The fastest way to insert a degree symbol

The quickest method in Microsoft Word is to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + 8 on Windows, or Shift + Option + 8 on Mac. Type this combination and a degree symbol (°) appears when ready where your cursor sits. This works in any version of Word from the last ten years.

If that shortcut does not work on your keyboard — some international layouts or laptop keyboards reassign these keys — Word has a built-in symbol menu that always works. You can also type the symbol using a numeric code, which some people find easier to remember once they know it.

Key Takeaways

  • The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + 8 (Windows) or Shift + Option + 8 (Mac) inserts a degree symbol when ready without opening any menu.
  • If your keyboard does not support that shortcut, use the Insert menu to open the Symbol dialog and select the degree symbol from the list.
  • You can type the numeric code 00B0 and then press Alt + X to convert it to a degree symbol on Windows.
  • Once you insert a degree symbol, you can copy it and paste it elsewhere in your document rather than repeating the steps each time.

Using the Insert menu when shortcuts do not work

Open the Insert tab at the top of Word. On the right side of the ribbon, you will see a button labeled Symbol — click it. A small menu appears with a few common symbols. If you do not see the degree symbol there, click More Symbols at the bottom of that menu.

The Symbol dialog box opens. In the upper left, there is a dropdown that says Font. Leave it set to whatever font you are using. Below that, look for the Subset dropdown and select Latin-1 Supplement. The degree symbol appears in the grid — it looks like a small circle. Click it once to highlight it, then click the Insert button. The symbol appears in your document at the cursor position.

Close the Symbol dialog by clicking the X button in the top right corner. You can now continue typing. If you need the degree symbol again in the same document, you do not have to repeat these steps — just copy the symbol you already inserted and paste it where you need it.

The numeric code method for Windows

If you use Windows and prefer typing to clicking, you can enter the degree symbol using a numeric code. Type 00B0 (that is zero, zero, B, zero) at the spot where you want the symbol. Do not press Enter or Space after typing it.

While the cursor is still right after the B0, hold down Alt and press X. The four characters convert when ready into a single degree symbol. This method works in Word and most other Windows programs. The code 00B0 is the Unicode value for the degree symbol, and Alt + X tells Word to convert Unicode codes to their symbols.

If you find yourself using the degree symbol often — for temperature readings, angles, or coordinates — this method becomes faster than any menu. You type the code and press two keys, and you are done.

Where the degree symbol appears in your document

The degree symbol always inserts exactly where your cursor is blinking. If you want it right after a number with no space, click right after the number before inserting the symbol. If you want a space between the number and the symbol, type the number, press Space, and then insert the symbol.

For example, to write "98 degrees," you would type 98, press Space, insert the degree symbol, and then type the word "degrees" or "F" or "C" depending on what you need. The symbol itself takes up about as much space as a regular letter, so it flows naturally into your text.

Copying and pasting the symbol to save time

Once you have inserted the degree symbol anywhere in your document, you can reuse it without repeating the steps. Click right on the symbol to position your cursor next to it, then select it by holding Shift and pressing the right arrow key once, or by double-clicking it. The symbol highlights.

Press Ctrl + C to copy it. Now whenever you need the symbol again, click where you want it and press Ctrl + V to paste. This is often faster than using the keyboard shortcut or the menu, especially if you need the symbol many times in one document.

Troubleshooting when the shortcut does not work

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + 8 fails on some computers because the keyboard layout is set to a language other than English, or because a laptop keyboard has reassigned those keys. If the shortcut produces a different character or nothing at all, switch to the Insert menu method instead — it works on every keyboard.

If you are using an older version of Word (2007 or earlier), the keyboard shortcut may not work. Use the Insert menu and Symbol dialog instead. If the Symbol dialog does not show the degree symbol in the Latin-1 Supplement subset, try the Letterlike Symbols subset instead, though it is usually in Latin-1.

On a Mac, if Shift + Option + 8 does not work, check that you are holding the keys in the right order — Shift first, then Option, then 8. If it still does not work, use the Insert menu method, which is identical on Mac and Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up Word to insert the degree symbol with a single key?

Word does not have a built-in way to assign a single key to the degree symbol, but you can use AutoCorrect to create a shortcut. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the Replace field, type something like :deg, and in the With field, paste a degree symbol. Now whenever you type :deg and press Space, Word replaces it with the symbol.

Does the degree symbol work in all fonts?

The degree symbol appears in nearly every font, including all the standard fonts that come with Word. If you switch fonts and the symbol disappears or looks wrong, it is usually because that particular font does not include the symbol. Switch back to a common font like Calibri or Times New Roman, and the symbol reappears.

What if I need a different symbol that looks similar?

The degree symbol (°) is different from the superscript zero (⁰) and the ring above accent (˚). If you need one of those instead, open the Symbol dialog and look in different subsets. The superscript zero is in the Latin Extended-B subset, and the ring above is in the Combining Diacritical Marks subset.

Will the degree symbol print correctly?

Yes. The degree symbol prints the same way it appears on screen in Word. It will also display correctly if someone opens your document on a different computer, because the symbol is a standard character that all computers recognize.