The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) appears on your screen through keyboard shortcuts that differ between Windows, Mac, and Linux. You do not need a special keyboard — every standard keyboard can produce it. The method you choose depends on what you are typing in and which operating system you use.

On Windows, the simplest route is holding Alt and typing 0176 on the numeric keypad, then releasing Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then type 00B0 and press Space or Enter. Each method works in most programs — email, word processors, web browsers, spreadsheets — though some specialized software may behave differently.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt to produce the degree symbol.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8 to type the degree symbol.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then type 00B0 and press Space to produce the degree symbol.
  • The degree symbol works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms, though some older programs may not recognize it.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, you can use your operating system's character map or copy-paste the symbol from another source.

Windows: Using the Alt code method

The numeric keypad is the small cluster of number keys on the right side of most full-size keyboards. If your keyboard has one, this is the fastest method. Position your cursor where you want the degree symbol to appear, then hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard. While holding Alt, type 0176 using only the numeric keypad keys — not the numbers across the top of your keyboard. After you type the final 6, release the Alt key. The degree symbol appears when ready.

The numeric keypad usually has a Num Lock key. If the numbers do not appear when you type, press Num Lock once to turn it on, then try again. You will see a light on the Num Lock key or a small indicator on your keyboard when it is active. If your keyboard is a laptop keyboard or compact keyboard without a numeric keypad, skip to the Character Map section below.

Mac: Using the keyboard shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol uses a two-key combination. Position your cursor where you want the symbol. Hold down Shift and Option at the same time — Option is the key labeled "alt" on Mac keyboards, usually to the left of the spacebar. While holding both keys, press 8. Release all keys. The degree symbol appears.

This shortcut works in Mail, Pages, Numbers, Google Docs, web browsers, and most other programs. If nothing appears, make sure you are holding Shift and Option together before pressing 8, not one after the other. The order does not matter, but both must be held down at the same time.

Linux: Using the Unicode input method

Linux systems use a Unicode input method that works across most distributions. Position your cursor where you want the degree symbol. Hold down Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter U (uppercase or lowercase works). While still holding Ctrl and Shift, type 00B0 — that is zero, zero, B, zero. Release Ctrl and Shift, then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears.

Some Linux systems may require you to press Enter instead of Space to confirm the input. If the symbol does not appear, try pressing Enter. This method works in most text editors, email clients, and web browsers, though some older or specialized programs may not support Unicode input.

Using Character Map when you have no numeric keypad

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops and compact keyboards — use your operating system's character map tool. On Windows, open the Start menu, type "Character Map" and press Enter. A window opens showing every available character. Scroll down or use the search box to find the degree symbol. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. Go to your document or email and paste it where you need it using Ctrl+V.

On Mac, open Spotlight by pressing Command and Space, type "Character Viewer" and press Enter. The character viewer opens. Search for "degree" in the search box at the top. Click the degree symbol in the results, then click the Insert button at the bottom right. The symbol appears in your document. You can also copy it and paste it elsewhere if you prefer.

Typing the degree symbol in specific programs

Most programs accept the degree symbol through any of the methods above — email, word processors, spreadsheets, and web forms all work the same way. However, some specialized software may have its own symbol menu. In Microsoft Word, you can go to the Insert menu, click Symbol, search for "degree", and click Insert. In Google Docs, go to Insert, then Special Characters, search for "degree", and click it to insert.

If you type the degree symbol frequently in a particular program, check whether that program has a shortcut or autocorrect feature. Some programs let you type a code like "deg" and have it automatically convert to the degree symbol. Look in the program's preferences or settings under Autocorrect or AutoFormat to set this up.

Copying and pasting when shortcuts do not work

If none of the keyboard shortcuts work in a particular program, the copy-paste method always works. Open a web browser and search for "degree symbol". Copy the symbol from the search results, then paste it into your document using Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac. You can also bookmark a page with the degree symbol and return to it whenever you need to copy it again.

Another option is to create a text file on your computer containing just the degree symbol, save it, and open it whenever you need to copy the symbol. This takes longer than memorizing the keyboard shortcut, but it works in any program, including older software that may not recognize keyboard codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a separate numeric keypad. Instead, some keys on the main keyboard double as number pad keys when you hold Fn and press Num Lock. Check your keyboard for small numbers printed above or below the letters on the right side of the keyboard. If you see them, hold Fn and Num Lock together to set up the numeric keypad, then use the Alt+0176 method. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad at all, use the Character Map method instead.

Can I use the degree symbol in a spreadsheet like Excel?

Yes. The keyboard shortcuts work exactly the same in Excel, Google Sheets, and other spreadsheets. Type the degree symbol into a cell the same way you would in a document. If you are entering temperature data or other measurements with degree symbols, you can type the symbol once, copy it, and paste it into other cells to save time.

What if I need the degree symbol but I am on a phone or tablet?

On most phones, hold down the zero key (0) on the number pad and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. Tap it to insert it. On tablets, the method varies by operating system — check your device's keyboard settings or use the copy-paste method from a web search instead.

Is there a way to make my keyboard automatically type the degree symbol?

Yes, through autocorrect settings in most programs. In Microsoft Word, go to File, Options, Proofing, AutoCorrect Options, and create a new entry where you type a code like "deg" in the Replace field and paste the degree symbol in the With field. Google Docs has a similar feature under Tools, Preferences. This way, typing "deg" automatically converts to °.

Does the degree symbol work in all web browsers and email programs?

The degree symbol works in all modern web browsers and email programs. It may not display correctly in very old software or in plain text emails if the recipient uses outdated email clients, but this is rare. If you are unsure, you can type the word "degrees" instead, or use the abbreviation "deg" to be safe.