The fastest way to insert a degree symbol

The degree symbol (°) appears in Microsoft Word through three main routes: the Insert menu, a keyboard shortcut, or by typing a code and pressing Alt+X. The Insert menu is the most reliable if you only need it once or twice. The keyboard shortcut is fastest if you type it regularly.

On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. In Word on either system, you can also type 00B0 and when ready press Alt+X, and Word converts it to °.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad (common on laptops), the Insert menu or Alt+X method works on any keyboard. Test whichever method you choose once before you need it in a real document, so you know it works on your specific setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to insert a degree symbol when ready.
  • Mac users hold Shift+Option and press 8 to type the degree symbol without opening any menu.
  • Any user on any keyboard can type 00B0 in Word and press Alt+X to convert it to a degree symbol.
  • The Insert menu route (Insert > Special Character > degree symbol) works on all devices but requires more clicks.

Using the Insert menu on any device

Open your Word document and place your cursor where you want the degree symbol. Click the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon, then look for a button labeled "Symbol" (usually on the right side of the ribbon). Click it and select "More Symbols" from the dropdown menu.

A dialog box opens showing available symbols. In the search field at the bottom, type "degree" and Word filters the list to show the degree symbol. Click it once to select it, then click the Insert button. Close the dialog when you are done.

This method works identically on Windows and Mac versions of Word, and it requires no memorization of codes or key combinations. The tradeoff is that it takes longer than a keyboard shortcut if you need the symbol multiple times in one document.

Keyboard shortcuts for Windows

The numeric keypad method is the standard Windows shortcut. Your keyboard must have a numeric keypad on the right side (the separate block of number keys). Laptop keyboards often do not have one, or require you to enable Num Lock first.

Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready. The leading zero is required — typing just 176 will not work.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the Alt+X method instead: type 00B0 anywhere in your document, then when ready press Alt+X. Word recognizes the code and converts it to °. This works on any keyboard layout.

Keyboard shortcuts for Mac

Mac Word users hold Shift and Option (the Alt key on Mac keyboards) at the same time, then press 8. Release all keys and the degree symbol appears. This is the fastest method on Mac and works on any Mac keyboard, including laptop keyboards.

If you forget the shortcut, the Alt+X method works on Mac too: type 00B0 and press Alt+X. Word converts it to the degree symbol. Both methods are equally fast once you remember which one you prefer.

When to use each method

Use the keyboard shortcut if you type the degree symbol more than once per week. The few seconds you save per symbol add up quickly, and the shortcut becomes automatic after a few uses. Use the Insert menu if you type it rarely or if you are on an unfamiliar keyboard and do not trust your memory of the shortcut.

The Alt+X method is a good middle ground: it works on any keyboard and any operating system, and it is faster than the Insert menu once you remember the code 00B0. Write it on a sticky note near your desk if you use it only occasionally.

Troubleshooting if the shortcut does not work

On Windows, the most common problem is using the number row instead of the numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is the separate block of keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. Laptops often do not have one. If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, use the Alt+X method (type 00B0, then Alt+X) instead.

On Mac, make sure you are holding Shift and Option together, not one at a time. The degree symbol will not appear if you press them separately. If the shortcut still does not work, try the Alt+X method: type 00B0 and press Alt+X.

If the Insert menu method does not work, make sure you are in a Word document, not another program. Some other applications use the Insert menu differently or do not support special character insertion the same way Word does.

Copying and pasting the symbol

If you need the degree symbol repeatedly in the same document, type it once using whichever method works for you, then select it and copy it (Ctrl+C on Windows, Command+C on Mac). Paste it wherever you need it (Ctrl+V or Command+V). This avoids repeating the shortcut or menu steps.

You can also keep a blank document open with just the degree symbol typed in it, then copy from that document whenever you need the symbol in a new file. This is useful if you work with temperature, angle, or coordinate data regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol work in all fonts?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character in every font that Word supports. It will display correctly no matter which font you choose for your document. If it looks different in one font than another, that is normal — different fonts render all characters slightly differently.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut of my own for the degree symbol?

Yes, in Word you can assign a custom shortcut. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard Shortcuts. Search for "degree" in the symbol list, select it, and assign a key combination you will remember. This is worth doing only if you type the symbol many times per day.

Why does Alt+0176 not work on my laptop?

Laptops usually lack a dedicated numeric keypad. Use the Alt+X method instead: type 00B0 and press Alt+X. Alternatively, use the Insert menu or the Mac shortcut (Shift+Option+8) if you are on a Mac laptop.

Is there a degree symbol in the autocorrect options?

Word does not include a degree symbol in the default autocorrect list, but you can add one yourself. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, then create a shortcut (like typing "deg" automatically becomes °). This is useful if you type the symbol very frequently.

Can I insert the degree symbol in other Microsoft programs like Excel?

Yes. The same shortcuts work in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The Insert menu method is identical across all Microsoft Office programs. The keyboard shortcuts (Alt+0176 on Windows, Shift+Option+8 on Mac) work in all of them as well.