The fastest way to add a degree symbol

The simplest method is to hold Alt and type 0176 on your numeric keypad, then release Alt. The degree symbol (°) will appear where your cursor was. This works in Word on Windows machines with a numeric keypad — the numbers along the right side of your keyboard, not the row across the top.

If you do not have a numeric keypad, or if you are on a Mac, this method will not work. The next sections cover alternatives that work on any machine.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows with a numeric keypad, Alt+0176 is the fastest way to insert a degree symbol.
  • Word's Insert menu lets you search for the degree symbol by name, which works on any computer.
  • You can create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol so you never have to hunt for it again.
  • AutoCorrect can replace a text shortcut like "(deg)" with the degree symbol automatically as you type.
  • On a Mac, Option+Shift+8 produces the degree symbol without opening any menus.

Using Word's Insert menu to find the symbol

Open 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 titled "Symbol" opens. In the search field at the bottom, type degree. The degree symbol appears in the list above. Click it once to select it, then click the Insert button. Close the dialog when you are done.

This method takes longer than the Alt code, but it works on Windows, Mac, and any computer where you are not sure which keys do what. Once you find the symbol this way, you can set up a faster method for next time.

Creating a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol

If you type the degree symbol often, you can assign it a custom keyboard shortcut. Open Insert > Symbol > More Symbols again. Select the degree symbol in the list, then look for a button labeled Shortcut Key near the bottom of the dialog.

Click that button. A new dialog appears asking you to press the keys you want to use. Try something short and memorable that you do not already use — for example, Ctrl+Alt+D. Type it, then click Assign. Word confirms the shortcut is now active.

From that moment on, pressing your chosen shortcut in any Word document will insert the degree symbol when ready. The shortcut stays active until you change it or uninstall Word.

Using AutoCorrect to type the symbol faster

AutoCorrect lets you type a straightforward text shortcut that Word automatically replaces with the degree symbol. Open File > Options, then click Proofing on the left side. Click AutoCorrect Options.

In the AutoCorrect dialog, find the field labeled Replace and type a shortcut you will remember — for example, (deg) or deg:. In the field labeled With, insert the degree symbol. You can copy and paste it from somewhere you have already typed it, or use Insert > Symbol to place it there.

Click Add, then OK. Now whenever you type your shortcut followed by a space or punctuation, Word replaces it with the degree symbol. This method is useful if you type the symbol in regular text rather than in formulas or technical writing.

The degree symbol on a Mac

On a Mac keyboard, hold Option and Shift together, then press 8. The degree symbol appears. This is faster than the Windows Alt code and works on any Mac without a numeric keypad.

If you forget the shortcut, you can still use Insert > Symbol > More Symbols and search for "degree" the same way as on Windows. Mac users can also create custom keyboard shortcuts and AutoCorrect entries using the same steps described above.

When to use each method

Use the Alt code (Windows) or Option+Shift+8 (Mac) if you type the degree symbol occasionally and want the fastest result. These shortcuts require no menu navigation and work when ready once you remember them.

Use the Insert menu if you are not sure where the symbol is or if you are on an unfamiliar computer. It takes a few extra clicks, but it is reliable and works everywhere.

Use a custom keyboard shortcut if you type the degree symbol several times per document. The initial setup takes two minutes, and then you save time on every use afterward.

Use AutoCorrect if you type the symbol in regular sentences and want it to feel natural — typing "(deg) " and having it convert automatically feels less disruptive than pressing Ctrl+Alt+D in the middle of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt+0176 not work on my Windows computer?

You are probably using the number row at the top of the keyboard instead of the numeric keypad on the right. The Alt code only works with the numeric keypad. If your keyboard does not have one, use the Insert menu method or create a custom shortcut instead.

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

Yes. Insert it the same way you would in regular text. If you are using Word's equation editor, you may need to use Insert > Symbol within the equation box rather than outside it, depending on what you are building.

Will my custom keyboard shortcut work in other Microsoft programs?

Custom shortcuts created in Word's Symbol dialog work in Word only. If you want the same shortcut in Excel or PowerPoint, you will need to set it up separately in each program using the same steps.

What if I need a degree symbol but I am using an older version of Word?

The Insert > Symbol menu exists in all recent versions of Word. The Alt code method works the same way. AutoCorrect and custom shortcuts may be in slightly different locations depending on your version, but the process is the same.