The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not on any standard keyboard, but you can type it in seconds once you know the method for your system. Windows, Mac, and Linux each have a different path, and the fastest one for you depends on which device you are using right now.

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On Linux with a compose key enabled, press Compose, then o, then o. If none of these work on your keyboard, there is a backup method that works everywhere: copy the symbol from a website and paste it where you need it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row).
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8 to produce the degree symbol.
  • If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad or compose key, copying and pasting the symbol from any website takes five seconds and works on every device.
  • Some programs like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have built-in symbol menus where you can search for and insert the degree symbol without memorizing a code.

Windows: Using the Alt code

The numeric keypad on the right side of most Windows keyboards has a built-in code system. To type the degree symbol, make sure Num Lock is on (you will see a light on the Num Lock key), then hold down the Alt key and type 0176 on the numeric keypad only. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

The number row at the top of your keyboard will not work for this — it must be the keypad on the right. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), you can enable a software numeric keypad by searching "On-Screen Keyboard" in Windows settings, or use the copy-and-paste method instead.

Mac: Using Shift and Option

On a Mac keyboard, hold Shift and Option (also called Alt) at the same time, then press the 8 key. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works on both MacBooks and external Mac keyboards.

If you are using a Windows keyboard connected to a Mac, the Alt code method will not work — stick with the Shift-Option-8 combination. The symbol should appear when ready without any delay.

Linux: Using the Compose key

Linux systems with a compose key enabled can type the degree symbol by pressing Compose, then o, then o (the letter o twice). The compose key is often mapped to the right Alt key or the Menu key, depending on your keyboard layout and Linux distribution.

If you are not sure whether your compose key is enabled, try the method anyway — if nothing happens, your system may not have it turned on. In that case, the copy-and-paste method works on Linux just as it does on Windows and Mac.

Using symbol menus in Microsoft Word and Google Docs

If you are typing in Microsoft Word, you can insert the degree symbol without memorizing any codes. Click the Insert menu, then select Symbol, then search for "degree" in the search box. Click the degree symbol in the list and click Insert. The symbol appears in your document.

Google Docs works similarly: click Insert, then Special Characters, then search for "degree" in the search box. Click the symbol to insert it. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcuts but requires no memory and works the same way every time.

Copy and paste: The method that works everywhere

If your keyboard does not have the keys you need or you cannot remember the combination, you can copy the degree symbol from any website and paste it into your document. Open a web browser, search for "degree symbol," and copy the ° character from the search results. Then paste it into your document using Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac).

This method takes about ten seconds and works on every device, every operating system, and every program. It is slower than the keyboard shortcuts, but it requires no setup and never fails. Many people keep a text file with commonly needed symbols saved on their computer so they can paste them without searching each time.

Why the degree symbol is not on your keyboard

The degree symbol is not printed on standard keyboards because it is used less often than letters and numbers. Keyboard layouts prioritize the characters people type most, and the degree symbol only appears in specific contexts like temperatures, angles, and geographic coordinates. Rather than take up space on the physical keyboard, operating systems provide hidden codes and key combinations to access it.

This is why every operating system has a different method — each one was designed by a different company with different priorities. Once you learn the method for your system, it becomes automatic, and you will type the degree symbol as quickly as any other character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if Alt+0176 does not work on my Windows keyboard?

Make sure you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top. Num Lock must also be on. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, search "On-Screen Keyboard" in Windows settings to open a software keypad, or use the copy-and-paste method instead.

Can I type the degree symbol on a laptop keyboard?

Mac laptops can use Shift-Option-8. Windows laptops without a numeric keypad can use the On-Screen Keyboard (search for it in settings) or copy and paste. Some Windows laptops have a Fn key that activates a hidden numeric keypad — check your keyboard for numbers printed in small text on the letter keys.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that every program recognizes. It works in email, text editors, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and social media. If you type it using your system's method, it will display correctly everywhere.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol easier to type?

You can create a keyboard shortcut in most programs. In Microsoft Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, then add a shortcut like "deg" that automatically becomes °. Some text editors and note-taking apps have similar features. Otherwise, keeping the symbol in a text file for copy-and-paste is the easiest workaround.