The fastest way: Alt code on Windows

On a Windows computer, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of your keyboard). Release Alt and the degree symbol (°) appears. This works in Word, email, browsers, and most other programs.

The numeric keypad is the cluster of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. If you have a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock first — look for a key labeled Num Lock or Fn + Num Lock, depending on your model. Some laptops require you to hold Fn while typing the numbers on the embedded keypad.

Test this once before you need it in a document. The Alt code is reliable and faster than any menu once your fingers know where to go.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type Alt + 0176 on the numeric keypad to insert a degree symbol when ready.
  • Mac users should press Option + Shift + 8 to get the degree symbol without opening any menus.
  • If you use the degree symbol often, you can add it to Word's AutoCorrect so typing a shortcut like (deg) replaces itself with °.
  • The Insert menu approach works on any computer but requires more clicks than keyboard shortcuts.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On a Mac, press Option + Shift + 8 to type the degree symbol. This is the quickest method and works anywhere on your Mac — in Word, email, web forms, and text editors.

If you forget the combination, you can also hold Option and type 0 (zero), then release and type the degree symbol appears. Some Mac users find this easier to remember because it mirrors the Windows Alt code approach.

Using Word's Insert menu

If you prefer not to memorize a keyboard shortcut, you can insert the degree symbol through Word's menu. Click the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon, then click Symbol (on the far right of the ribbon). A dropdown menu appears — click More Symbols at the bottom.

In the Symbol dialog box that opens, look for the degree symbol in the list. You can search faster by typing 00B0 (the Unicode value) in the "Character code" field at the bottom right. Click the degree symbol when you find it, then click Insert. Close the dialog when you are done.

This method takes longer than a keyboard shortcut, but it is reliable if you only need the symbol occasionally and do not want to remember codes.

Set up AutoCorrect for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperature readings, angles, or coordinates — you can set Word to replace a short code with the symbol automatically. Open Word and go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.

In the AutoCorrect dialog, click the AutoCorrect tab. In the "Replace" field, type a shortcut you will remember, like (deg) or deg. In the "With" field, paste or type the degree symbol (°). Click Add, then OK.

Now whenever you type your shortcut followed by a space or punctuation, Word replaces it with the degree symbol. This saves time if you use it multiple times in a document, and the shortcut is easier to remember than Alt codes.

Copying and pasting from another source

If you have already typed a degree symbol somewhere — in an email, a web page, or another document — you can copy it and paste it into Word. Highlight the symbol, press Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac), then click in your Word document where you want it and press Ctrl + V (or Cmd + V).

This is useful if you are working on a computer where you do not know the keyboard shortcut and do not want to navigate menus. Keep a document with a single degree symbol saved somewhere you can reach it quickly, and copy from there when you need it.

Why the degree symbol matters for formatting

Using the actual degree symbol (°) instead of typing the letter O or the number 0 makes your document look professional and ensures screen readers and other software read it correctly. A real degree symbol is also smaller and positioned higher than a regular letter, so it sits properly next to numbers.

If you are writing about temperature, geographic coordinates, or angles, the degree symbol is the standard way to format those values. It also prevents confusion — a reader can tell when ready that 72° means seventy-two degrees, not the number 720 or the letter O.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the Alt code does not work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop may not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock (usually Fn + Num Lock) and then typing the numbers on the embedded keypad, which is often overlaid on the letter keys. If that does not work, use the Insert menu or set up AutoCorrect instead.

Can I use the degree symbol in a Google Doc or email?

Yes. The keyboard shortcuts work the same way in Google Docs, Gmail, and most web-based programs. On Windows, use Alt + 0176. On Mac, use Option + Shift + 8. If the shortcut does not work in a specific program, use the Insert menu or copy and paste from another source.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

On most phones, hold down the 0 (zero) key in the number row and a menu of symbols appears, including the degree symbol. On tablets with Word installed, use the Insert menu the same way you would on a computer. For other apps, copy and paste from a web search result.

What if I accidentally type the wrong symbol?

Delete it and try again. If you set up AutoCorrect and it replaces the wrong thing, go back to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, find the entry you created, and click Delete to remove it.