The fastest way: Alt code on Windows

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt. The degree symbol (°) appears when ready. This works in Word and almost everywhere else on your computer.

The numeric keypad is the separate set of number keys on the right side of most keyboards. If your keyboard has no separate keypad—common on laptops—you may need to enable Num Lock first, usually by pressing Fn + Num Lock or a key marked with a lock icon. Some laptops require you to hold Fn while typing the Alt code.

If the Alt code does not work, your keyboard layout or language setting may be different. Windows keyboard layouts outside the United States sometimes use different codes. Check your system language in Settings > Time & Language > Language if you are outside the US.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type Alt + 0176 on the numeric keypad to insert a degree symbol when ready.
  • Mac users should press Option + Shift + 8 to type the degree symbol in any process.
  • Word's Insert menu offers a Symbol dialog where you can search for the degree symbol by name and insert it without memorizing codes.
  • You can create a keyboard shortcut in Word to type the degree symbol with any key combination you choose.
  • Once you insert a degree symbol, you can copy it and paste it anywhere else in your document or other programs.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Option + Shift + 8 to type the degree symbol. This combination works in Word, email, web browsers, and most other Mac applications. Unlike Windows Alt codes, this shortcut is consistent across all US English Mac keyboards.

If you use a non-US keyboard layout on Mac, the shortcut may differ. Check Apple's keyboard viewer by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources, enabling "Show Input Menu in Menu Bar," then clicking the flag icon in the top menu bar and selecting "Keyboard Viewer" to see what each key produces.

Using Word's Symbol dialog

Open Word and place your cursor where you want the degree symbol. Go to the Insert tab at the top, then click Symbol (on the far right of the ribbon). A dropdown menu appears. Click More Symbols at the bottom.

The Symbol dialog opens. In the search box at the bottom, type degree and press Enter. The degree symbol appears in the list. Click it once to select it, then click Insert. Close the dialog when you are done.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but requires no memorization. It also shows you the symbol before you insert it, which is useful if you are unsure what you are looking for.

Creating a custom keyboard shortcut in Word

If you type the degree symbol often, you can assign it to any key combination you prefer. Open the Symbol dialog again (Insert > Symbol > More Symbols), select the degree symbol, and look for a button labeled Shortcut Key near the bottom of the dialog.

Click Shortcut Key. A small dialog appears asking you to press the key combination you want to use. Type the combination—for example, Ctrl + Alt + D—and click Assign. Word confirms the shortcut is now active. From that point forward, you can type that combination in any Word document to insert the degree symbol.

Custom shortcuts in Word explore only to Word, not to other programs. If you need the symbol in email or web forms, use the system-wide Alt code (Windows) or Option + Shift + 8 (Mac) instead.

Copy and paste from a reference

The simplest method if you only need the symbol once: type it once using any method above, then copy it (Ctrl + C on Windows, Command + C on Mac). Paste it (Ctrl + V or Command + V) wherever else you need it in your document or in other programs.

You can also keep a text file or a note on your computer with the degree symbol saved in it. Open that file, copy the symbol, and paste it where you need it. This avoids having to remember a code or navigate a menu.

Why the degree symbol matters in your workflow

Using the correct degree symbol (°) instead of a superscript o or the letter O keeps your documents looking professional and ensures the symbol displays correctly if someone opens your file on a different computer or prints it. It also matters for technical writing, scientific documents, and any text where temperature, angles, or coordinates appear.

Once you pick a method that fits how you work—whether that is a keyboard shortcut, the Symbol dialog, or copy-paste—stick with it. The goal is to stop thinking about how to type it and focus on what you are writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Laptops often lack a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock (usually Fn + Num Lock) first, then hold Alt and type 0176 using the number keys that have Num Lock enabled (often the right side of the keyboard marked with small numbers). If that fails, use the Symbol dialog instead.

Can I use the degree symbol in a Google Doc or web form?

Yes. The Alt code (Windows) and Option + Shift + 8 (Mac) work in Google Docs, Gmail, and most web forms. If neither works, use the Symbol dialog in Word, copy the symbol, and paste it into the web form.

What is the difference between the degree symbol and a superscript zero?

The degree symbol (°) is a distinct character designed to sit next to numbers. A superscript zero (⁰) is a smaller version of the number 0 raised above the line. They look similar but are different characters. Use the degree symbol for temperatures and angles.

Does the keyboard shortcut work in other Microsoft programs?

The Alt code (Windows) and Option + Shift + 8 (Mac) work in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Custom shortcuts you create in Word explore only to Word unless you set them up separately in each program.

Can I search for the degree symbol in the Symbol dialog if I do not know its name?

Yes. In the Symbol dialog, you can scroll through the list or type degree in the search box. You can also search by the Unicode number U+00B0 if you know it. The search box accepts partial matches, so typing deg will find it.