The quickest way to add a degree symbol in Excel

The degree symbol (°) appears in Excel through three main routes: the keyboard shortcut, the Insert menu, or copy-paste from another source. The fastest method depends on whether you are on Windows or Mac and how often you need the symbol in your spreadsheet.

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. Both shortcuts work inside any cell where you are typing.

If you do not have a numeric keypad or prefer not to memorize shortcuts, the Insert menu works on both systems and takes about five seconds per symbol.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176 on the numeric keypad, which is the fastest method if your keyboard has one.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to insert the degree symbol without opening any menu.
  • The Insert menu method works on any computer and any keyboard layout: click Insert, select Symbol, find the degree symbol, and click Insert.
  • Once you insert a degree symbol, you can copy it and paste it into other cells rather than repeating the shortcut each time.
  • The degree symbol works in formulas, labels, and data cells, and does not interfere with calculations or sorting.

Using the Alt code on Windows

The numeric keypad shortcut is the fastest method on Windows machines. Position your cursor in the cell where you want the symbol, then hold down the Alt key and type 0176 using only the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

This method requires a numeric keypad, which most desktop keyboards have but many laptops do not. If your laptop keyboard has Fn Lock or a Num Lock key, you may be able to enable a numeric keypad overlay on the letter keys — check your keyboard manual or press Fn + Num Lock to see if this activates it. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad at all, use the Insert menu method instead.

The Alt code works in any cell, whether you are entering data, writing a label, or typing inside a formula. It does not matter what language or regional settings your computer uses.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Mac

Mac users can type the degree symbol without opening any menu. Click inside the cell where you want the symbol, then hold Shift and Option at the same time and press 8. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears.

This shortcut works on any Mac keyboard, including laptop keyboards, because it does not rely on a numeric keypad. The symbol appears when ready and works in any cell or formula.

If the shortcut does not work, check that your keyboard language is set to U.S. English or a similar layout. Some international keyboard layouts use different key combinations for the degree symbol. You can verify your keyboard layout in System Preferences under Keyboard.

Inserting the symbol through the menu

The Insert menu method works on Windows and Mac and does not require memorizing a keyboard shortcut. Click the cell where you want the degree symbol, then click the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon (Windows) or the Insert menu (Mac). Look for a Symbol button or option.

A dialog box opens showing a grid of special characters. Scroll or search for the degree symbol — it usually appears near the top of the list, or you can type "degree" in the search field if one exists. Click the degree symbol to select it, then click the Insert button. Close the dialog, and the symbol is now in your cell.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works on any keyboard and any computer. It is useful if you only need the symbol once or twice in your spreadsheet.

Copying and pasting the symbol

Once you have inserted a degree symbol anywhere in your spreadsheet, you can copy it and paste it into other cells instead of repeating the shortcut or menu steps. Click the cell containing the degree symbol, copy it (Ctrl+C on Windows or Cmd+C on Mac), then click the cell where you want it and paste (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V).

This approach is practical if you need the symbol in many cells. You can also type the degree symbol once in a blank cell, copy it, and keep it in that location as a reference you can paste from whenever you need it.

The pasted symbol behaves exactly like one you typed directly — it does not create a link or formula, and it does not affect sorting, filtering, or calculations.

Using the degree symbol in formulas and labels

The degree symbol works in any cell, including those containing formulas, calculations, or data. If you are labeling a column for temperature readings, you can type the header as "Temperature (°C)" or "Temperature (°F)" using any of the methods above. The symbol is just text and does not interfere with how Excel reads or processes the data.

If you are building a formula that references cells with degree symbols, the symbols are ignored in calculations — Excel only processes the numbers. For example, if cell A1 contains "98°F", a formula that adds A1 to another number will use only the 98, not the symbol.

You can also use the degree symbol in custom number formats if you want it to appear automatically whenever a number is entered in a cell. This requires opening the Format Cells dialog and editing the custom format code, which is more advanced but useful if you are creating a template others will use.

Troubleshooting when the symbol does not appear

If you use the Alt code on Windows and nothing happens, check that you are using the numeric keypad, not the number row at the top of the keyboard. The Alt code only works with the numeric keypad on the right. Also verify that Num Lock is turned on — if the Num Lock light is off, press Num Lock once and try again.

If you are on Mac and the Shift+Option+8 shortcut does not work, your keyboard layout may not be set to U.S. English. Open System Preferences, go to Keyboard, and check the Input Sources list. If you see a different language selected, switch to U.S. English and try the shortcut again.

If the Insert menu method does not show a Symbol option, you may be using an older version of Excel or a different spreadsheet program. In that case, copy the degree symbol from another source — search "degree symbol" online, copy it from a search result, and paste it into your spreadsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the degree symbol appear automatically when I type a number?

Yes, using a custom number format. Right-click the cell, select Format Cells, go to the Number tab, choose Custom, and edit the format code to include the degree symbol. For example, entering 0"°C" will display any number in that cell with a degree symbol and the letter C after it. This works for entire columns or ranges if you explore the format to multiple cells at once.

Does the degree symbol work in Excel formulas or does it break calculations?

The degree symbol is just text and does not affect formulas or calculations. If a cell contains "32°F" and you reference that cell in a formula, Excel uses only the number 32. The symbol is ignored in math operations, sorting, and filtering.

What if my keyboard does not have a numeric keypad?

Use the Insert menu method or copy-paste the symbol from another cell. Some laptops have a Num Lock overlay on the letter keys — press Fn + Num Lock to enable it, then use the Alt code on those keys. If that does not work, the Insert menu is your most reliable option.

Can I use the degree symbol in cell names or named ranges?

No. Excel does not allow special characters like the degree symbol in cell names or named ranges. You can use the symbol in the data inside a cell or in a column header, but not in the name you assign to a range.

Will the degree symbol display correctly if someone opens my file on a different computer?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character and displays the same way on Windows, Mac, and any other system. It will appear correctly whether the file is opened in Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet program.