The quickest way to add a degree symbol

The fastest method is to type the degree symbol directly using your keyboard. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. The symbol ° appears when ready in the cell you are editing.

This works in any cell where you are actively typing. You can use it mid-entry — for example, typing "98°F" in a single cell — or paste it into a formula. The symbol becomes part of the cell content, so it prints and exports with your spreadsheet.

If the numeric keypad method does not work on your Windows laptop (many laptops lack a dedicated numeric pad), use the Character Map tool instead, which is covered in the next section.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type Alt+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.
  • The Character Map tool on Windows and the Character Viewer on Mac let you search for and insert the symbol without memorizing a code.
  • You can combine the degree symbol with text in a single cell or use it in formulas that concatenate values.
  • The symbol is part of your cell content and will print and export with your spreadsheet.

Using Character Map on Windows if Alt codes do not work

If your laptop has no numeric keypad or the Alt+0176 method does not respond, open Character Map. Press Windows key + R, type charmap, and press Enter. The Character Map window opens.

In the search field at the bottom, type degree. The degree symbol appears in the grid above. Double-click it, and it moves to the "Characters to copy" field at the bottom. Click Copy, then switch back to Excel and paste it into your cell using Ctrl+V.

This method takes a few extra clicks but works on any Windows machine, regardless of keyboard layout. You can keep Character Map open while you work and copy the symbol as many times as you need.

Using Character Viewer on Mac

Mac users who prefer a visual approach can use the Character Viewer. Press Control + Command + Space to open it, or go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and enable "Show Input menu in menu bar," then select Character Viewer from the menu bar.

In the search field, type degree. The degree symbol appears in the results. Double-click it to insert it directly into your active Excel cell. You can also drag the symbol from the Character Viewer into a cell if you prefer.

Combining the degree symbol with numbers in a formula

If you are building a temperature column or angle measurement table, you can use a formula to attach the degree symbol to numbers automatically. In Excel, use the CONCATENATE function or the ampersand (&) operator to join the number and symbol.

For example, if cell A1 contains the number 98, type this formula in cell B1: =A1&"°". The result displays as 98°. To insert the degree symbol inside the formula, use the same keyboard shortcut or Character Map method — paste the symbol between the quotation marks.

This approach is useful when you have a column of raw numbers and want to add the symbol to all of them at once. Copy the formula down the column, and every cell will display the number with the degree symbol attached.

Copying and pasting the symbol between cells

Once you have typed the degree symbol in one cell, you can copy it and paste it into others without repeating the keyboard shortcut. Click the cell containing the symbol, copy it with Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), then click the destination cell and paste with Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V).

You can also select multiple cells and paste the symbol into all of them at once. This is faster than typing the symbol repeatedly if you are working with many cells in a row.

Inserting the symbol from the Insert menu

Excel also offers a built-in Symbol tool. Click the cell where you want the symbol, then go to the Insert tab in the ribbon. Click Symbol (in newer versions, this may be under Insert > Special Character). A dialog box opens showing available symbols.

Scroll to find the degree symbol, or type 00B0 (its Unicode value) in the "Character code" field to jump directly to it. Click Insert, then Close. The symbol appears in your cell.

This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but requires no memorization and works the same way on Windows and Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the degree symbol print correctly if I share the spreadsheet with someone else?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that all computers and printers recognize. When you share the file, the symbol remains intact whether the recipient opens it in Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet program.

Can I use the degree symbol in a cell that also contains a formula?

Yes. You can combine the symbol with formulas using the ampersand operator or CONCATENATE function. For example, =ROUND(A1,1)&"°" rounds a number and attaches the degree symbol to the result in a single cell.

What if Alt+0176 types a different character on my keyboard?

This usually happens on non-English keyboard layouts. Use Character Map or Character Viewer instead, which work regardless of your keyboard language setting. You can also search online for the Alt code specific to your keyboard layout.

Can I format the degree symbol to be smaller or superscript?

Yes. Select the cell, then right-click and choose Format Cells. Go to the Font tab and check Superscript to raise the symbol above the baseline. You can also adjust the font size in the same dialog to make it smaller.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol appear automatically when I type a number?

Not without a formula. If you want automatic formatting, use a formula like =A1&"°" in a separate column, or use Find & Replace to add the symbol to existing numbers (search for numbers and replace them with the same number plus the symbol using regular expressions).