The fastest way depends on your device

The degree symbol (°) appears on every keyboard, but the path to it changes depending whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift and type U, then 00B0, then Space. None of these require installing anything or switching to a special keyboard layout.

If you do not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers a second route: the Character Map application. Linux users can also open their system's character viewer. These graphical tools let you search for the degree symbol and copy it to paste anywhere. The keyboard shortcuts are faster once you memorize them, but the character map works when you cannot remember the code.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to produce the degree symbol on any Mac keyboard.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift, type U00B0, then press Space to insert the degree symbol.
  • Laptops without numeric keypads can use Character Map on Windows or the character viewer on Mac and Linux instead of memorizing codes.

Windows: Alt code method

The numeric keypad is the fastest route on Windows. Make sure Num Lock is on — the light on your keyboard should be lit. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of your keyboard, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the cluster of numbers on the right). Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

The leading zero matters. Typing 176 without the zero will not work. If you are on a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, you may have a secondary number pad accessed by holding Fn while using the number row, but this method is unreliable. The Character Map approach below works better for laptops.

Windows: Character Map for laptops

Open the Start menu and search for "Character Map". The application opens a grid of every symbol your system can produce. In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and the symbol appears highlighted. Double-click it to add it to the "Characters to copy" field, then click Copy.

Switch to the document or text field where you need the symbol and paste it with Ctrl + V. This method is slower than the Alt code, but it works on any Windows machine regardless of keyboard layout. You can also browse the grid manually if searching does not find it — the degree symbol sits in the Latin-1 Supplement section.

Mac: Keyboard shortcut

On any Mac keyboard, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol. This works in every application — email, web browsers, word processors, text editors. The Option key is the one marked "alt" on most Mac keyboards, located between Control and Command.

If you type this combination and nothing appears, check that you are holding all three keys at once. A common mistake is releasing one key too early. Once you use it a few times, the combination becomes automatic. There is no alternative method needed on Mac — this shortcut works everywhere.

Linux: Compose key and Unicode input

Linux systems typically use Unicode input for special characters. Hold Ctrl + Shift, type the letter U, then type 00B0 (the Unicode code point for degree), then press Space. The symbol appears in place of what you typed.

Some Linux distributions also support a Compose key, which varies by system. Check your keyboard settings to see if one is configured. If you find it, you can often press Compose followed by o and o (the letter o twice) to produce the degree symbol, though this varies by distribution. The Ctrl + Shift + U method works on nearly all Linux systems.

Copying from the web

If you cannot remember the keyboard shortcut and the character map is not available, you can search online for "degree symbol", find one in the results, and copy it directly. This is slower than using built-in tools, but it works when you are stuck. Paste it into your document, then you can copy it again from there the next time you need it.

Many websites that deal with measurements, temperatures, or angles keep the degree symbol in their text. A quick search usually surfaces a page where you can grab one. This method is a last resort, but it requires no memorization and works on any device with a web browser.

When you type temperature or angle measurements

The degree symbol is most common in temperature readings (72°F or 25°C) and angle measurements (90°). In formal writing, the symbol should sit directly after the number with no space. Some style guides prefer a space between the number and the F or C that follows, though this varies.

If you type these measurements often, consider setting up a text expansion shortcut on your system. Windows has AutoCorrect in Microsoft Office, Mac has Text Replacements in System Settings, and Linux users can configure their input method. You could set it so typing "deg" automatically expands to "°", saving you from the keyboard shortcut every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try using Character Map instead: search for it in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, and copy it. Some laptops let you access a secondary number pad by holding Fn, but this is unreliable for Alt codes.

Is there a degree symbol on the regular number row?

No. The degree symbol does not appear on any key in the standard number row (1–0) on any keyboard layout. You must use a keyboard shortcut, Character Map, or copy it from elsewhere. There is no Shift or Alt Gr combination that produces it from the number row.

Can I set up a keyboard shortcut to type the degree symbol faster?

Yes. On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements and create a new entry where the shortcut (like "deg") expands to "°". Windows users can do this in Microsoft Office through AutoCorrect options, or use third-party tools like AutoHotkey. Linux varies by distribution but often supports text expansion through the input method settings.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that works in email, web browsers, word processors, text editors, spreadsheets, and nearly every other application. If it does not appear, the program may have a display issue, but the symbol itself is universally supported.

What is the difference between the degree symbol and the circle character?

The degree symbol (°) is smaller and sits higher than a regular circle (o). They are different characters with different Unicode codes. The degree symbol is specifically designed for temperatures and angles. If you need a circle for another purpose, search for "ring above" or "combining ring above" in Character Map.