The fastest way depends on what you're typing into

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're on Windows, Mac, or using a web browser — and some programs have their own shortcuts that override the standard ones.

If you're typing into Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or most other programs, you have multiple working routes. Pick whichever one feels fastest to you, because all of them are genuinely quick once you've done it twice.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row) to produce the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to type the degree symbol.
  • In Microsoft Word on either system, type the degree symbol by going to Insert > Special Character and searching for "degree", or use the AutoCorrect shortcut \o (backslash followed by the letter o).
  • In Google Docs, use Insert > Special Characters and search for "degree" to find and insert it with one click.
  • If you type the degree symbol often, you can create a custom keyboard shortcut in most programs rather than memorizing a number code.

Windows: The Alt code method

On Windows, hold down the Alt key and type 0176 on your numeric keypad — the number pad on the right side of your keyboard, not the numbers across the top. When you release Alt, the degree symbol appears.

This only works with the numeric keypad. If your keyboard does not have one (common on laptops), you may need to enable Num Lock and use the number keys that double as arrow keys, or use one of the other methods below instead.

The Alt code method works in almost every Windows program: email, word processors, browsers, spreadsheets, and text editors. It is the most universal shortcut on Windows, which is why it is worth learning if you type the degree symbol regularly.

Mac: The Shift-Option shortcut

On Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys and the degree symbol appears. This works in nearly every Mac program without exception.

If you have never used the Option key before, it is the key labeled "option" or "alt" on the left side of your keyboard, next to the Command key. Shift is the key you use to type capital letters.

Unlike the Windows Alt code, this shortcut is the same across all Mac programs and does not require you to remember a number sequence. Once you do it a few times, your fingers learn the motion.

Microsoft Word on Windows or Mac

In Microsoft Word, you have two reliable options beyond the standard keyboard shortcuts. The first is to use Word's AutoCorrect feature: type a backslash followed by the letter o (\o) and Word automatically converts it to the degree symbol as soon as you press Space or Enter.

The second option is to go to the Insert menu, select Special Character (or Symbol on older versions), search for "degree", and click to insert it. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works if you forget the code or if your keyboard layout makes the shortcut difficult.

If you use the degree symbol in Word frequently, you can also create a custom keyboard shortcut. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, click the AutoCorrect tab, and add your own shortcut — for example, typing "deg" could automatically become °.

Google Docs and Google Sheets

In Google Docs or Google Sheets, click Insert in the menu bar, then select Special Characters. A search box opens on the right side of the screen. Type "degree" and the degree symbol appears in the results. Click it to insert it into your document.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works the same way on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and Linux — you do not need to remember different codes for different systems. If you use Google Docs regularly, this is often the most reliable route.

Google Docs does not support the Windows Alt code or Mac Shift-Option shortcut the same way desktop programs do, so the Special Characters menu is your best option in the browser.

Other programs and web browsers

In most other programs — email clients, text editors, spreadsheets, and web browsers — the Windows Alt code (Alt + 0176) and Mac Shift-Option-8 shortcuts work as described above. Test the shortcut once in any new program to confirm it works before you need it in a real document.

Some programs, particularly older ones or specialized software, may not recognize these shortcuts. If a shortcut does not work, fall back to copying and pasting the degree symbol from another source: search "degree symbol" online, copy the ° character, and paste it where you need it. This is not elegant, but it always works.

If you are typing into a web form or text box on a website and the shortcuts do not work, try the copy-and-paste method. Web forms sometimes block keyboard shortcuts for security reasons.

Creating a custom shortcut if you type it often

If you type the degree symbol multiple times a week, creating a custom shortcut saves time. In Microsoft Word, you can set up AutoCorrect to convert a short phrase (like "deg" or "degrees") into the symbol automatically. In Google Docs, you can use Tools > Preferences to set a custom search shortcut.

On Mac, you can create a text replacement in System Preferences: go to Keyboard > Text, click the plus button, type your shortcut in the "Replace" field (for example, "deg"), and paste the degree symbol in the "With" field. From then on, typing "deg" anywhere on your Mac converts to °.

On Windows, you can use the same approach in some programs, but the process varies. Check the program's settings or preferences menu for an AutoCorrect or Text Replacement option. If your program does not offer this, the Alt code remains your fastest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the Alt code work on my Windows laptop?

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. You may need to enable Num Lock and use the number keys that also function as arrow keys (usually marked with small numbers in the corner). If this does not work, use the Google Docs Special Characters method or copy and paste the symbol instead.

Can I type the degree symbol on a Chromebook?

Yes. Use Google Docs' Insert > Special Characters menu and search for "degree", or copy and paste the symbol from a search result. Chromebooks do not support the Windows Alt code or Mac shortcuts because they use a different operating system.

What if I need the degree symbol in a text message or social media post?

The easiest method is to search "degree symbol" on Google, copy the ° character from the search result, and paste it into your message. Most phones and tablets do not support the keyboard shortcuts described above, so copy-and-paste is the fastest route on mobile devices.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol without memorizing a code?

Yes. In Google Docs, use Insert > Special Characters and search for "degree". In Microsoft Word, use Insert > Symbol. Both methods let you find and insert the symbol by clicking, with no code to remember. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but more reliable if you do not type the symbol often.

Does the degree symbol work in Excel?

Yes. The Windows Alt code (Alt + 0176) and Mac Shift-Option-8 shortcuts both work in Excel. You can also use Insert > Special Character in Excel on Mac, or Insert > Symbol in Excel on Windows, to find and insert the degree symbol the same way you would in Word.