The fastest way depends on what you're typing into

The degree symbol (°) has no dedicated key on most keyboards, so you make it using a keyboard shortcut or a menu. The method that works fastest depends on whether you're in Windows, Mac, or a web browser, and what program you're using. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. In most web browsers and Google Docs, you can type the degree symbol directly from the Insert menu without memorizing a code.

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperatures, angles, or coordinates — it's worth learning the shortcut for your system. If you only need it occasionally, the menu method is simpler because you don't have to remember a number sequence.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt.
  • On Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8.
  • In Google Docs, Sheets, or most web browsers, use Insert > Special Characters and search for "degree" instead of memorizing a code.
  • The numeric keypad method only works on Windows if you have a full-size keyboard with a separate number pad; laptops usually require a different approach.
  • If you use the degree symbol often in a specific program, check that program's Insert menu first — many have their own shortcut or symbol library.

Windows: Using the Alt code

On Windows, the most reliable method is the Alt code. Press and hold the Alt key, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the cluster of number keys on the right side of your keyboard). Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

This only works on a full-size keyboard with a separate numeric keypad. If you're on a laptop without a dedicated number pad, you'll need to use the Fn key to activate the number pad overlay — usually the keys marked with small numbers printed on them. Hold Alt and Fn together, then type the numbers on the overlay keys. If that doesn't work, use the Character Map method instead: press Windows key + R, type charmap, and search for "degree" in the window that opens. Double-click the degree symbol, then click Copy and paste it where you need it.

Mac: Using Shift and Option

On Mac, hold Shift and Option (the key also labeled Alt) at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works on any Mac keyboard, including laptop keyboards.

If you find yourself typing the degree symbol often, you can add it to your Mac's text shortcuts so you can type a shorter code instead. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacement, click the plus button, type a short code in the "Replace" field (like "deg"), type ° in the "With" field, and click Add. From then on, typing "deg" and pressing space will expand to the degree symbol automatically.

Google Docs and web browsers

In Google Docs, click Insert in the menu bar, then select Special Characters. A search box opens. Type "degree" and the symbol appears in the results. Click it to insert it into your document. This method works the same way in Google Sheets and Google Slides.

In most other web browsers and online text editors, the Insert menu works similarly. Some sites have a dedicated symbol picker or emoji menu — look for an icon that looks like a smiley face or a grid. If you don't see an Insert menu, try right-clicking in the text box to see if a context menu offers special characters or symbols.

Microsoft Word and Office programs

In Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, click Insert in the menu bar, then select Symbol. A window opens showing available symbols. Scroll to find the degree symbol, or type 00B0 in the "Character code" field at the bottom right to jump directly to it. Click Insert, then Close.

Word also remembers recently used symbols, so if you insert the degree symbol once, it will appear in the recently used section the next time you open the Symbol window. This makes it faster to insert a second time without scrolling.

Copying and pasting from another source

If you need the degree symbol and none of the above methods work in your specific program, the simplest approach is to copy it from somewhere else. Type the degree symbol into a search engine, select it from the results, copy it (Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac), and paste it (Ctrl+V or Command+V) wherever you need it.

You can also keep a text file on your computer with symbols you use regularly — degree, copyright, trademark, arrows, and so on — and copy from that file when you need them. This is faster than searching each time, especially if you work with symbols frequently.

Why the degree symbol doesn't have its own key

The degree symbol is used in specific contexts — temperature, angles, geographic coordinates, and a few other technical fields — but not frequently enough to justify a dedicated key on a standard keyboard. Keyboards are designed around the most common characters in English text, and the degree symbol falls outside that set. Other less common symbols (copyright, registered trademark, currency symbols) follow the same pattern.

This is why the symbol lives in menus and behind keyboard codes rather than on the keyboard itself. Once you pick a method that works for your setup, it becomes automatic, and you'll rarely think about it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Alt+0176 work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop likely doesn't have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try holding Alt and Fn together while typing the numbers on the keys marked with small numbers (usually the right side of your keyboard). If that doesn't work, use Character Map instead: press Windows key + R, type charmap, search for "degree", and copy it.

Can I make a degree symbol on my phone or tablet?

On most phones, hold down the 0 (zero) key in the number row, and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On iPad, the process is similar — hold the 0 key. In some apps, you can also access symbols through an emoji or special characters menu.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol without memorizing a code?

Yes. Use the Insert > Special Characters menu in Google Docs, Word, or your web browser. You can also copy the symbol from a search result and paste it, or create a text shortcut on Mac that expands a short code into the symbol automatically.

What's the difference between the degree symbol and the superscript zero?

The degree symbol (°) is a distinct character designed for temperature and angles. A superscript zero is just a regular 0 made smaller and raised. They look similar but are technically different. Use the degree symbol for temperatures and angles; use superscript for mathematical notation like exponents.