The fastest way to type °

The degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut or your operating system's built-in character menu. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, then type 00B0 and press Space or Enter.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map application or type it directly in most programs by copying and pasting from this page. The method you choose depends on what device you are using and whether you type the degree symbol often.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to produce the degree symbol.
  • Laptop users without a numeric keypad can use Windows Character Map or copy and paste the symbol from another source.
  • The degree symbol works in email, documents, spreadsheets, and web forms on all operating systems.

Windows: Using Alt codes on a numeric keypad

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, this is the fastest method. Hold down the Alt key, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad — not the numbers across the top of your keyboard. The degree symbol will appear when you release Alt. This works in Word, email, web browsers, and most other programs.

Make sure Num Lock is turned on before you try this. Look for the Num Lock key, usually in the upper left of the numeric keypad. A light on your keyboard or screen will indicate whether Num Lock is active. If you press Alt and the numbers do not produce a symbol, Num Lock is probably off.

The Alt code method works because Windows interprets the number sequence as a Unicode character. The code 0176 specifically means "degree symbol." Different codes produce different symbols — for example, Alt 0169 produces the copyright symbol (©).

Windows: Using Character Map if you have no numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad, making Alt codes impossible. Instead, use Character Map, a built-in Windows tool that displays every symbol your computer can produce. Press the Windows key, type "character map," and open the application.

In the Character Map window, scroll down or use the search box to find the degree symbol. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. The symbol is now in your clipboard. Switch to the program where you need it — an email, document, or web form — and paste it using Ctrl+V.

Character Map is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it works on any Windows computer regardless of keyboard type. You can also use this method to find and copy other symbols you type regularly, like the copyright symbol, trademark symbol, or mathematical signs.

Mac: Using Shift, Option, and 8

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys and the degree symbol appears. This shortcut works on all Mac keyboards, including laptops, because Macs do not use numeric keypads for special characters.

The combination Shift+Option+8 is a single action — you hold Shift and Option together, press 8 while holding both, then release. If you press them in the wrong order or release too early, the symbol will not appear. Practice the timing once or twice and it becomes automatic.

This shortcut works in Mail, Pages, Numbers, web browsers, and any other Mac program that accepts text input. If the degree symbol does not appear, check that you are holding Shift and Option simultaneously and that you pressed 8, not the number row.

Linux: Using Ctrl+Shift+U and Unicode input

Linux systems use Unicode input, which requires you to type a code rather than a single key combination. Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type U. Release the keys and type 00B0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol). Press Space or Enter and the symbol appears.

The full sequence is: Ctrl+Shift+U, release, type 00B0, then press Space. The symbol will replace the code you typed. This method works in most Linux text editors, email clients, and web browsers, though some older applications may not support Unicode input.

If Unicode input does not work in your Linux distribution, check your input method settings. Some systems require you to enable Unicode input in the keyboard preferences before the Ctrl+Shift+U shortcut will function.

Copy and paste: The universal method

The simplest method that works on any device and any operating system is to copy the degree symbol from somewhere else and paste it where you need it. You can copy it from this page, from a search result, or from any document that already contains it. Select the symbol, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), then press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac) in the program where you need it.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it requires no memorization and works everywhere. If you type the degree symbol frequently, it is worth learning the keyboard shortcut for your operating system. If you type it rarely, copying and pasting is often faster than looking up the shortcut.

Where the degree symbol appears in real use

The degree symbol is most common in temperature measurements (72°F or 25°C), geographic coordinates (40°N, 74°W), and angles in geometry or engineering (a 90° angle). You may also see it in academic or scientific writing, in weather reports, or in navigation applications.

Most programs recognize the degree symbol without any special formatting. It displays correctly in email, on websites, in text messages, and in documents. If you are copying text from one program to another and the symbol disappears, the receiving program may not support it — try pasting as plain text instead of formatted text, or use the Character Map method to insert it directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the degree symbol not on my keyboard?

The degree symbol is rarely used compared to letters and numbers, so keyboard manufacturers do not give it a dedicated key. Instead, operating systems provide shortcuts or menus to access it. This is true for hundreds of other symbols as well — your keyboard can produce far more characters than it has physical keys.

Does the Alt code method work on a laptop?

Not if your laptop lacks a numeric keypad. Most modern laptops omit the numeric keypad to save space. If your laptop keyboard has a numeric keypad (usually on the right side), the Alt code method will work. Otherwise, use Character Map on Windows or copy and paste the symbol.

Will the degree symbol work in email and text messages?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that works in email, text messages, web forms, and social media. It may display slightly differently depending on the font or device, but it will appear correctly on the recipient's end.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Mac, you can add a custom keyboard shortcut in System Preferences under Keyboard > Text. On Windows, third-party programs like AutoHotkey allow you to create custom shortcuts, though this requires some setup. For most users, the built-in shortcuts are faster to learn than setting up a custom one.

What if the Alt code does not work on Windows?

First, check that Num Lock is on. Second, make sure you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top. Third, try using Character Map instead. If none of these work, your keyboard or program may not support Alt codes — copy and paste is your most reliable option.