The fastest way depends on what you are typing into

A degree symbol (°) is not on most keyboards, but you can make one in seconds once you know which method works for what you are doing. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. In Google Docs, Sheets, or Gmail, go to Insert > Special characters, search for "degree", and click it. In Microsoft Word on any computer, type the degree symbol by holding Ctrl and Shift, then pressing the colon key, then releasing and pressing the space bar.

The method you use matters because not all keyboards have a numeric keypad, and not all programs recognize the same keyboard shortcuts. A laptop keyboard, for instance, usually does not have a dedicated numeric keypad, which means the Alt+0176 method will not work unless you turn on Num Lock and use the hidden number keys built into the letter keys. A phone or tablet has none of these options and will instead show you a degree symbol when you hold down the zero key.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad can type Alt+0176 to make a degree symbol when ready.
  • Mac users hold Shift+Option and press 8 to produce the degree symbol.
  • Google Docs, Sheets, and Gmail users can insert a degree symbol through Insert > Special characters without memorizing a shortcut.
  • Microsoft Word users on Windows or Mac can use Ctrl+Shift+: (colon) followed by a space to create the symbol.
  • Phones and tablets usually show a degree symbol when you hold down the zero key on the on-screen keyboard.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad method is the fastest on Windows if your keyboard has one. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard. While holding Alt, type 0176 using only the keys on the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard — not the number row at the top. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

This does not work on laptop keyboards without a dedicated numeric keypad. If your laptop has Num Lock (usually a key labeled Num Lk or Fn+Num Lk), turn it on first. Then use the number keys that are printed in a different color on the letter keys — usually the right side of the keyboard. Hold Alt and type 0176 using those keys, then release Alt.

If you use this method often, you can also add the degree symbol to your Windows keyboard layout through Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Add a language, then choose a layout that includes the symbol. This is slower to set up but faster once it is done.

Mac: The Shift+Option shortcut

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option (the key also labeled Alt) at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works on any Mac keyboard — laptop or desktop — because Macs do not use numeric keypads the way Windows does.

If you forget the shortcut, you can also use the Character Viewer. Press Control+Command+Space to open it, type "degree" in the search box, and double-click the degree symbol to insert it into whatever you are typing. This is slower than the keyboard shortcut but works in any program.

Google Docs, Sheets, and Gmail: The Insert menu

In any Google app, click Insert in the menu bar, then select Special characters. A search box opens. Type "degree" and the degree symbol appears in the results. Click it once to insert it into your document or message at the cursor position.

This method works the same way on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or any device with a web browser. You do not need to remember a keyboard shortcut, and it works even if your keyboard layout is different from the standard US layout. The only downside is that it takes a few more clicks than a keyboard shortcut, so if you type degree symbols often, learning the keyboard shortcut for your operating system is faster.

Microsoft Word: The Ctrl+Shift colon method

In Microsoft Word on Windows or Mac, hold Ctrl and Shift together and press the colon key (:). Release those three keys. Then press the space bar. The degree symbol appears before the space.

This method uses Word's built-in "AutoCorrect" feature, which recognizes the colon combination as a request for the degree symbol. If it does not work, check that AutoCorrect is turned on: go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options (on Windows) or Word > Preferences > Autocorrect (on Mac), and make sure the "Replace text as you type" box is checked.

You can also use Insert > Symbol on Windows or Insert > Special Characters on Mac to browse for the degree symbol manually, but the Ctrl+Shift+: method is faster once you remember it.

Phones and tablets: The long-press method

On an iPhone or iPad, open the app where you want to type the degree symbol. Tap the number key (0) on the on-screen keyboard and hold your finger on it for about one second. A small menu appears showing alternate characters, including the degree symbol. Tap the degree symbol to insert it.

On Android phones, the method varies by keyboard app. In the default Google Keyboard, tap the 0 key and hold it. If no menu appears, try swiping up on the 0 key. If neither works, your keyboard app may not have the degree symbol built in — in that case, use the Insert > Special characters method if your app supports it, or copy and paste the symbol from a web search result.

When you need the symbol often: Set up a shortcut or text replacement

If you type degree symbols regularly — for example, if you write about temperature or angles — setting up a text replacement saves time. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, click the plus button, type a short code like "deg" in the "Replace" column, and paste the degree symbol in the "With" column. Then whenever you type "deg" followed by a space, it automatically becomes °.

On Windows, you can do the same thing in Microsoft Word through File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Type your shortcut code in the "Replace" field and paste the degree symbol in the "With" field. This works only in Word, not in other programs. For system-wide text replacement on Windows, you would need to use a third-party tool like AutoHotkey, which requires more setup.

On phones and tablets, most keyboard apps do not support custom text replacement, so the long-press method remains the fastest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Turn on Num Lock (usually Fn+Num Lk), then use the number keys printed on the letter keys — usually on the right side of the keyboard. Hold Alt and type 0176 using those keys. If that still does not work, use the Google Docs method or the Windows Character Map app instead.

Can I copy and paste a degree symbol instead of typing it?

Yes. Search for "degree symbol" online, copy the ° character from the search results, and paste it into your document. This works on any device and any program that accepts pasted text. It is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you need the symbol often, but it works when you cannot remember the shortcut.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

The degree symbol is a standard character that works in almost all programs — email, word processors, spreadsheets, text editors, and web browsers. The only exception is very old or specialized software that does not support Unicode characters. If a program does not show the degree symbol after you type it, try copying and pasting it instead, or check the program's documentation for special character support.

What if I use a non-English keyboard layout?

The Alt+0176 method on Windows and the Shift+Option+8 method on Mac work regardless of your keyboard layout, because they use the operating system's character codes, not the physical keys. If those do not work, use the Insert > Special characters method in Google Docs or Word, which works on any layout.