The fastest way depends on your operating system and what program you're using
The degree symbol (°) appears in temperatures, angles, coordinates, and academic writing. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8. On Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter or Space. If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad or you prefer not to memorize codes, every major operating system also lets you insert it from a character menu or paste it from a web search.
The method you choose depends on how often you type the symbol and whether you're in a program that supports keyboard shortcuts. Word processors, spreadsheets, and text editors all handle the degree symbol the same way — the operating system delivers it before the program sees it. Browsers, email clients, and messaging apps work identically. If a method fails, the program itself is not the problem; your keyboard layout or operating system settings are.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad; Mac users press Shift + Option + 8; Linux users press Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00b0.
- If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the character insertion menu built into your operating system instead of a keyboard shortcut.
- You can also search for "degree symbol" online, copy it, and paste it into any document or message.
- Once you type the symbol once in most programs, autocorrect or search history will let you insert it again without repeating the full shortcut.
Windows: Alt code method and alternatives
The numeric keypad Alt code is the standard Windows method. Make sure Num Lock is on — the light on your keyboard should be lit. Hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row above the letters), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in Word, Google Docs, Notepad, email, browsers, and nearly every other program.
If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops — use the Character Map instead. Press Windows key + R, type charmap, and press Enter. Search for "degree" in the search box at the bottom. Click the degree symbol in the list, click Copy, then paste it into your document. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works everywhere and requires no memorization.
A third option is to type the symbol once, then use Windows autocorrect to insert it automatically. In Word or Outlook, type a shortcut like "deg" or "°temp", select it, then go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Under Replace, type your shortcut in the left box and paste the degree symbol in the right box. Click Add, then OK. From then on, typing "deg" and pressing Space will insert the symbol. This only works in Microsoft Office, not in other programs.
Mac: Option key shortcut and menu access
On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to insert the degree symbol. This works in every program — Word, Google Docs, Mail, Messages, browsers, and text editors. The shortcut is consistent across all macOS versions. If you forget the shortcut, you can also use the Character Viewer: press Control + Command + Space, search for "degree", and double-click the symbol to insert it.
Mac also lets you create a text replacement shortcut in System Settings. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacement, click the plus button, type a shortcut like "deg" in the left box, paste the degree symbol in the right box, and click Add. After that, typing "deg" and pressing Space will insert the symbol in any program that supports text replacement — most do, but some older or specialized apps may not.
Linux: Unicode input and copy-paste
On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment. The most common approach is Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter or Space. This works in GNOME, KDE, and most other environments. If that does not work, try Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Return instead of Enter.
If Unicode input is not enabled on your system, use the character map process instead. In GNOME, open the Activities menu and search for "Characters". In KDE, search for "Character Map". Find the degree symbol, click it, and click Copy. Then paste it into your document. You can also search online for "degree symbol", copy it from the search results, and paste it anywhere.
Pasting from a web search or document
The simplest method that works on any device is to search for "degree symbol" in your browser, copy the symbol from the search results, and paste it into your document. This requires no keyboard shortcuts and works even if your system settings are unusual or your keyboard layout is non-standard.
You can also keep a text file or document with the degree symbol saved somewhere you can reach it quickly — your desktop, a notes app, or a browser bookmark. Open it, copy the symbol, and paste it where you need it. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but faster than searching every time, and it works on any device including phones and tablets.
Why the shortcut might not work
If you press the keys and nothing happens, check these things in order. First, make sure Num Lock is on (Windows only). Second, verify you are using the numeric keypad, not the number row — many laptops do not have a separate numeric keypad. Third, check your keyboard layout: if you are using a non-English layout, the Alt code may be different or disabled. Fourth, some programs like games or specialized software may block system-level keyboard shortcuts; try pasting instead.
If you are on Mac and Shift + Option + 8 does not work, your keyboard layout may be set to something other than U.S. English. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and make sure U.S. is selected. If you are on Linux and Ctrl + Shift + U does not work, Unicode input may be disabled in your input method settings; check your system settings or try the character map process instead.
Setting up autocorrect or text replacement for repeated use
If you type the degree symbol regularly, setting up autocorrect saves time. In Microsoft Word, type the symbol once, select it, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, and create a replacement rule. In Google Docs, type the symbol, select it, go to Tools > Preferences, and set up a replacement. In most other programs, you cannot set up autocorrect, but you can copy the symbol and paste it repeatedly.
On Mac, text replacement works system-wide in most programs. On Windows, autocorrect is limited to Microsoft Office unless you use a third-party tool. On Linux, most text editors have their own autocorrect or snippet features; check your program's preferences. The keyboard shortcut itself is always faster than autocorrect if you remember it, so if you type the symbol more than once a week, learning the shortcut is worth the effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?
On iPhone, hold the 0 key and swipe to the degree symbol. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app — most show the symbol when you hold 0, but some require you to access a symbols menu. On both, the easiest method is to search for "degree symbol" online, copy it, and paste it into your message or document.
What if I need to type many degree symbols in a row?
Set up autocorrect or text replacement so you can type a short code like "deg" instead of the full shortcut each time. This is fastest if your program supports it. Otherwise, copy the symbol once, then paste it repeatedly — pasting is usually faster than typing a long keyboard shortcut multiple times.
Does the degree symbol work in all programs?
Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that every program can display. The keyboard shortcut to insert it is handled by your operating system, not the program, so if the shortcut works on your computer, it works everywhere. If a program will not accept the symbol, the program itself has a problem, not your keyboard.
Is there a difference between the degree symbol and the superscript zero?
Yes. The degree symbol (°) is a single character. A superscript zero is the number 0 formatted smaller and raised. They look similar but are not the same. Use the degree symbol for temperatures and angles. Use superscript for footnotes and mathematical notation. The keyboard shortcut inserts the true degree symbol, not a formatted zero.
Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol in Windows?
Not system-wide without third-party software. Windows autocorrect only works in Microsoft Office. If you use other programs, use the Alt code, Character Map, or copy-paste instead. Some third-party tools like AutoHotkey let you create custom shortcuts, but they require setup and are not built into Windows.