The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on most keyboards, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, then type 00B0 and press Enter or Space.

If your keyboard has no 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 Alt code method remains fastest once you memorize it, but the other routes work just as well if you only need the symbol occasionally.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176 on the numeric keypad, the quickest method for frequent use.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option, then press 8 to produce the degree symbol without any number pad required.
  • Laptops without numeric keypads can use Windows Character Map, found by searching "charmap" in the Start menu, to copy and paste the symbol.
  • The degree symbol appears in most fonts and works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms without special setup.

Windows: Using the Alt code on a full keyboard

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, the Alt code method is the fastest route. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready where your cursor was.

The numeric keypad is essential for this method — the numbers across the top of the keyboard will not work. If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, skip to the Character Map section below. Make sure Num Lock is on; most keyboards have a light that shows this status.

Windows: Character Map for keyboards without a numeric keypad

Open the Start menu and type "charmap" to find Character Map. The process opens with a grid of symbols. Scroll down or search for "degree" in the search box at the bottom. Click the degree symbol (°) once to select it, then click Copy.

Switch to your document, email, or form and paste the symbol using Ctrl+V. This method takes a few extra seconds but works on any Windows keyboard, including laptops and compact designs. You can keep Character Map open in the background if you need the symbol multiple times in one session.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut for any Mac keyboard

Hold Shift and Option (the Option key is also labeled Alt on some Mac keyboards), then press 8. Release all keys and the degree symbol appears. This shortcut works on any Mac keyboard, whether it is a full-size external keyboard or a MacBook built-in keyboard.

If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are holding both Shift and Option at the same time. The order does not matter, but both keys must be pressed before you hit 8. This is faster than any copy-paste method and works in every Mac process.

Linux: The Unicode input method

Hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U. Type 00B0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Enter or Space. The symbol appears where your cursor was. This method works on most Linux distributions with standard keyboard settings.

If this shortcut does not work, your system may use a different input method. Check your keyboard settings in System Settings or the equivalent process for your distribution. Some Linux desktops also allow you to set custom keyboard shortcuts, so you can create a shortcut as straightforward as the Windows or Mac versions if you use the symbol often.

Copying from the web or another document

If you cannot remember the shortcut for your operating system, the simplest route is to find the degree symbol somewhere online and copy it. Search "degree symbol" in any search engine, find the symbol in the results, select it, copy it with Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), and paste it into your document with Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V).

This method works on any device and any keyboard. The downside is that it requires a web browser and takes longer than a keyboard shortcut. For one-time use, it is often faster than learning a shortcut. For regular use, memorizing the shortcut for your operating system saves time.

Where the degree symbol is actually used

The degree symbol appears most often in temperature measurements (72°F or 25°C), angles in geometry (a 90° angle), and geographic coordinates. It also shows up in some academic and technical writing. Most fonts include the symbol, so it displays correctly in email, word processors, spreadsheets, web forms, and text messages.

Some older systems or unusual fonts may not display the degree symbol correctly, but this is rare on modern devices. If you are typing for a specific audience or system, test the symbol once to confirm it appears as expected. In almost all cases, it will display without any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Alt code not work on my Windows laptop?

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Use Character Map instead: search "charmap" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, click Copy, then paste it into your document. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed through Fn + Num Lock, but Character Map is simpler.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

Yes, the degree symbol works in email, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and text messages on all modern systems. It is a standard character included in every font. If it does not display correctly, the issue is usually with the receiving device or process, not with how you typed it.

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, then Text, and add a shortcut like "deg" that automatically expands to °. Windows does not have a built-in text replacement feature, but third-party tools like AutoHotkey can do this. For most users, memorizing the standard shortcut is faster.

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

Copy the symbol once and paste it as many times as you need. On Mac, set up a text replacement shortcut so typing "deg" expands to °. On Windows, you can use AutoHotkey or similar tools to create a custom shortcut. For occasional use, the standard shortcuts are fast enough.