The fastest way to type a degree symbol

In Microsoft Word, hold Ctrl and press Shift, then type O (the letter, not zero). Release all keys. The degree symbol (°) will appear where your cursor was. This works on Windows machines running any recent version of Word.

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option, then press 8. The symbol appears when ready. This shortcut works in Word for Mac 2016 and later.

If the shortcut does not work, your keyboard layout or Word version may use a different combination. The Insert menu method below works on every machine and every version.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type a degree symbol by pressing Ctrl+Shift+O, while Mac users press Shift+Option+8.
  • If keyboard shortcuts do not work, use Insert > Symbol > Special Characters to find and insert the degree symbol manually.
  • You can create a custom keyboard shortcut in Word if you type the degree symbol often in your work.
  • AutoCorrect can replace a text shortcut like "(deg)" with the degree symbol automatically as you type.
  • The degree symbol is different from the superscript zero and the ring accent — Word's Symbol menu shows you the exact character.

Using the Insert menu when shortcuts do not work

Open Word and place your cursor where you want the degree symbol. Click the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon. On the far right, click Symbol, then click More Symbols at the bottom of the dropdown menu.

A dialog box opens. In the search field at the bottom, type "degree" and Word will highlight the degree symbol. Click it once to select it, then click Insert. Close the dialog when you are done. The symbol now appears in your document.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works the same way in Word on Windows, Mac, and online. You only need to do this once per document unless you delete the symbol and need another one.

Setting up AutoCorrect for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperatures, angles, or coordinates — set up AutoCorrect to replace a short text code with the symbol. Open Word and click File, then Options (on Mac, click Word in the menu bar, then Preferences

Click Proofing, then AutoCorrect Options. In the dialog, click the AutoCorrect tab. In the "Replace" field, type a code like "(deg)" or "degr". In the "With" field, insert the degree symbol using the method above or by copying one from elsewhere in your document. Click Add, then OK.

From now on, whenever you type "(deg)" followed by a space or punctuation, Word replaces it with °. You can set up multiple codes this way — "(temp)" for temperature contexts, "(angle)" for geometry work, or any other shorthand that makes sense for your writing.

Creating a custom keyboard shortcut

For the fastest possible typing, you can assign a keyboard combination that is easier to remember than Ctrl+Shift+O. Open Word and go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon (on Mac, Word > Preferences > Keyboard). Look for a button labeled Customize or Keyboard Shortcuts.

In the dialog that opens, scroll down the list on the left to find "Symbol" or "Insert Symbol". Select it. In the "Press new keyboard shortcut" field, type the combination you want — for example, Alt and D together. Click Assign. The shortcut is now active in that document and any new documents you create based on the same template.

Custom shortcuts are personal to your machine and your Word setup. If you share documents with others, they will not have the same shortcut unless they set it up themselves.

Copying and pasting a degree symbol

The simplest method if you are not sure about keyboard shortcuts: find a degree symbol anywhere online or in another document, select it, and copy it with Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac). Then paste it into Word with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V whenever you need it.

You can also keep a text file or a Word document open with a single degree symbol in it, and copy from that file whenever you need the symbol. This takes longer than a keyboard shortcut but requires no setup and works on any computer.

Why the degree symbol looks different in different fonts

The degree symbol may appear slightly higher, lower, or larger depending on which font your document uses. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri all render the symbol slightly differently. This is normal and does not mean you typed the wrong character.

If the symbol looks wrong in your document, check that you inserted the actual degree symbol (°, Unicode U+00B0) and not a superscript zero (0) or a ring accent (˚). The Insert > Symbol menu shows you exactly which character you are inserting, so using that method removes any doubt.

Degree symbol in headers, footers, and tables

The keyboard shortcut and AutoCorrect method work the same way in headers, footers, and table cells as they do in the main body of your document. Click inside the header, footer, or cell, then use whichever method you prefer.

If you are working in a table and the shortcut does not seem to work, make sure you have actually clicked inside the cell — sometimes Word requires you to double-click to enter edit mode inside a table cell before keyboard shortcuts respond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the degree symbol the same as a superscript zero?

No. A superscript zero is smaller and positioned higher than regular text. The degree symbol is a distinct character designed to sit at the baseline. Word treats them differently, and they look noticeably different in most fonts. Use Insert > Symbol to make sure you are inserting the actual degree symbol.

Can I use the degree symbol in a file I am sharing with someone using Google Docs or another program?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard Unicode character that every word processor recognizes. If you save your Word document as a .docx or .pdf file and share it, the symbol will display correctly on any computer. If you copy and paste text containing the degree symbol into Google Docs or another program, it usually transfers without problems.

What if Ctrl+Shift+O does not work on my Windows computer?

Your keyboard layout or a running program may be intercepting the shortcut. Try the Insert > Symbol method instead, or set up AutoCorrect with a text code like "(deg)". If you use the degree symbol often, creating a custom keyboard shortcut through Word's Options menu gives you a reliable alternative.

Can I type a degree symbol on a laptop keyboard without a number pad?

Yes. The Ctrl+Shift+O shortcut on Windows and Shift+Option+8 on Mac both work on laptop keyboards without a separate number pad. If those do not work, use the Insert > Symbol menu or set up AutoCorrect — both methods work on any keyboard.