The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard as a dedicated key, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut. The method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and the shortcut is different again if you are using a phone or tablet.

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, type 00b0, and press Enter or Space. Each method produces the same ° symbol.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative route through the Character Map application, which is slower but always works.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad to produce the degree symbol instantly.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol without needing a numeric keypad.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl + Shift, type U00b0, then press Enter or Space to insert the symbol.
  • Laptop users without a numeric keypad can use Windows Character Map or enable Num Lock on the keyboard overlay.
  • On phones and tablets, the degree symbol usually appears in the secondary character menu when you hold down the number 0.

Windows: Using the Alt code on a numeric keypad

The numeric keypad is the block of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. If your keyboard has one, this is the fastest method. Hold down the Alt key on either side of the keyboard, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the numbers across the top), then release Alt. The degree symbol appears instantly where your cursor was.

Make sure Num Lock is on — most keyboards have a light that shows this, usually in the top right of the numeric keypad. If Num Lock is off, the numeric keypad types arrow keys and navigation commands instead of numbers, and the Alt code will not work.

If you type the numbers but nothing happens, you may have used the number row across the top of the keyboard instead of the numeric keypad. The Alt code only works with the dedicated numeric keypad on the right.

Windows: Using Character Map if you don't have a numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often have no numeric keypad. Windows includes a built-in tool called Character Map that lets you find and insert the degree symbol by clicking instead of typing a code.

Press the Windows key, type "Character Map" into the search box, and open the application. In the search field at the bottom, type "degree" and the symbol appears in the list. Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. Go to the document or text field where you need the symbol and paste it using Ctrl + V.

This method is slower than an Alt code but works on any Windows computer regardless of keyboard type. You can also search for "00b0" (the Unicode value) if searching for "degree" returns too many results.

Mac: The Shift + Option + 8 shortcut

Mac keyboards do not have numeric keypads on most models, so Apple uses a different shortcut. Hold Shift and Option (the key labeled Alt on some Mac keyboards) at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys and the degree symbol appears.

This shortcut works on all Mac keyboards and in any application — web browsers, text editors, email, spreadsheets, and word processors. If nothing appears, make sure you are holding Shift and Option together before pressing 8, not one after the other.

If you use this symbol often, you can add it to your Mac's text replacement shortcuts. Go to System Settings, Keyboard, Text Replacement, and create a new entry that replaces a short code (like "deg") with the degree symbol. Then you can type "deg" and your Mac automatically replaces it with °.

Linux: The Ctrl + Shift + U method

Linux systems use Unicode input, which works in most applications including text editors, browsers, and email clients. Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter U (uppercase or lowercase). Type 00b0 (that is zero-zero-b-zero), then press Enter or Space. The degree symbol appears and replaces the code you typed.

This method works on most Linux distributions and desktop environments, though some applications may not support Unicode input. If the symbol does not appear, try pressing Space instead of Enter, or check whether your application has Unicode input enabled in its settings.

An alternative on some Linux systems is to hold Ctrl + Alt and type the number 176 on the numeric keypad, similar to Windows. The Ctrl + Shift + U method is more reliable across different Linux setups.

Phones and tablets: Finding the symbol in the character menu

On iPhones and iPads, open any text field and hold down the 0 (zero) key. A menu appears showing variations of the 0, including the degree symbol. Tap the ° symbol to insert it.

On Android phones, the method varies by keyboard app. Most Android keyboards show additional characters when you hold down a key. Hold the 0 key and look for the degree symbol in the popup menu. If your keyboard does not show it, try holding down other keys like O (the letter) or look in the symbols section of your keyboard.

Some Android keyboards have a dedicated symbols or numbers tab. Tap that tab, find the 0 or look for a section labeled "more symbols," and the degree symbol should be there. If you cannot find it, you can copy and paste the ° symbol from a web search result into your text.

When you need the degree symbol repeatedly

If you type the degree symbol often — for weather, temperatures, angles, or coordinates — storing it as a shortcut saves time. On Windows, you can create a text replacement in many applications: type a short code like "deg" and the program replaces it with °. Word, Google Docs, and Outlook all support this.

On Mac, the text replacement feature in System Settings works across all applications. Set it up once and "deg" becomes ° everywhere you type. On Android, many third-party keyboards like Gboard let you add custom shortcuts in their settings.

Another option is to copy the degree symbol once and keep it in a notes app or document you can quickly access. Paste it whenever you need it instead of typing a code each time. This works on any device and any application.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop keyboard likely does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Use Character Map instead: press Windows key, search "Character Map," find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it where you need it. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed by holding Fn and using certain keys, but Character Map is more reliable.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that works in email, web browsers, text editors, word processors, spreadsheets, and social media. It displays the same way everywhere. If a program does not show it, the issue is usually with how you typed it, not the program itself.

Can I copy and paste the degree symbol instead of using a shortcut?

Yes. You can copy the ° symbol from any source — a web search result, this page, or a notes app — and paste it using Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac) wherever you need it. This works on any device and is sometimes faster than remembering a keyboard shortcut.

What is the difference between the degree symbol and the ring above character?

The degree symbol (°) is a small circle used for temperature, angles, and coordinates. The ring above (˚) is a different character used in some languages. The Alt code 0176 and Shift + Option + 8 produce the degree symbol, which is what you need for most uses.

Does the degree symbol work on Chromebooks?

Yes. On a Chromebook, hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter. This is the same Linux method. Alternatively, you can search for "degree symbol," copy it from a search result, and paste it into your document.