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. 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 works fastest if you type the degree symbol often, because your fingers learn the combination.

Mobile devices and tablets have their own routes. On iPhone and iPad, hold down the 0 key until a menu appears with the degree symbol. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app, but most show the symbol when you long-press the 0 key or access the symbols panel.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176 on the numeric keypad, the fastest method for frequent use.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to produce the degree symbol without a numeric keypad.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then 00B0, and press Enter or Space to insert the symbol.
  • Laptops and compact keyboards without numeric keypads can use Character Map on Windows or copy the symbol from a web search result.
  • On iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, long-pressing the 0 key usually reveals the degree symbol in a menu.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad Alt code

The numeric keypad is the cluster of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, then press 0, 1, 7, 6 in order on the numeric keypad. Release Alt. The degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

This method only works with the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, skip to the Character Map section below. The Alt code for the degree symbol is always 0176 — the leading zero matters.

If you use this symbol in the same document repeatedly, consider typing it once, then copying it (Ctrl+C) and pasting it (Ctrl+V) each time you need it. This avoids the Alt code entirely and is faster than typing the code multiple times.

Mac: The Shift-Option-8 shortcut

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works on any Mac keyboard, including laptop keyboards, because it does not rely on a numeric keypad.

The Shift-Option combination is called the "Option" modifier on Mac. If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are holding both Shift and Option before pressing 8. Some keyboard layouts or accessibility settings can change this shortcut, but the Shift-Option-8 combination is standard on US and UK English keyboards.

Linux: The Ctrl-Shift-U Unicode method

On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift together, then press U. Type 00B0 (the Unicode code point for the degree symbol), then press Enter or Space. The symbol appears where your cursor was. This method works in most text editors and web browsers on Linux systems.

The Unicode input method is more flexible than the Windows Alt code because it works on any keyboard layout and does not require a numeric keypad. If the symbol does not appear, your system may have Unicode input disabled — check your input method settings in your desktop environment.

Laptops and compact keyboards without a numeric keypad

Many laptops and external compact keyboards have no dedicated numeric keypad. On Windows, you can enable Num Lock and use the embedded numeric keypad (usually the right side of the letter keys, marked with small numbers), but this is awkward. A faster route is to open Character Map, search for "degree", click the symbol, and click Copy.

Character Map is built into Windows. Press the Windows key, type "character map", and open the process. Type "degree" in the search box at the bottom. The degree symbol appears in the list. Double-click it, then click Copy. Paste it (Ctrl+V) wherever you need it.

Another option is to search "degree symbol" in your web browser, find a page that displays it, and copy it directly from there. This takes a few seconds but requires no memorization and works on any device with a browser.

iPhone and iPad: Long-press the 0 key

On iPhone and iPad, open any app where you can type — Notes, Mail, Messages, or a web form. Tap the 0 key on the keyboard and hold your finger on it. A menu appears showing the degree symbol and other variants. Tap the degree symbol to insert it.

This works in the default Apple keyboard and most third-party keyboard apps. If the menu does not appear, your keyboard app may not support this feature — try a different app or check the keyboard settings.

Android: Long-press 0 or use the symbols panel

On Android, the method depends on which keyboard app you use. In the default Google Keyboard (Gboard), tap the 0 key and hold it. A menu appears with the degree symbol. Tap it to insert the symbol.

If long-pressing does not work, tap the symbols button (usually marked with ?123 or a similar icon) to open the symbols panel. Look for the degree symbol there, or swipe through the symbol pages to find it. Different keyboard apps organize symbols differently, so explore the symbols panel if the long-press method does not work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop likely has no numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock and using the embedded numeric keypad on the letter keys, but this is slow. Use Character Map instead: press Windows key, type "character map", search for "degree", and copy the symbol.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Windows, you can use AutoHotkey (a free automation tool) to assign any key combination to the degree symbol. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and add a shortcut. On Linux, this depends on your desktop environment, but most allow custom shortcuts in settings.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

Yes, the degree symbol is a standard character and works in any program that accepts text — word processors, spreadsheets, email, web browsers, and messaging apps. It displays the same way everywhere.

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

Type the symbol once, copy it, then paste it repeatedly. This is faster than using the keyboard shortcut each time. In Microsoft Word, you can also use Find and Replace to insert the symbol in multiple places at once.

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

Yes. Copy the symbol from a web search result and paste it as needed. You can also save it in a text file or note app and copy from there. This avoids memorizing any shortcut and works on any device.