The fastest way depends on your operating system

You can type the degree symbol (°) on Windows, Mac, or Linux without hunting through menus. The method changes based on what you are using, but each takes under five seconds once you know the keystroke.

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 your keyboard has no numeric keypad, Windows also lets you use the Character Map process or copy-paste from another source.

The degree symbol appears in temperature readings, angles, geographic coordinates, and scientific notation. Once you use the keystroke a few times, it becomes automatic — faster than reaching for the mouse.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to insert the degree symbol.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any process.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift, type u, then type 00b0 and press Space to insert the symbol.
  • Laptops without numeric keypads can use Windows Character Map, found by searching "charmap" in the Start menu.
  • You can also copy the symbol from any web page and paste it where you need it, though memorizing the keystroke is faster for repeated use.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad method works on any Windows computer with a separate number pad on the right side of the keyboard. Make sure Num Lock is on — the light on the Num Lock key should be lit.

Hold down the Alt key with your left hand. While holding Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad using your right hand. The numbers must come from the keypad, not the number row at the top of the keyboard. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

If you use this symbol often in spreadsheets or documents, write it down or take a screenshot of these instructions so you can reference it without opening a browser. After a week of use, the sequence becomes muscle memory.

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 lets you find and copy any symbol, including the degree symbol.

Press the Windows key and type "charmap" — the Character Map process appears in the search results. Open it. In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the degree symbol shows up in the grid above. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. Go to your document and paste it with Ctrl + V.

This method is slower than a keystroke, but it works on any Windows machine. You can also keep a text file with commonly used symbols and copy from there when you need them.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol uses a two-key combination that works in any process — email, documents, spreadsheets, web forms, everything.

Press and hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works on both MacBooks and desktop keyboards connected to a Mac.

If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are using the number 8 from the top row of the keyboard, not a numeric keypad. Also confirm that Shift and Option are both held down — if only one is pressed, you will get a different character.

Linux: Using the Unicode input method

Linux distributions use a Unicode input system that works across most desktop environments, including GNOME, KDE, and others.

Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter u. Release those keys. Type 00b0 (that is zero-zero-b-zero). Press Space or Enter, and the degree symbol appears. The sequence is: Ctrl + Shift + u, release, type 00b0, press Space.

If this does not work, your system may have Unicode input disabled. Check your input settings in System Settings or your desktop environment's configuration panel. Most modern Linux systems have it enabled by default.

Copy and paste from the web

The simplest method if you only need the symbol once: find it online and copy it. Open any web page, search for "degree symbol," and you will find pages that display it. Select it with your mouse, copy it with Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac), and paste it into your document with Ctrl + V (or Cmd + V on Mac).

This works on any device and any operating system. The downside is that it requires a browser and internet connection, and it is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you type the symbol regularly.

Where you will actually use the degree symbol

Temperature readings use the degree symbol: 72° Fahrenheit or 22° Celsius. Angles in geometry and engineering use it: a 45° angle or 90° corner. Geographic coordinates use it: 40.7128° N latitude. Scientific and technical writing uses it frequently.

In spreadsheets, you might type "98.6°F" in a cell. In email, you might write "The thermostat is set to 68°." In web forms, you might enter coordinates or measurements. Once you know the keystroke for your system, you can type it as naturally as any other character.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop likely has no numeric keypad. Use Character Map instead: press Windows key, type "charmap," open the process, search for "degree," click the symbol, click Copy, then paste it where you need it. Some laptops have a Fn key that activates a hidden numeric keypad on the letter keys — check your keyboard manual to see if yours does.

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

On iPhone, hold the 0 key and swipe to the degree symbol. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app — most show the symbol if you hold the 0 key, but some require you to switch to the symbols keyboard first. Check your keyboard app's settings if the hold method does not work.

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

You can create a keyboard shortcut or text expansion. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and add a shortcut like "deg" that expands to "°". On Windows, some applications like Microsoft Word let you create AutoCorrect entries. In Linux, you can configure your input method to use a simpler sequence.

What if I need the degree symbol but I am using a borrowed computer?

Copy it from a web page and paste it into your document. This works on any computer with a browser, regardless of the operating system or keyboard layout. You can also email it to yourself or save it in a cloud document for future use.

Does the degree symbol work in all applications?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that works in email, web browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, text editors, and most other software. It may display slightly differently depending on the font, but it will appear in every process.