The fastest way to type a degree symbol

In Microsoft Word, hold Ctrl and press Shift and @ at the same time, then release and press the spacebar. This produces the degree symbol (°) on Windows. On Mac, hold Shift and Option and press 8, then release — no spacebar needed.

This keyboard shortcut works in Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 on both Windows and Mac. The symbol appears inline with your text, so you can type "98°F" or "45°C" without breaking your sentence.

If the shortcut does not work, your keyboard layout may be different — some international keyboards place the @ symbol elsewhere. In that case, use one of the methods below instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Ctrl+Shift+@ then press spacebar; Mac users hold Shift+Option+8 with no spacebar needed.
  • The Insert menu method works on any keyboard layout: go to Insert > Symbol, find the degree symbol, and click Insert.
  • You can create a custom keyboard shortcut in Word if you type the degree symbol often in your work.
  • AutoCorrect can replace a text code like "(deg)" with the degree symbol automatically as you type.

Using the Insert menu when the shortcut does not work

Open the Insert tab at the top of Word, then click Symbol on the right side of the ribbon. A dropdown menu appears with recently used symbols. If the degree symbol is not there, click "More Symbols" at the bottom of the dropdown.

The Symbol dialog box opens. In the "Subset" dropdown on the right, select "Latin-1 Supplement." The degree symbol appears in the grid — it looks like a small circle above the baseline. Click it once to select it, then click the Insert button. Close the dialog when you are done.

This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but works the same way on every keyboard layout and every version of Word. You can also copy the symbol from this dialog and paste it wherever you need it.

Setting up AutoCorrect to type the symbol faster

If you type the degree symbol often, you can tell Word to replace a short code with the symbol automatically. Open File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the "Replace" field, type a code like "(deg)" or "deg". In the "With" field, insert the degree symbol using the Insert > Symbol method above, or copy and paste it from somewhere else.

Click Add, then OK. Now whenever you type "(deg)" followed by a space or punctuation, Word replaces it with °. You can use any code you remember — some people use "^o" or "dg" instead. The code disappears and the symbol appears in its place.

This works across all your Word documents and even in other Microsoft Office programs like Excel and Outlook, because AutoCorrect settings are shared across the suite.

Creating a custom keyboard shortcut

Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard Shortcuts: Customize at the bottom left. In the dialog that opens, scroll down the left side to find "Symbol" under the category list. Click it.

In the right panel, find "Degree Sign" in the list. Click it once. In the "Press new shortcut key" field at the bottom, press the key combination you want to use — for example, Ctrl+D or Alt+O. Click Assign, then Close.

Your new shortcut now works in Word only, not in other programs. If you forget the shortcut later, you can always return to this dialog to see what you assigned.

Copying and pasting the symbol from elsewhere

If you have the degree symbol in another document or website, you can copy it and paste it into Word. Select the symbol with your mouse, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), click in your Word document where you want it, and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac).

This is useful if you have already typed the symbol somewhere and need to use it again without remembering the shortcut. You can also keep a text file with the symbol saved on your computer and copy from it whenever you need it.

Why the shortcut might not work

The Ctrl+Shift+@ shortcut assumes your keyboard has the @ symbol on the same key as the number 2. On AZERTY keyboards (used in France and Belgium), Dvorak layouts, or other non-QWERTY keyboards, the @ symbol is in a different location, so the shortcut produces a different character or nothing at all.

If you use a non-QWERTY keyboard, the Insert > Symbol method or AutoCorrect approach will work reliably. You can also look up the correct shortcut for your specific keyboard layout online — most layouts have a degree symbol shortcut, but it varies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the degree symbol in Excel or Outlook?

Yes. The Ctrl+Shift+@ shortcut (Windows) and Shift+Option+8 (Mac) work in Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft Office programs. AutoCorrect shortcuts also work across all Office apps if you set them up in Word.

What if I need the degree symbol in a different program, not Word?

Most programs support Ctrl+Shift+@ on Windows and Shift+Option+8 on Mac. If that does not work, you can copy the symbol from Word and paste it into the other program. Some programs have their own Insert > Symbol menu similar to Word's.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

On iPhone and iPad, hold down the "o" key and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app — most show the symbol if you hold the "o" key, but some require you to switch to a symbols keyboard first.

Why does my degree symbol look different from other people's?

The degree symbol can appear slightly different depending on the font you are using. Some fonts make it larger or smaller, or position it higher or lower. The symbol itself is the same — the visual difference is just the font's design.