The fastest way to type a degree symbol

The degree symbol (°) appears in Word through a keyboard shortcut or the Insert menu. The quickest method depends on whether you type it often or just once in a while.

If you need it right now: hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt. The symbol appears when ready. This works in Word on Windows only.

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. Release all three keys and the degree symbol appears.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176 on the numeric keypad, then releasing Alt.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to insert the degree symbol.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the Insert menu to find the symbol in Word's special character library.
  • You can create a custom keyboard shortcut in Word so the degree symbol appears when you type a specific combination you choose.
  • AutoCorrect can replace a text shortcut (like "deg") with the degree symbol automatically as you type.

Using the Insert menu when the keyboard shortcut does not work

If you do not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops and smaller keyboards — the Alt code will not work. Instead, go to the Insert tab at the top of Word, then click Symbol on the right side of the ribbon. A dropdown menu appears.

Click More Symbols at the bottom of that menu. A dialog box opens showing hundreds of special characters. In the search field at the bottom, type degree and the symbol appears in the list above. Click it once to select it, then click Insert. The symbol lands in your document at the cursor position.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works on any keyboard and any version of Word, including on a Mac.

Setting up a custom shortcut you will remember

If you type the degree symbol regularly, create a shortcut that feels natural to you. Open the Insert menu, click Symbol, then More Symbols. Find the degree symbol in the list and click it once.

At the bottom left of the dialog, you will see a button labeled Shortcut Key. Click it. A small window opens asking you to press the key combination you want to use. Press the keys together — for example, Ctrl and ; (semicolon) — and Word checks whether that combination is already in use. If it is not, click Assign. From that moment on, pressing those keys in Word will insert the degree symbol.

This shortcut works only in Word, not in other programs. If you want the same shortcut to work everywhere on your computer, you will need to set it up in your operating system settings instead, which is a separate process.

Using AutoCorrect to replace text with the symbol

AutoCorrect lets you type something short — like "deg" — and Word automatically replaces it with the degree symbol as soon as you press Space or Enter. This is useful if you type the symbol often but do not want to memorize a keyboard combination.

Go to File, then Options (or Preferences on a Mac). Click Proofing on the left, then AutoCorrect Options. A dialog opens with several tabs at the top. Click the AutoCorrect tab.

In the Replace field, type the text you want to use — for example, deg. In the With field, type or paste the degree symbol (°). Click Add, then OK. Now whenever you type "deg" followed by a space, Word replaces it with °.

Why the Alt code does not work on some keyboards

The Alt+0176 method requires a numeric keypad — the separate block of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. Laptops, compact keyboards, and some external keyboards do not have this keypad, so the code does not work.

If you have a laptop with a numeric keypad hidden in the letter keys (usually marked with small numbers printed on the right side of certain letters), you may be able to set up it by holding Fn and pressing a key labeled Num Lock or NumLk. Once the numeric keypad is active, the Alt+0176 method works. Check your keyboard's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm whether your model has this feature.

Copying and pasting the symbol from elsewhere

If none of the above methods work for you, the simplest solution is to type the degree symbol once in Word using the Insert menu, then copy it. Select the symbol, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on a Mac), and paste it whenever you need it with Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V).

You can also copy the symbol from this page or from any website and paste it into Word. This takes a few extra seconds but requires no memorization and works on any device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt+0176 not work on my keyboard?

Your keyboard likely does not have a numeric keypad. Laptops and compact keyboards often lack this separate number pad on the right. Use the Insert menu method instead, or check whether your keyboard has a hidden numeric keypad activated by the Fn key.

Can I use the degree symbol in a formula or calculation?

Yes, the degree symbol is just a character and does not affect formulas. If you are working in Excel or another program, the same keyboard shortcuts and Insert menu method work. The symbol appears as text, not as a mathematical operator.

Does the custom shortcut I create stay in Word forever?

Yes, custom shortcuts remain in Word until you delete them. They are stored in your Word settings and persist across documents and sessions. If you reinstall Word or move to a different computer, you will need to set up the shortcut again.

What if I need a different symbol, like the copyright or trademark symbol?

The Insert menu method works for any special character. Open Insert, click Symbol, then More Symbols, and search for the symbol you need by name. You can also create custom shortcuts or AutoCorrect entries for any symbol the same way you would for the degree symbol.