The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard as a dedicated key, but every operating system has a quick way to produce it. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift and type U, then type 00B0 and press Space or Enter. The method that works for you depends entirely on what you are running.

If you do not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops and compact keyboards — Windows offers an alternative: the Character Map process. Linux users without a numeric keypad can use the compose key method if their system supports it, or copy and paste from a reference page. None of these methods are difficult once you know which one your system uses.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad should use Alt + 0176; those without can open Character Map and search for "degree".
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 every time they need the symbol.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift, type U00B0, then press Space to insert the degree symbol.
  • If you type the degree symbol often, you can create a keyboard shortcut or autocorrect entry in most applications.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, this is the simplest method. 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. Make sure Num Lock is on — most keyboards have a light that shows this — or the numeric keypad will not work.

The number must be typed on the numeric keypad specifically. If you try this on the number row at the top of the keyboard, nothing happens. This is the most common mistake people make with this method.

Windows: Using Character Map if you have no numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad entirely. Windows includes a built-in tool called Character Map that solves this. Press the Windows key, type "character map" and open the process. In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the symbol appears in the list above. Double-click it, then click Copy. Paste it into your document with Ctrl + V.

Character Map is slower than the Alt code method, but it works on any Windows keyboard. You can also use this method to find other symbols you need — the search box accepts common names like "copyright", "trademark", or "bullet".

Mac: The keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 (the number 8, not the asterisk). This combination produces the degree symbol when ready. Unlike Windows, there is no numeric keypad requirement and no alternative method needed — this shortcut works the same way on every Mac keyboard.

If you find yourself typing the degree symbol often in your work, you can create a text replacement in System Preferences. Go to Keyboard > Text, click the plus button, type a short code like "deg" in the Replace column, type ° in the With column, and save. From then on, typing "deg" followed by a space automatically expands to the degree symbol.

Linux: The compose key method

Linux distributions vary, but most support the Ctrl + Shift + U method. Hold Ctrl and Shift together, type U (uppercase), then type 00B0, then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears in place of what you typed. This works in most text editors and web browsers, though some applications may not support it.

If Ctrl + Shift + U does not work on your system, check whether your distribution has a compose key enabled. You can also copy the degree symbol from a reference page and paste it, or search your process's Insert menu for Special Characters — most Linux desktop environments include this tool.

Creating a shortcut in your process

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperature readings, angles, or geographic coordinates — most applications let you create a shortcut. In Microsoft Word, go to Insert > Symbol, find the degree symbol, click it, then click AutoCorrect Options. Type a code like "(c)" or "deg" and Word will automatically replace it with ° every time you type that code followed by a space.

Google Docs, LibreOffice, and other office applications have similar features. Check the Insert menu or Preferences for AutoCorrect or Text Replacement options. Once set up, you type your shortcut code and the symbol appears without thinking about Alt codes or key combinations.

Copy and paste as a backup method

The simplest method that works everywhere is to copy the degree symbol once and paste it whenever you need it. Copy this: °. Open a text file or document, paste it, and save the file. Whenever you need the symbol, open that file, copy the symbol, and paste it into your work. This takes two extra clicks but requires no memorization of codes or key combinations.

This method is especially useful if you work across different computers or operating systems, or if you use software that does not support the standard input methods. Keep a straightforward text file with symbols you use often — degree, copyright, trademark, bullet points — and you have a reference you can access from anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try using Character Map instead: press Windows key, type "character map", open it, search for "degree", double-click the symbol, click Copy, then paste it into your document. Alternatively, create a keyboard shortcut in your process's AutoCorrect settings.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

The degree symbol works in every text editor, word processor, and web browser. Some specialized software may not display it correctly if it uses an unusual font or character encoding, but this is rare. If a program does not show the symbol, copy and paste it instead of using keyboard shortcuts.

Can I use these methods on a phone or tablet?

On most phones, hold down the 0 key on the number pad and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On tablets with keyboards, use the same method as your computer — Alt + 0176 on Windows, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac. On touchscreen keyboards, look for a symbols menu or long-press the 0 key.

What if I need the degree symbol in a password or username?

The degree symbol works in passwords and usernames the same way as any other character. Use whichever input method works on your keyboard. Write down the method you used so you can reproduce it when logging in later — some systems may not accept the symbol if they have character restrictions.