How to Type the Degree Symbol on Any Keyboard

The degree symbol is not a dedicated key on most keyboards

The degree symbol (°) does not have its own key on standard keyboards. Instead, you type it using a combination of keys or a special code, and the method depends on whether you are using Windows, Mac, or Linux. On Windows, the fastest route is holding Alt and typing 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, or if you are on a phone or tablet, there are other methods that work just as well.

The reason the degree symbol is hidden rather than printed on a key comes down to space. A standard keyboard has about 100 keys, and manufacturers prioritize the characters people type most often. The degree symbol appears mainly in scientific writing, weather reports, and technical documents — not in everyday email or word processing. So it lives behind a key combination instead.

Key Takeaways

On Windows with a numeric keypad, hold Alt and type 0176, then release Alt to produce the degree symbol.
On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any process.
On Windows without a numeric keypad, use the Character Map process or copy the symbol from another source.
On phones and tablets, long-press the 0 key in most keyboards to access the degree symbol as a variant.
In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, you can insert the symbol through the Insert menu without memorizing a code.

Windows: Using the Alt code with a numeric keypad

The numeric keypad is the block of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard, separate from the main number row. To type the degree symbol on Windows, hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt. The symbol appears when ready where your cursor is.

This method works in almost every Windows process — email, word processors, web browsers, spreadsheets. The key is using the numeric keypad. If you type 0176 on the regular number row while holding Alt, nothing happens. Laptop keyboards often omit the numeric keypad entirely, which is why this method does not work on all devices.

Windows: Without a numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards usually have no numeric keypad. On these devices, the fastest method is the Character Map process built into Windows. Open the Start menu, search for "Character Map," and launch it. In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the symbol appears. Click it, then click Copy, and paste it into your document with Ctrl + V.

Alternatively, you can type the degree symbol once in any document, select it, copy it, and paste it whenever you need it again. This takes 10 seconds the first time and then you have it saved in your clipboard. Some people keep a text file with frequently used symbols for quick copying.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol is easier to reach than on Windows. Press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. The symbol appears when ready in any process — Mail, Pages, Google Docs, web browsers, everything. This shortcut works the same way on every Mac keyboard, whether it is a full-size external keyboard or a MacBook built-in keyboard.

If you type the shortcut and nothing appears, make sure you are holding all three keys at once and that you are pressing the 8 key on the number row, not on a numeric keypad. The order does not matter — you can press them in any sequence as long as all three are held down together.

Phones and tablets: Long-press the zero key

On iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, the degree symbol is a variant of the 0 key. Open any text field — a message, email, note, or search box — and long-press (press and hold) the 0 key. A menu of related characters appears, including the degree symbol. Tap it to insert it into your text.

This method works in any app that accepts text input. The exact appearance of the menu varies slightly between iPhone and Android, but the concept is the same: hold the key and select from the options that appear. If the degree symbol does not show up, try holding the key longer — sometimes the menu takes a moment to appear.

Microsoft Word and Google Docs: Using the Insert menu

If you use Word or Google Docs regularly, you do not need to memorize a keyboard shortcut. In Microsoft Word, click the Insert menu, select Symbol, then search for "degree" or scroll to find it. Click it and then click Insert. In Google Docs, click Insert, then Special Characters, search for "degree," and click the symbol to add it to your document.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you type the degree symbol many times in one document. But if you use it rarely, it is simpler than remembering Alt + 0176 or Shift + Option + 8. Both applications remember your recent symbols, so the second time you insert it, it appears at the top of the list.

When you need the degree symbol repeatedly

If you write scientific reports, weather data, or technical specifications regularly, typing the degree symbol dozens of times per document becomes tedious. The best solution is to set up a text expansion tool. On Mac, you can create a text shortcut in System Preferences that expands a short code into the degree symbol — for example, typing "deg" automatically becomes °. Windows does not have this built in, but third-party tools like AutoHotkey let you do the same thing.

Another option is to create a template in Word or Docs with the symbol already in place, so you only need to copy and paste it. Some people keep a small text file open in the background with commonly used symbols, making it a quick copy-paste operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Laptops usually have no numeric keypad. The Alt code method only works with the numeric keypad on the right side of a full-size keyboard. Use Character Map instead, or try Shift + Option + 8 if you are on a Mac.

Can I type the degree symbol in a web browser?

Yes. The keyboard shortcuts work in any text field — email, search boxes, social media posts, online forms. Use Alt + 0176 on Windows or Shift + Option + 8 on Mac. On phones, long-press the 0 key as usual.

Is there a way to type it without memorizing a code?

Yes. Use Character Map on Windows, the Insert menu in Word or Docs, or long-press the 0 key on a phone. You can also copy the symbol from this page and paste it whenever you need it.

Does the degree symbol work in all applications?

The keyboard shortcuts work in nearly every process — email, browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, messaging apps. The only exceptions are very old or specialized software, which is rare. If a shortcut does not work, try the Character Map or Insert menu method instead.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.