The quickest way to type a degree symbol

The degree symbol (°) appears on most keyboards only through a keyboard shortcut or special character menu — it is not a dedicated key. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On a Chromebook or Linux machine, hold Ctrl and Shift, press U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter.

If you are using a phone or tablet, the method depends on your keyboard app. On iPhone, hold down the 0 key until a menu appears with the degree symbol. On Android, the process varies by keyboard — most show the symbol when you long-press the 0 key, though some require you to switch to a symbols view first.

These shortcuts work in any program: email, documents, spreadsheets, web forms, and text fields. You do not need special software or fonts. The symbol will display correctly on any device that receives it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to produce the degree symbol.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8.
  • Chromebook and Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, press U, type 00b0, then press Space.
  • On phones, long-press the 0 key to access the degree symbol from a menu or symbols view.
  • The degree symbol works in any program and displays the same way on all devices.

Windows: Using the Alt code

The numeric keypad is the fastest route on Windows. Make sure Num Lock is on — you will see a light on the Num Lock key or a small indicator on your keyboard. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, then type 0176 using only the keys on the numeric keypad on the right. Do not use the number row above the letters.

Once you release Alt, the degree symbol appears where your cursor was. This works whether you are typing in Notepad, Word, Gmail, or any other program. If nothing appears, check that Num Lock is on and that you used the numeric keypad, not the number row.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — you can use the Character Map app instead. Press the Windows key, type "Character Map", and open it. Search for "degree" in the search box, select the symbol, click Copy, then paste it where you need it.

Mac: The Shift-Option shortcut

Hold Shift and Option (also called Alt) at the same time, then press the 8 key. The degree symbol appears when ready. This shortcut works in any Mac program: Mail, Pages, Google Docs, web browsers, and text fields.

If the shortcut does not work, check that you are holding both Shift and Option together before pressing 8. Some older Mac keyboards may have a different layout — if you have trouble, you can also use the Edit menu in most programs to find Insert Special Character or a similar option.

Chromebook and Linux: The Unicode method

Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then press U. Type 00b0 (the letter o, the number zero, the letter b, the number zero). Then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears in place of what you typed.

This method works on most Linux distributions and Chromebooks. If it does not work, your system may have a different input method. Check your keyboard settings or try the Character Map equivalent for your Linux distribution — usually called Character Map, Gucharmap, or a similar name.

iPhone and iPad: Long-press the zero key

Open any app where you can type: Mail, Messages, Notes, or a web form. Tap the 0 key on the keyboard and hold your finger on it for about one second. A menu pops up showing the degree symbol and other variations of zero. Tap the degree symbol to insert it.

If the menu does not appear, make sure you are pressing and holding, not just tapping. The timing matters — hold for a full second before lifting your finger. This method works on both the standard Apple keyboard and third-party keyboard apps.

Android: Finding the symbol in your keyboard app

The location of the degree symbol varies depending on which keyboard app you use. On the default Google Keyboard, open any text field, then long-press the 0 key. A menu should appear with the degree symbol. Tap it to insert it.

If long-pressing does not work, try switching to the symbols view. Look for a key labeled "?123" or a similar symbol button, tap it to see the symbols panel, then look for the degree symbol there. Some third-party keyboards like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Samsung Keyboard may organize symbols differently — check the app's settings or help section if you cannot find it quickly.

Using the Insert menu in word processors

If you forget the keyboard shortcut, most word processors have a menu option. In Microsoft Word, click Insert, then Special Character (or Symbol, depending on your version). Search for "degree" or scroll through the symbols until you find it. Select it and click Insert.

In Google Docs, click Insert, then Special Characters. Type "degree" in the search box and click the symbol to insert it. In LibreOffice Writer, click Insert, then Special Character. These menu methods are slower than keyboard shortcuts but work when you cannot remember the code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the degree symbol not appear when I type the Alt code?

The most common reason is that Num Lock is off. Check for a light on the Num Lock key — if it is dark, press Num Lock to turn it on. Also make sure you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row above the letters. Some laptop keyboards do not have a numeric keypad, so use Character Map instead.

Can I copy and paste a degree symbol instead of using a shortcut?

Yes. You can copy the symbol from any source — a web page, another document, or a character map — and paste it wherever you need it. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works if you cannot remember the code. Once you paste it once, you can often copy it again from your own document.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

The symbol works in any program that accepts text input: email, documents, spreadsheets, web forms, and text messages. It displays the same way on all devices because it is a standard character. Some very old or specialized programs may not support it, but this is rare.

What is the difference between the degree symbol and the superscript zero?

The degree symbol (°) is a single character designed to show temperature or angles. A superscript zero is the number 0 made smaller and raised above the line. They look similar but are different characters. Use the degree symbol for temperatures and angles — it is the correct choice.

Can I set up a custom keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Mac, you can create a text replacement in System Preferences: go to Keyboard, Text, and add a new entry with a shortcut like "deg" that expands to the degree symbol. Windows does not have a built-in text replacement feature, but third-party tools like AutoHotkey can do this. Most people find the standard shortcuts faster than setting up custom ones.