may be faster than system shortcuts.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

The most reliable method on Windows is the Alt code. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears. This works in almost every Windows program — email, word processors, spreadsheets, browsers, and text editors.

The numeric keypad is the block of number keys on the far right of a full-size keyboard. If you are on a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, you may have a secondary number pad hidden under the letters — usually activated by holding Fn and pressing Num Lock. Check your keyboard's manual or look for small numbers printed on the letter keys. If your laptop has no numeric keypad at all, use the Character Map instead (see the section below).

The Alt code method works because Windows interprets the number sequence as a Unicode character. The code 0176 specifically represents the degree symbol in the Unicode standard. Make sure Num Lock is on — you will see a light on the Num Lock key if it is active.

Mac: Shift + Option + 8

On Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. This is faster than Windows because you do not need to remember a number code. The combination works in any Mac program — Mail, Pages, Numbers, Safari, and most third-party applications.

If the shortcut does not work, check that you are using the correct keys. Option is the key labeled "Option" or "Alt" on the right side of your keyboard (not the Command key). Shift is the key above Caps Lock. Press all three at once, then tap 8 once, and release. The degree symbol should appear when ready.

If you use the degree symbol often, you can add it to your Mac's text replacement shortcuts. Go to System Settings, then Keyboard, then Text Replacement. Create a new entry where the phrase is the degree symbol and the replacement is a short code like "deg" — then you can type "deg" and Mac will replace it with ° automatically.

Linux: Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00B0

On Linux, the method depends on your input method, but the most common approach is Ctrl + Shift + U. Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type 00B0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Enter or Space. The symbol appears and the input mode returns to normal.

This works in most Linux applications including text editors, browsers, and email clients. If it does not work, your system may use a different input method. Check your Linux distribution's documentation or try the Character Map process, which is usually available in your applications menu under Accessories or System Tools.

Some Linux desktop environments also allow you to set custom keyboard shortcuts. If you type the degree symbol very often, you can create a shortcut that produces it with a single key combination — this varies by desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, Xfce), so check your settings menu under Keyboard or Input.

Using Character Map when shortcuts do not work

Every operating system includes a character map or symbol viewer that lets you find and copy any symbol, including the degree symbol. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works when shortcuts fail or when you are on an unfamiliar computer.

On Windows, search for "Character Map" in the Start menu. Type "degree" in the search box or scroll down to find the ° symbol. Click it, then click Copy, and paste it into your document with Ctrl + V. On Mac, open Spotlight (Command + Space), type "Character Viewer", and search for "degree" — click the symbol and it copies to your clipboard. On Linux, open the Character Map process from your applications menu, search for "degree", and copy it the same way.

Copying and pasting works in every program, including web browsers and email. If you need the symbol once or twice, this is often faster than learning a keyboard shortcut. If you need it regularly, the shortcut is worth the small effort to memorize.

Using degree symbols in specific programs

Microsoft Word and Google Docs have their own symbol insertion menus that some people find easier than keyboard shortcuts. In Word, go to Insert, then Symbol, then find the degree symbol and click Insert. In Google Docs, go to Insert, then Special Characters, search for "degree", and click it. Both methods work but require more clicks than a keyboard shortcut.

Spreadsheet programs like Excel and Google Sheets work the same way — use Insert > Symbol in Excel or Insert > Special Characters in Google Sheets. If you are entering many degree symbols in a spreadsheet, a keyboard shortcut is much faster because you do not have to leave the cell or use the mouse.

Web-based applications and email services vary. Gmail, Outlook.com, and most email clients support the system keyboard shortcuts (Alt + 0176 on Windows, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac). If a web process does not respond to your keyboard shortcut, copy and paste from Character Map instead.

Choosing between shortcuts and copy-paste

If you type the degree symbol more than once a week, memorize the keyboard shortcut for your system. It takes 30 seconds to learn and saves you minutes over a month. If you use it rarely, keep a note of the shortcut or use copy-paste from Character Map when you need it.

For people who type degree symbols constantly — scientists, engineers, weather forecasters, or anyone writing technical documents — the keyboard shortcut becomes automatic within a few days of use. Your fingers learn the pattern the same way they learn any other key combination.

If you switch between Windows and Mac regularly, write both shortcuts down and keep them visible until they stick. Windows (Alt + 0176) and Mac (Shift + Option + 8) are different enough that muscle memory does not transfer between them, but both are straightforward enough to remember with a little practice.

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 pressing Num Lock to set up the hidden number pad on your letter keys, then try Alt + 0176 again. If that does not work, use Character Map instead — search for it in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, and copy it.

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

On iPhone, hold down the 0 (zero) key and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option — tap it. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app, but most show a symbols menu when you tap the ?123 key, then look for the degree symbol or search for it. On both, copy-paste from a notes app is often faster.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol appear automatically when I type something?

Yes, most operating systems support text replacement or autocorrect. On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacement and create a shortcut like "deg" that becomes °. On Windows, you can set this up in some programs (Word has AutoCorrect under File > Options), but not system-wide. On Linux, it depends on your input method and desktop environment.

What if I need to type a degree symbol in a password or form that does not accept special characters?

Some websites and systems reject the degree symbol or do not display it correctly. If a form will not accept it, you may need to use a different character or spell out the word "degrees" instead. Check the form's instructions or contact the website's support to see what characters are allowed.

Does the degree symbol work the same way in all programs?

The keyboard shortcuts work in almost all programs on each operating system. The main exceptions are some older software, specialized applications, or web-based tools that have limited character support. If a shortcut does not work, try Character Map or copy-paste instead — those methods work almost everywhere.