The fastest way depends on what you're typing on

The degree symbol (°) appears in three places most often: temperature readings, angles in geometry, and geographic coordinates. The method to type it changes depending on whether you're on Windows, Mac, or a phone, and whether you're in a document, email, or web form. The quickest route on each platform takes under five seconds once you know it.

You do not need special software or a keyboard with a dedicated degree key. Every device has a built-in way to produce the symbol — you just need to know which one works for your setup.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to produce the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any process.
  • On iPhone and iPad, hold down the zero key in the number pad until the degree symbol appears, then tap it.
  • On Android, the degree symbol is usually in the symbols panel — swipe to the second or third symbols page and look for it near other punctuation marks.
  • If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, use your operating system's character map or emoji panel instead of Alt codes.

Windows: Using the Alt code method

On Windows, the numeric keypad (the cluster of number keys on the right side of most full-size keyboards) lets you type the degree symbol using an Alt code. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad — not the number row at the top of the keyboard — then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready.

This works in Word, email clients, web browsers, and most text fields. The numeric keypad must be active; if the Num Lock light is off, press Num Lock first. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad (common on laptops), skip to the Character Map method below.

Mac: Using the keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. This works in any process — Mail, Word, Google Docs, web forms, or text editors. The symbol appears exactly where your cursor is positioned.

If you type frequently in Celsius or use degree symbols regularly, you can add it to your Mac's text replacement shortcuts. Go to System Settings, then Keyboard, then Text Replacement, and create a shortcut like typing "deg" to auto-expand to °. This is faster than the keyboard combination once set up.

Windows laptops without a numeric keypad

If your Windows laptop has no numeric keypad, the Alt code method will not work. Instead, open the Character Map process by pressing the Windows key, typing "Character Map," and pressing Enter. Search for "degree" in the search box, click the degree symbol in the results, click Copy, then paste it where you need it.

For a faster workflow, you can also use the Windows emoji panel. Press Windows key + period (.) to open it, type "degree" in the search box at the top, and click the symbol to insert it. This method works in any process that accepts text input.

iPhone and iPad

On iPhone or iPad, open the keyboard and tap the number key (usually labeled "123") to switch to the number pad. Find the zero key and hold your finger on it for about one second. A small menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. Tap the degree symbol to insert it.

This works in Mail, Notes, Messages, web forms, and any text field. If the menu does not appear, make sure you are holding the key long enough — a quick tap will just type a zero.

Android phones and tablets

On Android, the location of the degree symbol varies slightly by manufacturer and keyboard app. Open the keyboard and tap the symbols button (usually labeled "?123" or showing a smiley face). Swipe left or right through the symbol pages — the degree symbol is typically on the second or third page, often near the percent sign or other mathematical symbols. Tap it to insert it.

If you use Google's Gboard keyboard, you can also search for the symbol. Tap the search icon at the top of the keyboard, type "degree," and the symbol appears in the results. This is faster than swiping through multiple symbol pages.

Copy and paste from a reference

If you type the degree symbol infrequently and the methods above feel awkward, the simplest approach is to copy it once and paste it whenever you need it. Type the symbol using any method above, select it, copy it (Ctrl+C on Windows, Command+C on Mac), and save it in a note or document you keep open. When you need the symbol again, paste it (Ctrl+V or Command+V) instead of typing it.

This trades a small amount of setup time for the speed of pasting, which is often faster than remembering keyboard combinations or navigating menus, especially if you use the symbol multiple times in one session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Alt code method not work on my Windows computer?

The most common reason is that Num Lock is off. Check whether the Num Lock light on your keyboard is lit. If it is not, press the Num Lock key and try again. Also make sure you are typing the numbers on the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top.

Can I type the degree symbol in Google Docs?

Yes. Use the same keyboard shortcut for your operating system — Shift + Option + 8 on Mac, or Alt + 0176 on Windows with a numeric keypad. You can also use Insert > Special characters, search for "degree," and click it to insert it. This method works in any Google process.

What if I need to type many degree symbols in one document?

Create a keyboard shortcut or text replacement. On Mac, use System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacement to make "deg" expand to °. On Windows, use AutoCorrect in Word or Google Docs to replace a short code like "deg" with the degree symbol. This saves time if you type the symbol more than a few times.

Is there a degree symbol on the emoji keyboard?

Yes, on both iPhone and Android. Open the emoji keyboard and search for "degree" — it appears in the results. This is slower than the dedicated methods above, but it works if you forget the keyboard shortcut or cannot find the symbol in the symbols panel.