The fastest way to type a degree symbol

The degree symbol (°) appears in Microsoft Word through three main routes: the keyboard shortcut, the Insert menu, or copy-paste. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. Both work in any version of Word from the last ten years.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops — the Insert menu route works on any machine. Click Insert at the top, then Symbol, scroll to find the degree symbol, and click Insert. It takes longer the first time but becomes muscle memory quickly.

The keyboard shortcut is fastest once you know it, which is why it appears first. But if you forget the numbers, the Insert menu always works.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, Alt+0176 (using the numeric keypad) types the degree symbol instantly in any Word document.
  • On Mac, Shift+Option+8 produces the degree symbol without needing a numeric keypad.
  • The Insert menu route — Insert > Symbol — works on any computer and requires no keyboard memorization.
  • Once you type the symbol once using any method, you can copy it and paste it again rather than repeating the steps.

Windows keyboard shortcut: Alt codes

The numeric keypad is the row of number keys on the right side of most desktop keyboards, separate from the main typing area. On a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, you may have a secondary keypad hidden in the letter keys — usually marked with small numbers printed on the right side of letters like U, I, O, P, J, K, L.

To use the hidden keypad on a laptop, press Num Lock (often labeled Fn+Num Lock or Fn+Scr Lk depending on your model). The keys will then act as numbers. Type Alt+0176 as normal, then press Num Lock again to return to letters.

If your laptop has no numeric keypad at all — some ultrabooks and Chromebooks do not — skip this method and use the Insert menu instead. Trying to type numbers from the main keyboard while holding Alt will not work.

Mac keyboard shortcut: Option key

On a Mac, hold down Shift and Option at the same time, then press the number 8 on the main keyboard. Release all three keys. The degree symbol appears instantly.

This works on any Mac keyboard, including laptops, because Macs do not use numeric keypads for special characters. The Option key (sometimes labeled Alt on older keyboards) is the modifier that unlocks hidden symbols on the main number row.

Using the Insert menu when you do not know the shortcut

Open your Word document and click the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon. In Word 2016 and later, you will see a Symbol button on the right side of the ribbon. Click it.

A dropdown menu appears. Click More Symbols at the bottom. A larger window opens showing hundreds of special characters. The degree symbol is usually visible near the top, but if not, type 00B0 in the search box at the bottom left (this is the Unicode number for the degree symbol). Click the degree symbol when you find it, then click Insert.

In older versions of Word (2010 and earlier), the Symbol button may be in a different location, but the process is the same: Insert menu, then Symbol, then search or scroll.

Copy and paste the symbol for repeated use

Once you have typed or inserted the degree symbol once, you can copy it and paste it as many times as you need. Highlight the symbol with your mouse, press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac), then click where you want it and press Ctrl+V or Command+V.

This is useful if you are writing a document with many temperatures or angle measurements. Type the symbol once, copy it, and paste it each time you need it. It is faster than repeating the keyboard shortcut or menu steps.

Why the degree symbol is not on your keyboard

The degree symbol is not printed on any standard keyboard key because it is used less often than letters and numbers. Keyboards have a limited number of keys, so manufacturers reserve the printed symbols for the most common characters. Special symbols like degree, copyright (©), and trademark (™) are accessed through modifier keys or menus instead.

This is why every operating system has a different way to type the same symbol — Windows uses Alt codes, Mac uses Option, and Linux uses Compose keys. The symbol itself is identical; only the path to it changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol work the same way in Google Docs or other programs?

The keyboard shortcuts work in most programs on your computer, including Google Docs, email, and web browsers. The Insert menu method is specific to Microsoft Word. If a shortcut does not work in another program, try the copy-paste method: copy the degree symbol from Word and paste it where you need it.

What if Alt+0176 does not work on my Windows computer?

Make sure Num Lock is on — the light on your numeric keypad should be lit. If it is on and the shortcut still does not work, your keyboard may not support Alt codes. Use the Insert menu method instead, which works on any Windows computer.

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

Yes. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Click the AutoCorrect tab, type a shortcut you will remember (like :deg) in the Replace field, type the degree symbol in the With field, and click Add. Now typing :deg followed by a space will automatically insert the degree symbol.

Is there a difference between the degree symbol and the ring above character?

Yes. The degree symbol (°) is a small circle used for temperature and angles. The ring above (˚) is a diacritical mark used in some languages. In Word, they are different characters. Use the Insert menu and search for "degree" to make sure you get the right one.