The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard's main keys, but every operating system has a quick way to insert it. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift and type U, then type 00B0 and press Space or Enter.

If you do not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops and compact keyboards — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process or enable Num Lock on your keyboard's embedded number pad. The Mac and Linux methods work on any keyboard because they do not require a separate numeric pad.

These shortcuts work in almost every program: email, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and text editors. The symbol appears exactly where your cursor is positioned.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to insert the degree symbol.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 on any keyboard to type the degree symbol.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift, type U00B0, and press Space to insert the degree symbol.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use Character Map on Windows or the alternative methods for Mac and Linux.
  • The degree symbol works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms without any special software.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

On Windows, the numeric keypad method is the most reliable. Make sure Num Lock is on — you will see a light on your keyboard or an indicator on your screen. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the cluster of numbers on the right side of a full-size keyboard), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready.

The order matters: Alt must be held down while you type the numbers. If you release Alt before finishing, the symbol will not appear. If you type on the main number row instead of the numeric keypad, it will not work.

On a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, enable Num Lock (usually Fn + Num Lock or a toggle key) to turn part of your keyboard into a numeric pad. The keys are usually marked with small numbers in the corner. Once Num Lock is on, use the same Alt + 0176 method on those keys.

Windows: Using Character Map if you have no numeric keypad

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad and you cannot enable one, use the Character Map process. Press the Windows key, type "Character Map," and open the process. In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the degree symbol will appear in the list.

Click the degree symbol to select it, then click the Copy button. Go to the document or email where you need it and paste it (Ctrl + V). This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but works on any Windows keyboard.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut for any Mac keyboard

On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. This works on any Mac keyboard — desktop, laptop, or external — because it does not depend on a numeric keypad. The degree symbol appears wherever your cursor is positioned.

If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are using the Option key (also labeled Alt), not the Command key. The 8 is on the main number row at the top of the keyboard, not on a separate pad. Release all three keys at once; holding them longer will not repeat the symbol.

Linux: The Unicode input method

On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift and type U, then type 00B0 (the Unicode code point for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The symbol appears in place of the code you typed. This method works in most Linux applications, including text editors, email clients, and web browsers.

If this does not work in a specific process, the program may not support Unicode input. Try copying the symbol from another source — a web search for "degree symbol" will show it, and you can copy and paste it into your document.

Copying and pasting from the web

If the keyboard shortcuts do not work in a particular program, the fastest backup is to copy the degree symbol from a web page. Open a web browser, search for "degree symbol," and copy the symbol from the search results. Then paste it (Ctrl + V on Windows and Linux, Command + V on Mac) into your document.

This method works in any program that accepts pasted text, including older software, web forms, and applications that do not support keyboard shortcuts. It is slower than memorizing the shortcut, but it is reliable when nothing else works.

Using the degree symbol in specific programs

Microsoft Word has a built-in Insert menu for symbols. Click Insert, then Symbol, search for "degree," and click Insert. Google Docs and other online editors also have Insert menus with symbol options. These methods are slower than keyboard shortcuts but useful if you insert the symbol frequently and want to avoid memorizing codes.

In spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets, the keyboard shortcuts work the same way. Type the degree symbol directly into a cell, and it will appear in the cell and in the formula bar. If you are writing a formula or function, the symbol is treated as regular text.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Enable Num Lock (usually Fn + Num Lock) to turn part of your keyboard into a numeric pad, then try Alt + 0176 again on those keys. If that does not work, use Character Map instead.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Windows, you can use AutoCorrect in Word: type a shortcut like "deg" and set it to replace with the degree symbol. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and create a text replacement. On Linux, this depends on your desktop environment, but most support custom keyboard shortcuts through settings.

Does the degree symbol work in email?

Yes. The degree symbol works in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and most other email clients. Type it using your operating system's keyboard shortcut, and it will appear in your message. The recipient will see it correctly on any device.

What if I need to type multiple degree symbols?

Use the keyboard shortcut each time — it is faster than copying and pasting repeatedly. If you type the symbol very often, create a text replacement or AutoCorrect entry so you can type a short code instead.

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

On most phones, hold down the zero key (0) on the number pad and a menu of symbols will appear, including the degree symbol. On tablets with keyboards, use the same shortcuts as your computer's operating system.