The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) appears in temperatures, angles, and geographic coordinates, but it is not a key on your keyboard. 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 type 00b0 and press Space.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops and compact keyboards — Windows offers a second method: use the Character Map process built into Windows, search for "degree", and copy the symbol to paste where you need it. This is slower for one symbol but faster if you type it repeatedly in the same document.

Phone and tablet keyboards have their own shortcuts. On iPhone, 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 hold 0 or access the symbols panel.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users without a numeric keypad can open Character Map, search for "degree", and copy the symbol to use anywhere.
  • The Alt code method (Alt + 0176) works only on Windows with a numeric keypad, not on laptop keyboards without one.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 every time they need the symbol — there is no Alt code equivalent.
  • Many word processors and spreadsheets have Insert menus that let you search for special characters by name instead of memorizing codes.

Using Character Map on Windows without a numeric keypad

If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, the Alt code method will not work. Open the Windows search box, type Character Map, and press Enter. The Character Map window shows a grid of symbols.

In the search field at the bottom, type degree. The grid narrows to show the degree symbol. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. Now you can paste it anywhere — in an email, a document, a spreadsheet — by pressing Ctrl + V.

This method is also useful if you forget the Alt code or need a different symbol. You can search by name for any character your computer supports, copy it, and paste it into your work.

Using Insert menus in Word, Google Docs, and Excel

Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Excel all have built-in symbol insertion tools that do not require memorizing codes. In Word, click the Insert tab, then click Symbol (on the far right). A dropdown menu appears; click More Symbols to open a larger window.

In the search box, type degree and the symbol appears. Click it and then click Insert. The symbol is placed in your document at the cursor position.

Google Docs works similarly: click Insert in the menu, then Special characters. Type degree in the search box and click the symbol to insert it. Excel uses the same Insert menu path as Word. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut for a single symbol, but it is reliable and requires no memorization.

Setting up a custom keyboard shortcut

If you type the degree symbol often, you can create a custom shortcut in Windows. Open Notepad, type the degree symbol (paste it from Character Map if needed), then copy it. Open Settings, go to Ease of Access, then Keyboard, and toggle on Print screen shortcut if you want to use that key. This method is limited, so most users instead use AutoCorrect.

In Word, type the degree symbol, then select it. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the Replace field, type a shortcut like deg. In the With field, paste the degree symbol. Click Add, then OK. Now every time you type deg followed by a space, Word replaces it with °.

Google Docs does not have AutoCorrect, but you can use browser extensions like AutoCorrect or TextExpander to create shortcuts that work across all websites and applications.

Why the Alt code is different on different keyboards

The Alt + 0176 code works only on Windows with a numeric keypad because the code sends a specific number to the operating system, which then displays the corresponding character. Laptops and compact keyboards often lack a dedicated numeric keypad, so the Alt code does not work.

Some laptop keyboards have a hidden numeric keypad accessed by holding Fn (Function key) while typing numbers on the right side of the letter keys. If your laptop has this feature, you can try Alt + Fn and the hidden number keys, but this rarely works. The Character Map method is more reliable.

Mac and Linux use entirely different character input systems, so their shortcuts are unrelated to Windows Alt codes. Each operating system has its own way of telling the computer which character to display.

Copying and pasting the symbol from the web

The simplest method for a one-time use is to search for "degree symbol" in your web browser, find a website that displays it, and copy it directly. Paste it into your document with Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac).

This works everywhere — email, messaging apps, social media, documents — because you are copying the actual character, not a code. The downside is that it requires an internet connection and is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you need the symbol repeatedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Alt code work on a laptop keyboard?

Not usually. Laptops typically lack a dedicated numeric keypad. Some have a hidden one accessed with the Fn key, but Alt + Fn + number codes rarely work. Use Character Map instead, which works on any Windows computer regardless of keyboard type.

Can I type the degree symbol on my phone?

Yes. On iPhone, hold the 0 key until a menu appears with the degree symbol, then tap it. On Android, hold 0 or access the symbols panel in your keyboard app — the exact method depends on which keyboard app you use. Google Keyboard and Samsung Keyboard both support this.

What if I need the degree symbol in an email?

Use the same method as your operating system: Alt + 0176 on Windows with a numeric keypad, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac, or copy from Character Map. The symbol pastes into email just like any other text. Some email clients also have Insert menus for special characters.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol on Mac?

Yes: Shift + Option + 8. This is the standard Mac shortcut and works in any process. Unlike Windows, there is no alternative Alt code method on Mac.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol on Mac?

Yes, through System Preferences. Go to Keyboard > Text, click the plus button, and create a new entry. In the Replace field, type your shortcut (like "deg"). In the With field, paste the degree symbol. Now your shortcut works across all applications on your Mac.