The fastest way depends on your operating system

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter. On Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map application to find and copy the degree symbol, or switch to the on-screen keyboard. The methods above work on external keyboards connected to any device.

The degree symbol (°) appears in temperature readings, angles, and geographic coordinates. Once you know the shortcut for your device, it takes one or two seconds to type.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users without a numeric keypad can open Character Map, search for "degree", and copy the symbol to paste anywhere.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 every time — there is no Character Map equivalent on macOS.
  • Linux and Chromebook users type Ctrl + Shift + U followed by 00b0 and Space, which works in most text fields.
  • If a shortcut does not work in a specific program, that program may not support Unicode input — try copying and pasting the symbol instead.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, this is the simplest method. Hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears immediately.

Make sure Num Lock is on — most keyboards have a light that shows this. If the numbers do not appear when you type, press Num Lock once and try again. This method works in almost every Windows program: email, word processors, browsers, and spreadsheets.

Windows: Without a numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often lack a numeric keypad. Open the Character Map application by pressing the Windows key, typing "character map", and pressing Enter. In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the symbol appears in the results.

Click the degree symbol, then click Copy. Switch to the document or text field where you need it and press Ctrl + V to paste. You can also click the symbol and select "Copy" from the right-click menu if the button is not visible.

Alternatively, use the on-screen keyboard: press Windows + Ctrl + O to open it, click the degree symbol from the symbols view, and it types directly into your active window. This method is slower but requires no memorization.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut

Press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol. This works in any text field — email, documents, browsers, and messaging apps. The symbol appears instantly without any additional steps.

If the shortcut does not work, check that you are pressing Option (also labeled Alt on some keyboards) and not Command. The three keys must be pressed together: Shift, Option, and 8 simultaneously. Release all three at once.

Linux and Chromebook: Unicode input

Hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The symbol appears and replaces the code you typed. This method works in most text editors, browsers, and email clients on Linux.

On Chromebook, the process is identical. If it does not work in a specific program, that application may not support Unicode input — try copying the symbol from another source and pasting it instead. Some older or specialized programs do not recognize this input method.

Copying and pasting as a backup

If keyboard shortcuts fail in a particular program, copy the degree symbol from anywhere it already exists and paste it where you need it. You can copy it from a web search result, a previous document, or even from this page.

Open a new browser tab, search for "degree symbol", right-click the symbol in the results, select Copy, then switch back to your document and paste with Ctrl + V (Windows/Linux/Chromebook) or Command + V (Mac). This method works in any program that supports pasting, even if it does not recognize keyboard shortcuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your keyboard likely does not have a numeric keypad. Laptops use the number row at the top instead, which does not work with Alt codes. Use Character Map instead: press Windows key, type "character map", find the degree symbol, and copy it to paste into your document.

Does the degree symbol shortcut work in all programs?

It works in most programs, but some older or specialized software may not recognize it. If a shortcut fails, try copying the symbol from a web search and pasting it instead. Text editors, email, and browsers almost always support the shortcuts listed above.

Can I create a custom keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Windows, you can use AutoHotkey to map a custom shortcut, but this requires downloading and configuring software. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and create a text replacement that converts a short phrase into the degree symbol. Most users find the built-in shortcuts faster than setting this up.

What if I need to type the degree symbol frequently?

Create a text replacement in your operating system's settings. On Mac, type a short code like "deg" and have it auto-replace with °. On Windows, use AutoHotkey or a third-party tool. Alternatively, copy the symbol once and keep it in a notes app to paste whenever needed.