How to Type the Degree Symbol in Excel

The fastest way to type a degree symbol in Excel

The degree symbol (°) appears in Excel the same way it does in most Windows and Mac programs: hold Alt and type a number code on the numeric keypad, or use a keyboard shortcut built into your operating system. On Windows, the code is Alt+0176. On Mac, it's Shift+Option+8. Both methods work in any Excel cell, whether you're entering temperature data, angles, or coordinates.

If you don't have a numeric keypad—common on laptops—Windows offers a second route through the Character Map utility, and both systems let you insert the symbol from Excel's built-in symbol menu. The method you choose depends on whether you need the symbol once or repeatedly in the same spreadsheet.

Key Takeaways

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to insert the degree symbol.
On Mac, press Shift+Option+8 to type the degree symbol in any cell.
Laptops without a numeric keypad can use the Character Map (Windows) or the Insert menu (both systems) instead.
If you type the degree symbol often, create a custom AutoCorrect entry so a short code like "deg" expands to the symbol automatically.
The degree symbol works in cell content, formulas, and headers the same way as any other character.

Windows: Using the Alt code method

On a Windows desktop or laptop with a numeric keypad, the Alt+0176 method is the fastest. Click the cell where you want the degree symbol. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The symbol appears when ready.

The numeric keypad is the cluster of keys to the right of your main keyboard on a desktop. On a laptop, the numeric keypad is usually hidden—you access it by holding Fn and using keys marked with small numbers (often on the right side of the letter keys). If your laptop has no numeric keypad at all, skip to the Character Map method below.

One common mistake: typing 0176 on the number row at the top of the keyboard does not work. You must use the numeric keypad. If nothing happens when you release Alt, check that Num Lock is on—a light on the numeric keypad or a key labeled Num Lock should be lit.

Windows: Using Character Map when you have no numeric keypad

If your laptop has no numeric keypad, open the Character Map utility. Press the Windows key, type "character map," and click the result. A window opens showing every available character.

In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the list narrows to show the degree symbol. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. Go back to Excel, click the cell where you want the symbol, and press Ctrl+V to paste it in.

Character Map is slower than the Alt code, but it works on any Windows laptop and requires no special key combinations. You can also use this method to find and copy other symbols you use occasionally—the same steps work for copyright marks, currency symbols, or mathematical operators.

Mac: Using the keyboard shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol has a dedicated keyboard shortcut: Shift+Option+8. Click the cell in Excel where you want the symbol, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys and the degree symbol appears.

This shortcut works in Excel, Word, email, web browsers, and nearly every other Mac process. Unlike the Windows Alt code, it does not require a numeric keypad, so it works the same way on a MacBook as on a desktop Mac keyboard.

If the shortcut does not work, check that you are using the number 8 key on the main keyboard row, not a numeric keypad. Also confirm that your keyboard layout is set to U.S. English in System Preferences—the shortcut may differ on other language layouts.

Using Excel's Insert menu on either system

Both Windows and Mac versions of Excel have a built-in symbol menu. Click the cell where you want the degree symbol. On the ribbon at the top, click the Insert tab, then look for a button labeled Symbol (on Mac it may say Special Characters). A dialog box opens showing available symbols.

Search for "degree" in the search field, or scroll down the list until you find the degree symbol (°). Click it once to select it, then click Insert. The symbol appears in your cell and the dialog closes.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but requires no memorization. It also works if you need other symbols in the same spreadsheet—you can insert copyright marks, trademark symbols, or mathematical operators the same way without leaving Excel.

Creating an AutoCorrect entry for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol many times in the same spreadsheet or regularly across different files, set up an AutoCorrect rule so a short code expands to the symbol automatically. On Windows, click File, then Options, then Trust Center, then Trust Center Settings, then AutoCorrect Options. On Mac, click Excel in the menu bar, then Preferences, then AutoCorrect.

In the AutoCorrect dialog, find the field labeled "Replace" and type a short code like "deg" or "degree". In the field labeled "With," paste the degree symbol (copy one first using any method above, then paste it here). Click Add, then OK. Now whenever you type "deg" followed by a space or punctuation, Excel replaces it with the degree symbol automatically.

This method saves time only if you use the symbol more than a few times, but it works across all your Office programs, not just Excel. You can create similar entries for any symbol you type often—just remember the code you chose so you know when to use it.

Troubleshooting when the symbol does not appear

If you type Alt+0176 on Windows and nothing happens, the most common cause is that Num Lock is off. Press the Num Lock key (usually in the top left of the numeric keypad) so the light turns on, then try the Alt code again. If you are on a laptop, you may need to hold Fn while pressing Num Lock.

If you are using the Mac shortcut Shift+Option+8 and get a different character, your keyboard layout may not be set to U.S. English. Open System Preferences, click Keyboard, then Input Sources, and make sure U.S. is selected. If you are in a different country or language region, the shortcut may differ—use the Insert menu method instead.

If the degree symbol appears in Excel but prints as a box or different character, the font you are using may not support it. Select the cell, then change the font to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman—all standard fonts that display the degree symbol correctly. If the symbol still does not print, check your printer settings to confirm the printer is not set to a limited character set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type the degree symbol in a formula or does it only work in cell text?

The degree symbol works anywhere in a cell—in plain text, in formulas, and in headers. If you are building a formula that references a cell containing the degree symbol, the symbol is treated as text and does not affect the calculation. You can concatenate it with numbers using the ampersand (&) operator, like =A1&"°" to add the symbol to a temperature value.

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

The most common reason is that your laptop has no numeric keypad. Check whether your keyboard has a separate number pad on the right side. If it does not, use the Character Map method instead. If your laptop does have a numeric keypad accessed through the Fn key, make sure Num Lock is on before typing the code.

Does the degree symbol work in Excel formulas or will it cause an error?

The degree symbol is just a character, so it does not cause errors in formulas. If you type it in a cell with a formula, it becomes part of the text string. If you want to add the symbol to a calculated result, use concatenation: =ROUND(A1,1)&"°" will display a rounded number followed by the degree symbol.

Can I copy and paste the degree symbol between cells?

Yes. Type or insert the degree symbol in one cell, select that cell, press Ctrl+C to copy, then click another cell and press Ctrl+V to paste. You can also copy the symbol from any web page or document and paste it into Excel the same way.

What if I need the degree symbol but my keyboard is not U.S. English?

The Alt code and Mac shortcut are specific to U.S. English keyboards. If your keyboard is set to a different language, use the Insert menu method instead—it works on any keyboard layout. Alternatively, copy the degree symbol from a web page and paste it into your spreadsheet.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.