The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on most keyboards, so you need a keyboard shortcut or a menu option. 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, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, type 00b0, and press Enter or Space.

These shortcuts work in almost any program — email, documents, spreadsheets, web forms. The method is the same whether you are typing in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a text field in your browser. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process or type the symbol directly if your keyboard has a Fn key that activates the numeric pad.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to produce the degree symbol.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any process.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift, press U, type 00b0, then press Enter or Space.
  • The degree symbol works the same way in email, documents, web forms, and spreadsheets across all operating systems.
  • Laptops without a numeric keypad can use Character Map on Windows or enable Fn + Num Lock to set up the numeric pad layer.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

The numeric keypad is the set of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. To type the degree symbol on Windows, make sure Num Lock is on (a light on the keyboard usually indicates this), then hold down the Alt key. While holding Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad — not the number row at the top of the keyboard. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

This method works in Word, Outlook, Excel, Google Docs, web browsers, and most other programs. The order matters: hold Alt first, type the numbers second, release Alt last. If nothing appears, check that Num Lock is enabled and that you are using the numeric keypad on the right, not the numbers across the top.

Windows: Character Map for laptops without a numeric keypad

Laptops often lack a dedicated numeric keypad, which makes the Alt + 0176 method impossible. Instead, open Character Map by pressing the Windows key, typing "character map," and pressing Enter. In the window that opens, type "degree" in the search box at the bottom. The degree symbol appears in the results. Double-click it to copy it to your clipboard, then paste it (Ctrl + V) wherever you need it.

Character Map is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it works on any Windows machine and requires no memorization. You can also enable Num Lock on some laptops by holding Fn and pressing Num Lock (usually labeled on the F11 or F12 key), which converts part of the keyboard into a numeric pad. Check your laptop's manual or keyboard labels to see if this option is available.

Mac: The Shift + Option + 8 shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol shortcut is consistent across all applications. Hold Shift and Option (also called Alt) at the same time, then press 8. Release all keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works in Mail, Pages, Numbers, Google Docs, web browsers, and any other program where you type text.

The shortcut is the same on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini keyboards. If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are holding both Shift and Option — holding only one will not work. The 8 key can be anywhere on the keyboard (top row or numeric keypad if your Mac has one).

Linux: The Ctrl + Shift + U method

On Linux, the degree symbol uses a Unicode input method. Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then press U. Type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Enter or Space. The symbol appears in place of the code you typed. This method works in most Linux applications, including text editors, email clients, and web browsers.

If the Unicode input method does not work, your Linux distribution may require you to enable it first. Check your system settings under Input Methods or Keyboard Settings. Some distributions have it enabled by default; others require set up. Once enabled, the Ctrl + Shift + U method works consistently across all applications.

Using the degree symbol in specific programs

In Microsoft Word, you can also insert the degree symbol through the Insert menu. Click Insert, then Symbol, search for "degree," and click Insert. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but useful if you forget the Alt code. In Excel and Google Sheets, the keyboard shortcuts work the same way — type the symbol directly into a cell or formula.

In web forms and email, the keyboard shortcut is the fastest method. Some online text editors (like Google Docs) also allow you to use Insert > Special Characters, which opens a menu where you can search for and click the degree symbol. This is helpful if you are on a shared computer where you do not want to memorize multiple shortcuts.

When you need the degree symbol frequently

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperature readings, angles, coordinates, or scientific notation — consider creating a text shortcut or AutoCorrect entry. In Windows, you can set up AutoCorrect in Word to replace a short code (like "deg") with the degree symbol automatically. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and add a replacement rule. In Google Docs, use Tools > Preferences to set up similar shortcuts.

Another option is to copy the degree symbol once and paste it whenever you need it. Type it using your operating system's shortcut, select it, copy it (Ctrl + C or Cmd + C), and then paste it (Ctrl + V or Cmd + V) as many times as needed. This avoids memorizing a shortcut if you only use the symbol occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock by holding Fn and pressing the Num Lock key (usually F11 or F12), which converts part of your keyboard into a numeric pad. If that does not work, use Character Map instead: press Windows key, type "character map," and search for the degree symbol.

Is the degree symbol the same on all operating systems?

Yes, the degree symbol (°) looks identical on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The only difference is the keyboard shortcut you use to type it. Once typed, the symbol displays the same way in emails, documents, and web pages regardless of the operating system.

Can I type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

On most phones, hold down the 0 (zero) key on the number pad, and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. Tap it to insert it. On tablets, the method varies by device — check your keyboard settings or use copy-paste from a web search if the long-press method does not work.

What if I need the degree symbol but do not know the shortcut?

Search for "degree symbol" in your web browser, copy the symbol from the search results, and paste it where you need it. This works on any device and requires no memorization, though it is slower than using a keyboard shortcut for frequent use.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

Yes, the keyboard shortcuts work in nearly all programs — email, word processors, spreadsheets, web forms, and text editors. The only exception is some very old or specialized software, but modern applications universally support the degree symbol.