The degree symbol (°) is on your keyboard, but not where you'd expect

The degree symbol does not have its own key. Instead, you type it using a combination of keys that varies by operating system and keyboard layout. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, then type B0, then press Space or Enter.

If you use the degree symbol often — for temperature readings, angles, coordinates, or scientific notation — learning the keyboard shortcut takes 30 seconds and saves you from hunting through character menus every time. The method you use depends on what device you're working on, not on the keyboard itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of a full-size keyboard).
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then B0, then press Space or Enter.
  • Chromebook users can search for "degree symbol" in the character picker or copy and paste one from a web search result.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use your operating system's character map or emoji picker instead.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

On Windows, the numeric keypad method is the fastest route. Make sure Num Lock is on (you'll see a light on the Num Lock key or a small indicator on your keyboard). Hold down the Alt key with your left hand, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad with your right hand. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

This works in almost every Windows program — Word, Excel, email, browsers, text editors. The numeric keypad is the separate set of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. If your keyboard is a laptop keyboard or a compact keyboard without a numeric pad, you have two options: use the character map (search "charmap" in Windows), or hold Alt and use the number row at the top of the keyboard instead, which does not work for this code.

If Alt+0176 does not work, check that you are using the numeric keypad, not the number row. Some laptops require you to hold Fn (function) as well to set up the numeric keypad layer on keys that double as numbers.

Mac: The Shift-Option-8 combination

On Mac, hold Shift and Option (also called Alt) at the same time, then press 8. You do not need to release and re-press — hold all three keys down together, then tap 8. The degree symbol appears when ready.

This works on any Mac keyboard, including laptop keyboards, because it does not rely on a numeric keypad. The same shortcut works in every Mac process — Mail, Pages, Google Docs, browsers, text editors, and spreadsheets.

If you forget the shortcut, you can also open the Character Viewer by holding Control and Space, then search for "degree" to find and insert the symbol. This is slower than the keyboard shortcut but works if you only need it occasionally.

Linux: The Ctrl-Shift-U method

On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type U (the letter U, not a number). Release those keys. Type B0 (the letter B followed by zero). Then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears.

This method works in most Linux applications and desktop environments, including GNOME, KDE, and others. It is slower than the Windows or Mac shortcuts because it requires more keystrokes, but it works on any Linux keyboard layout.

If this does not work in your process, the program may not support Unicode input. In that case, use your system's character map or search for the symbol online and copy it.

Chromebook: Using the character picker

Chromebooks do not have a built-in keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol. Instead, press Ctrl and Space together to open the character picker, then type "degree" to search for it. Click the degree symbol in the results to insert it.

Alternatively, you can search for "degree symbol" in a browser tab, copy the ° character from the search results, and paste it into your document. This is faster if you only need it once.

Keyboards without a numeric keypad

Laptop keyboards, compact keyboards, and wireless keyboards often have no numeric keypad. If you use Windows and your keyboard has no numeric pad, the Alt+0176 shortcut will not work. Instead, open the Character Map process by searching "charmap" in Windows. Type "degree" in the search box, click the degree symbol in the results, click Copy, then paste it into your document.

On Mac, the Shift-Option-8 shortcut works on any keyboard, including laptops, so you do not need an alternative method. On Linux, the Ctrl-Shift-U method also works on any keyboard.

If you type the degree symbol regularly and your keyboard has no numeric pad, consider using a text expansion tool. Programs like AutoHotkey (Windows) or TextExpander (Mac) let you type a short code — like "deg" — and have it automatically expand to °. This is faster than opening the character map each time.

Pasting the symbol from the web

The simplest method if you do not remember the shortcut: search "degree symbol" in your browser, copy the ° character from the search results, and paste it into your document using Ctrl+V (Windows or Linux) or Command+V (Mac). This works on any device and any keyboard.

This method is slower than using a keyboard shortcut, but it requires no memorization and works everywhere. If you find yourself doing this more than once a week, spend two minutes learning the keyboard shortcut for your operating system instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You are likely using the number row at the top of the keyboard instead of the numeric keypad on the right. The numeric keypad is a separate set of keys. Also check that Num Lock is on. If your keyboard has no numeric pad, use the Character Map process instead.

Can I use the degree symbol in Google Docs?

Yes. Use the same keyboard shortcut for your operating system (Shift-Option-8 on Mac, Ctrl-Shift-U then B0 on Linux). On Windows, Alt+0176 works in Google Docs in most browsers. If it does not, use the Insert menu, select Special Characters, search for "degree", and click it.

Does the degree symbol work in Excel and Word?

Yes, on all operating systems. Use your operating system's keyboard shortcut. In Word and Excel, you can also use the Insert menu and select Symbol or Special Characters, then search for "degree".

What if I need to type degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Type the degree symbol using your keyboard shortcut, then when ready type the letter C or F. For example: 72°F or 22°C. There is no separate symbol for Celsius or Fahrenheit — the degree symbol is the same for both.

Can I remap a key to type the degree symbol automatically?

Yes, using keyboard remapping software. On Windows, AutoHotkey lets you assign the degree symbol to any key or key combination. On Mac, Karabiner-Elements does the same. On Linux, xmodmap can remap keys. These tools require some setup but let you create a custom shortcut that works everywhere on your system.