The fastest way: the keyboard shortcut

On Windows, hold Ctrl + Shift and press the plus sign on your numeric keypad, then release and press the spacebar. This produces the degree symbol (°) without opening any menus. It works in any Word document.

On Mac, hold Shift + Option and press the number 8 key. Release both keys and the degree symbol appears. This is the quickest method if you type degrees often — temperature readings, angles, coordinates, or academic credentials.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, or if you find the shortcut hard to remember, the other methods below are just as fast once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol with Ctrl + Shift + plus sign (numeric keypad), then spacebar.
  • Mac users hold Shift + Option and press 8 to insert the degree symbol.
  • The Insert menu offers a Symbol dialog where you can search for the degree symbol by name and insert it with one click.
  • You can create an AutoCorrect entry so that typing a shorthand like "(deg)" automatically becomes the degree symbol.
  • Once you have typed the symbol once, you can copy it and paste it as many times as you need in the same document.

Using the Insert menu when you do not remember the shortcut

Click the Insert tab at the top of Word. In the ribbon, find the Symbol button — it usually sits on the right side of the toolbar and looks like the Greek letter Omega (Ω). Click the dropdown arrow next to it.

A small menu appears. If the degree symbol is shown in the recent symbols list, click it and it inserts into your document. If not, click More Symbols to open the full Symbol dialog.

In the dialog box, type "degree" in the search field at the bottom. The degree symbol appears in the results. Click it once to select it, then click the Insert button. Close the dialog and the symbol is now in your document at the cursor position.

Setting up AutoCorrect for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol often, you can teach Word to insert it automatically. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.

In the AutoCorrect dialog, click the AutoCorrect tab. In the Replace field, type a shorthand you will remember — for example, "(deg)" or "degr". In the With field, paste or type the degree symbol (°).

Click Add, then OK. Now whenever you type your shorthand followed by a space, Word replaces it with the degree symbol. This saves time if you write technical documents, lab reports, or anything with many temperature or angle measurements.

Copying and pasting the symbol within the same document

Once you have inserted the degree symbol once, you do not need to repeat the process. Select the symbol by clicking and dragging over it, or by clicking once and pressing Shift + Right Arrow. Press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Command + C (Mac) to copy it.

Move your cursor to each place you need the symbol and press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac) to paste. This is often faster than using the keyboard shortcut or menu if you need the symbol many times in quick succession.

Why the degree symbol matters for readability

Using the actual degree symbol (°) instead of typing the letter O or the number 0 makes your document look professional and is easier to read. A reader sees "98°F" and understands temperature when ready. "98oF" or "98OF" creates confusion and looks like a typo.

The same applies to academic credentials and geographic coordinates. "45°N latitude" is clear; "45oN" is ambiguous. If your work involves any measurement that uses degrees, taking two seconds to insert the correct symbol pays off in clarity.

Troubleshooting when the shortcut does not work

If the keyboard shortcut produces nothing or the wrong character, check that you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top. Laptops sometimes require you to hold an additional key like Fn to set up the numeric keypad.

If the Insert > Symbol menu does not show a Symbol button, you may be using an older version of Word or a different process. In that case, search the menu bar for "Special Characters" or "Insert" and look for a symbols or characters option. The process is similar across versions.

If you have set up AutoCorrect and it is not working, open File > Options > Proofing and check that Replace text as you type is turned on. If it is off, turn it on and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the degree symbol in headers and footers?

Yes. The keyboard shortcut and Insert menu work the same way in headers, footers, and text boxes as they do in the main document. AutoCorrect also works in all of these places once you have set it up.

What if I need the degree symbol in a table cell?

Click inside the table cell where you need the symbol and use any of the methods above — keyboard shortcut, Insert menu, or AutoCorrect. Word treats table cells the same as regular text for symbol insertion.

Does the degree symbol copy correctly when I paste into email or another program?

Usually yes, but it depends on the program. Most modern email clients and web applications support the degree symbol. If you paste and see a question mark or a box instead, the receiving program does not recognize the character. In that case, type the word "degrees" spelled out instead.

Is there a difference between the degree symbol and the superscript zero?

Yes. The degree symbol (°) is a single character designed for measurements. A superscript zero is the number 0 made smaller and raised above the line. They look similar but are not the same. Use the degree symbol for temperatures, angles, and coordinates.

Can I search for the degree symbol in my document?

Yes, but it requires the Find & Replace dialog. Press Ctrl + H (Windows) or Command + Option + F (Mac) to open Find & Replace. Click More Options or Format, then search for the degree symbol by pasting it into the Find field. This is useful if you need to replace all instances at once.