The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a key on your keyboard, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut. The method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and which program you are working in.

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 00b0, then press Space. These shortcuts work in most programs — email, word processors, spreadsheets, and web browsers.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad (common on laptops), Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process or copy the symbol from another source and paste it where you need it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to produce the degree symbol.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any program.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift, type u00b0, then press Space to insert the degree symbol.
  • Laptops without numeric keypads can use Windows Character Map or enable Num Lock on the keyboard's number row.
  • The degree symbol works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms without any special setup.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

The numeric keypad is the set of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on that keypad (not the numbers above the letters), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready.

This works in Word, Google Docs, Excel, Outlook, Notepad, web browsers, and most other programs. The number must be typed on the numeric keypad — using the number row above the letters will not work.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, enable Num Lock and use the number keys embedded in the right side of your keyboard (usually marked with numbers and letters together, like 7/U or 8/I). Num Lock is typically a key in the top-left corner of the numeric keypad area. When Num Lock is on, those keys produce numbers instead of letters.

Windows: Using Character Map when you have no numeric keypad

If Num Lock does not work or your keyboard layout makes it difficult, use the Character Map process built into Windows. Press the Windows key, type Character Map, and open the process.

In the search box at the bottom, type degree. The degree symbol appears in the results. Click it, then click Copy. Go to your document and paste it with Ctrl + V. You can copy it once and reuse it by pasting whenever you need it.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut for any Mac keyboard

On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. This works on any Mac keyboard — built-in, external, wireless, or wired. The degree symbol appears wherever your cursor is positioned.

This shortcut works in Mail, Pages, Numbers, Google Docs, web browsers, and any other program where you type text. If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are pressing Option (also labeled Alt on some keyboards), not Command.

Linux: The compose key method

On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift and type the letter u, then type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Space. The degree symbol replaces what you typed.

This method works in most Linux text editors, browsers, and applications. Some Linux systems use a different compose key — check your system settings under Keyboard if Ctrl + Shift + u does not work. The method may also vary depending on your desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, Xfce, etc.).

Using the degree symbol in specific programs

In Microsoft Word, you can also go to the Insert menu, select Symbol, search for degree, and click Insert. This is slower than the keyboard shortcut but useful if you forget the Alt code.

In Google Docs, use the Insert menu, select Special Characters, search for degree, and click it. Again, the keyboard shortcut is faster for repeated use.

In spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets, the keyboard shortcut works in any cell. Type the shortcut, then press Enter to confirm the entry.

In web forms and email, the keyboard shortcut works the same way — hold the keys, type the code, and the symbol appears in the text field.

Why you might need the degree symbol

The degree symbol is used for temperature (72°F), angles (90°), and geographic coordinates. It also appears in some scientific and technical writing. Once you learn the shortcut for your system, it becomes automatic — most people type it without thinking after a few uses.

If you type the degree symbol often, you can also set up a text replacement in your system settings. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and create a shortcut (like typing "deg" automatically replaces with "°"). Windows does not have a built-in text replacement tool, but third-party programs like AutoHotkey can do this.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop keyboard likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Enable Num Lock (usually in the top-left of the number area) and try again using those embedded number keys. If that does not work, use Character Map instead — it is faster than troubleshooting keyboard layouts.

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

Yes. Copy the symbol from any source (including this page), then paste it with Ctrl + V (Windows/Linux) or Command + V (Mac) wherever you need it. This is slower than memorizing the shortcut but works if you only need it occasionally.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

It works in nearly all programs that accept text — email, documents, spreadsheets, web forms, and browsers. Some very old or specialized software may not display it correctly, but this is rare. If it does not appear, try copying and pasting instead.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol without memorizing a code?

On Mac, the shortcut Shift + Option + 8 is straightforward enough to memorize quickly. On Windows, using Character Map is easier than remembering Alt + 0176. You can also set up text replacement in your system settings so typing a short phrase (like "deg") automatically inserts the symbol.

What if I need other special symbols like copyright or trademark?

Each symbol has its own Alt code on Windows (copyright is Alt + 0169, trademark is Alt + 0153). On Mac, different key combinations produce different symbols — Option + G makes the copyright symbol, for example. Character Map and Special Characters menus let you search for any symbol by name instead of memorizing codes.