The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) appears in temperatures, angles, and geographic coordinates. 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 + U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter.

If your laptop has no numeric keypad — common on ultrabooks and smaller machines — Windows offers a second route: the Character Map process. Press the Windows key, type "Character Map", open it, search for "degree", select the symbol, click Copy, then paste it where you need it. This method works on any Windows machine regardless of keyboard layout.

All three methods work consistently. The keyboard shortcut is fastest if you type the symbol often; Character Map is slower but easier to remember if you use it rarely.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to produce the degree symbol on any keyboard.
  • Windows users without a numeric keypad can open Character Map, search for "degree", and copy the symbol directly.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space to insert the symbol.
  • The keyboard shortcut is fastest for frequent use; Character Map is more reliable if you rarely need the symbol.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

This method requires a numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard — standard on desktop keyboards and larger laptops, but absent on many ultrabooks and compact machines. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard. While holding Alt, press 0, then 1, then 7, then 6 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top). Release Alt. The degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

The numeric keypad is usually labeled with Num Lock at the top left. If Num Lock is off, the keys produce arrow movements instead of numbers. Press Num Lock once to turn it on — a light on your keyboard usually indicates the state. Then try the Alt + 0176 combination again.

This shortcut works in any Windows process: email, word processors, spreadsheets, web forms, and text editors. It does not work in some older software or specialized programs, but those are rare.

Windows: Using Character Map without a numeric keypad

If your laptop has no numeric keypad, open Character Map instead. Press the Windows key (bottom left of your keyboard), type the word Character Map, and press Enter. A window opens showing a grid of symbols.

In the search box at the bottom, type degree. The grid filters to show only the degree symbol. Click on it once to select it, then click the Copy button. The symbol is now in your clipboard. Click into the document or form where you need it and press Ctrl + V to paste.

Character Map is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works on any Windows machine. You can also bookmark this method by pinning Character Map to your Start menu: right-click the process name and select "Pin to Start" so it opens faster next time.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut

On any Mac keyboard, press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in all Mac applications — Mail, Pages, Google Docs, web browsers, and text editors.

The Option key is usually labeled "alt" on Mac keyboards and sits between the Control key and the Command key. If you are using an external keyboard connected to your Mac, the same shortcut applies. Some older or non-Apple keyboards may not have an Option key; in that case, use the Emoji & Symbols panel instead: press Control + Command + Space, search for "degree", and double-click the symbol to insert it.

Unlike Windows, Mac does not use numeric keypad codes. The Shift + Option + 8 combination is the standard method across all Mac models and keyboard types.

Linux: Using the Unicode input method

On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift + U simultaneously. A small "u" with an underline appears on screen, indicating Unicode input mode is active. Type 00b0 (the Unicode code for degree), then press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears.

This method works in most Linux applications and desktop environments, including GNOME, KDE, and Cinnamon. Some older applications or specialized software may not support Unicode input; if the symbol does not appear, try the process's Insert menu or check its documentation for symbol insertion.

If Ctrl + Shift + U does not work on your system, your Linux distribution may use a different input method. Check your system settings under "Input Methods" or "Keyboard" to confirm Unicode input is enabled.

When to use each method

Use the keyboard shortcut (Alt + 0176 on Windows, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac) if you type the degree symbol more than once a week. The shortcut becomes automatic after a few uses and is faster than any other method.

Use Character Map on Windows if your keyboard has no numeric keypad or if you type the symbol rarely enough that you would forget the shortcut. The same applies to the Emoji & Symbols panel on Mac — it is slower but requires no memorization.

If you type the degree symbol very often — for example, in scientific or technical writing — consider using a text expansion tool. On Mac, System Preferences includes Text Replacements: set a short code like "deg" to automatically expand to "°". Windows users can use AutoHotkey or similar tools to create custom shortcuts. These tools let you type the symbol with just two or three keystrokes.

Copying from the web as a backup

If you cannot remember the shortcut and do not have Character Map open, you can copy the degree symbol from any web page. Open a web browser, search for "degree symbol", and copy it from the search results. Paste it into your document, then use Find and Replace to insert it elsewhere if needed.

This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but requires no memorization and works on any device. It is useful as a backup when you are on an unfamiliar computer or using software that does not support the standard shortcuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your keyboard likely has no numeric keypad — common on ultrabooks and compact laptops. Use Character Map instead: press the Windows key, type "Character Map", search for "degree", and copy the symbol. Alternatively, check whether Num Lock is on; if the light is off, press Num Lock and try the shortcut again.

Can I type the degree symbol on a Mac without memorizing the shortcut?

Yes. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Emoji & Symbols panel, search for "degree", and double-click the symbol to insert it. This is slower than Shift + Option + 8 but requires no memorization. You can also copy the symbol from any web page and paste it where needed.

Does the degree symbol work in all applications?

It works in nearly all modern applications: email, word processors, spreadsheets, web forms, and text editors. Some older software or specialized programs may not support it, but this is rare. If the symbol does not appear, try copying it from Character Map or the web instead of using the keyboard shortcut.

What if I need to type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

On iPhone and iPad, hold down the "0" key on the keyboard until a menu appears showing the degree symbol, then tap it. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app; most show the symbol in the symbols panel, or you can long-press the "0" key. Check your keyboard app's documentation if neither method works.

Can I create a custom keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Mac, yes: open System Preferences, go to Keyboard, select Text Replacements, and create a new entry where the shortcut (like "deg") expands to "°". On Windows, you can use AutoHotkey or similar automation tools to create custom shortcuts. These tools let you type the symbol with just a few keystrokes.