The fastest way to type a degree symbol
The degree symbol (°) does not have its own key on most keyboards, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press the number 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, press U, type 00B0, then press Space.
If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops and compact keyboards — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process or copy the symbol from another source. The Mac and Linux shortcuts work on any keyboard layout because they do not depend on a numeric pad.
The method you choose depends on what device you are using and how often you need the symbol. If you type degree symbols regularly, storing it in your clipboard or using a text expansion tool saves time over entering the shortcut each time.
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, press U, type 00B0, then press Space.
- Laptops and compact keyboards without a numeric keypad require the Mac or Linux method, or copying the symbol from another source.
- Text expansion tools and clipboard shortcuts can speed up repeated typing of the degree symbol.
Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut
The numeric keypad method is the fastest on Windows if your keyboard has one. Make sure Num Lock is turned on — you will see a light on your keyboard or a small indicator on screen. Hold down the Alt key with your left hand and use your right hand to type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the cluster of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard). Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.
The numbers must come from the numeric keypad, not the number row at the top of the keyboard. If you type them from the top row, nothing happens. If you are on a laptop or compact keyboard without a numeric keypad, this method will not work — move to the Character Map section below.
This shortcut works in almost any Windows program: email, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and text editors. The symbol appears exactly where your cursor was positioned.
Windows: Using Character Map when you have no numeric keypad
If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, open the Character Map process. Press the Windows key, type character map, and click the result. The window shows a grid of symbols. In the search box at the bottom, type degree to find the symbol when ready.
Click the degree symbol to select it, then click the Copy button. The symbol is now in your clipboard. Switch to the program where you need it — your email, document, or form — and paste it using Ctrl+V. You can paste the same symbol as many times as you need without opening Character Map again, until you copy something else.
This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works on any Windows machine. If you type degree symbols often, copy it once and keep it in a text file you can quickly paste from.
Mac: The Shift-Option-8 shortcut
On Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press the number 8. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works on any Mac keyboard — laptops, wireless keyboards, and full-size keyboards all use the same shortcut.
The shortcut works in any Mac process: Mail, Pages, Numbers, web browsers, and text editors. It is faster than the Windows numeric keypad method because it uses only three keys and works on every Mac keyboard without exception.
If the shortcut does not work, check that you are pressing the number 8 on the main keyboard row, not on a numeric keypad if your keyboard has one. The Option key is the one marked with the symbol ⌥, usually to the left of the spacebar.
Linux: The Ctrl-Shift-U method
On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift together, then press U. You will see a small u with an underline appear on screen. Type 00B0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The underlined u disappears and the degree symbol takes its place.
This method works in most Linux applications, including text editors, email clients, and web browsers. It relies on Unicode input, which is built into most modern Linux systems. If it does not work, your system may have Unicode input disabled — check your input method settings in your system preferences.
The Unicode method is more reliable across different Linux distributions than memorizing a single keyboard shortcut, because different desktop environments sometimes assign different shortcuts to the same function.
Storing the degree symbol for quick reuse
If you type the degree symbol several times a day, storing it saves time. Copy the symbol once using any method above, then open a straightforward text file on your computer. Paste the symbol there and save the file with a clear name like "symbols.txt". When you need the degree symbol, open that file, copy it, and paste it where you need it.
A faster option is a text expansion tool. Programs like AutoHotkey (Windows), TextExpander (Mac), or Espanso (cross-platform) let you type a short code — for example, :deg — and the program automatically replaces it with the degree symbol. You set this up once, and it works in every program on your computer.
For occasional use, the keyboard shortcut is fastest. For daily use, a text expansion tool pays for itself in seconds saved.
Why the degree symbol is not on your keyboard
Keyboards have a limited number of keys, so manufacturers include only the symbols used most often in everyday typing. The degree symbol is used mainly in scientific writing, weather reports, and technical documents — not common enough to earn its own key. Instead, operating systems provide shortcuts and character maps so you can access it when needed.
The same is true for many other symbols: copyright (©), trademark (™), and mathematical symbols like ± and ÷. All of them have keyboard shortcuts or can be found in Character Map. Learning one method — whether it is a shortcut or Character Map — gives you access to hundreds of symbols beyond the ones printed on your keys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the degree symbol shortcut work in all programs?
The keyboard shortcuts work in almost all programs — email, word processors, web browsers, and text editors. Some specialized software may not recognize them. If a shortcut does not work, try Character Map (Windows) or copy-paste instead. Web-based forms sometimes have restrictions, so pasting from your clipboard is more reliable than typing a shortcut.
What if I need the degree symbol in a web form and the shortcut does not work?
Copy the degree symbol from Character Map or from a text file you have saved, then paste it into the form using Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). If the form rejects the symbol, contact the website owner — some forms are poorly designed and do not accept special characters even when they should.
Can I add the degree symbol to my keyboard layout?
On Windows and Mac, you cannot easily add a new key to your physical keyboard, but you can create keyboard shortcuts in some programs. On Linux, you can customize your keyboard layout through system settings. For most users, the built-in shortcuts are faster than customizing your layout.
Is there a way to type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?
On iPhone and iPad, hold down the zero key (0) on the keyboard and swipe to the degree symbol. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app — usually long-press the zero key or access the symbol through the punctuation menu. Check your keyboard app's help section for the exact method.
Why does Alt+0176 not work on my Windows laptop?
Your laptop likely does not have a numeric keypad. Use Character Map instead, or enable Num Lock and use the number keys on the right side of your keyboard if your laptop has them. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad activated by holding Fn while typing numbers — check your keyboard's documentation.