The fastest way depends on your device

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 or you find these shortcuts difficult to remember, every operating system also lets you copy and paste the symbol (°) from a web search or character map. This works everywhere and requires no memorization.

Mobile phones have their own method: on iPhone, long-press the 0 key in the number pad and select the degree symbol. On Android, long-press 0 or access your keyboard's symbol menu and search for "degree".

Key Takeaways

  • Windows uses Alt + 0176 on the numeric keypad; Mac uses Shift + Option + 8; Linux and Chromebook use Ctrl + Shift + U followed by 00b0 and Space.
  • If you do not have a numeric keypad or prefer not to use keyboard codes, copying and pasting the degree symbol from any source works on every device.
  • On iPhone, long-press the 0 key in the number pad to find the degree symbol; on Android, long-press 0 or open your keyboard's symbol menu.
  • The degree symbol is Unicode character U+00B0 and can be found in any character map or symbol picker built into your operating system.

Windows keyboard shortcut with numeric keypad

Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard. While holding Alt, type 0176 using only the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard — the numbers above the letters will not work. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

This method requires a full-size keyboard with a separate numeric keypad. Laptops and compact keyboards often lack this keypad. If your keyboard has Num Lock, make sure it is turned on before you try this method; the Num Lock light should be lit.

Mac keyboard shortcut

Press Shift + Option + 8 at the same time. All three keys must be held together. Release them, and the degree symbol appears immediately.

This shortcut works on all Mac keyboards, including laptop keyboards, because Mac does not rely on a numeric keypad for this symbol. The Option key is also labeled Alt on some Mac keyboards.

Linux and Chromebook keyboard shortcut

Hold Ctrl + Shift + U together. While holding these three keys, type 00b0 (the letter b followed by zero). Release the keys or press Space or Enter, and the degree symbol appears.

This method works in most Linux distributions and on Chromebooks. Some applications may require you to press Enter instead of Space to confirm the character. If the symbol does not appear, try pressing Enter.

Copy and paste from a character map

Every operating system includes a built-in character map or symbol picker. On Windows, search for "Character Map" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol in the list, click it, then click Copy. On Mac, open the Character Viewer by pressing Control + Command + Space, search for "degree", and double-click the symbol to insert it.

On Linux, open the character map application (often called Gucharmap or similar) and search for degree. On Chromebook, press Ctrl + ; (semicolon) to open the emoji and symbol picker, then search for "degree".

Once you have copied the symbol, you can paste it anywhere using Ctrl + V on Windows and Linux or Command + V on Mac. This method works in any application and requires no memorization of codes.

Mobile phone methods

On iPhone, open any text field and tap the number pad (123). Long-press the 0 key until a menu appears showing the degree symbol and other variants. Tap the degree symbol to insert it.

On Android, the method varies by keyboard. Most Android keyboards show a long-press menu when you hold the 0 key. If that does not work, tap the ?123 button to access the number pad, then look for a symbol or special character menu (often labeled with a smiley face or star icon) and search for "degree".

When you cannot remember the shortcut

The simplest backup method is to search "degree symbol" in your web browser, copy the ° character from the search results, and paste it into your document. This takes 10 seconds and works on every device without needing to remember any codes.

You can also save the degree symbol in a text file or note on your phone for quick access. Many people who type the degree symbol regularly (scientists, engineers, weather reporters) keep it bookmarked or saved in their clipboard for frequent use.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try using the numeric keypad built into your letter keys by pressing Num Lock first, or use the copy-and-paste method instead. Some laptop keyboards require you to hold Fn + Alt while typing the numbers on the letter keys.

Can I make a degree symbol without using keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. Search for "degree symbol" online, copy the ° character, and paste it wherever you need it. You can also open your operating system's character map or symbol picker and insert it directly from there.

Is the degree symbol the same in Celsius and Fahrenheit?

Yes, the same ° symbol is used for both temperature scales. The letter that follows it (C or F) indicates which scale you are using. For angles, the degree symbol stands alone.

What if my keyboard layout is not English?

The Alt + 0176 code works on Windows regardless of keyboard layout, as long as you use the numeric keypad. Mac and Linux shortcuts may differ depending on your language settings. The copy-and-paste method works on any keyboard layout.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

Yes. On Windows, you can use AutoCorrect to replace a short code (like "deg") with the degree symbol. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and create a text replacement. On Linux, this depends on your desktop environment and text editor.