The fastest way to type a degree symbol

The degree symbol (°) appears in Word through three methods: the keyboard shortcut, the Insert menu, or copy-paste. The keyboard shortcut is fastest if you use it often. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad or you prefer not to memorize shortcuts, the Insert menu works on any computer. Click the Insert tab, select Symbol, find the degree symbol in the list, and click Insert. The symbol then appears wherever your cursor was positioned in the document.

The copy-paste method works if you already have a degree symbol somewhere else — in an email, a web page, or another document. Highlight the symbol, press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy it, then click in your Word document and press Ctrl+V or Command+V to paste.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type Alt+0176 on the numeric keypad to insert a degree symbol instantly.
  • Mac users hold Shift+Option and press 8 to type the degree symbol.
  • The Insert menu method works on any computer and requires no keyboard shortcut memory.
  • Once you insert a degree symbol, you can copy it and reuse it throughout your document.

Using the Insert menu when you don't have a numeric keypad

Many laptops and compact keyboards lack a dedicated numeric keypad, which makes the Alt code method impossible. The Insert menu is your reliable alternative. Open your Word document and place your cursor exactly where you want the degree symbol to appear — between the number and the unit, for example "98°F" or "45°C".

Click the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon. In the Symbols group near the right side, click Symbol. A dropdown menu appears with recently used symbols at the top. If you have used the degree symbol before in this document, it may already be visible here — click it and you are done.

If the degree symbol is not in the recent list, click More Symbols at the bottom of the dropdown. A larger dialog box opens. The degree symbol is in the Latin-1 Supplement section. You can scroll to find it, or type "degree" in the search box at the bottom of the dialog to jump directly to it. Click the degree symbol once to select it, then click the Insert button.

The Alt code method for Windows users

The Alt code method is the fastest once you know it, but it only works on Windows and only with the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard. Laptop numeric keypads accessed through Fn keys do not work for this. Make sure Num Lock is turned on — you should see a light on your keyboard indicating this.

Position your cursor in the document where you want the degree symbol. Hold down the Alt key and type 0176 on the numeric keypad — not the number row at the top of the keyboard. The numbers must come from the keypad on the right. Release the Alt key, and the degree symbol appears instantly.

If nothing happens, check that Num Lock is on. If you typed the numbers on the top row instead of the keypad, delete what appeared and try again with the numeric keypad. Some programs and keyboard layouts may not support this method, but it works reliably in Microsoft Word.

The Mac keyboard shortcut

Mac users have a dedicated keyboard shortcut that is just as fast as the Windows Alt code. Hold down Shift and Option at the same time, then press the 8 key. Release all keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works on any Mac keyboard, including laptops and wireless keyboards.

The Shift+Option+8 combination is worth memorizing if you type temperatures, angles, or coordinates regularly. It works in Word, email, web browsers, and most other Mac applications. If you forget the shortcut in the moment, you can always use the Insert menu method instead — it works identically on Mac and Windows.

Saving the degree symbol for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol multiple times in the same document, you can save time by copying it. After you insert it the first time using any method, triple-click on the symbol to select it (or click once and drag to highlight it). Press Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac to copy it to your clipboard.

Every time you need the symbol again, click where you want it and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) to paste. This is faster than repeating the Alt code or navigating the Insert menu each time. The symbol stays in your clipboard until you copy something else, so you can paste it as many times as you need in one editing session.

You can also create a Quick Part or AutoCorrect entry to insert the degree symbol automatically. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Under the Replace tab, type a shorthand like "deg" in the Replace field, paste the degree symbol in the With field, and click Add. From then on, typing "deg" followed by a space will automatically insert the degree symbol.

Why the degree symbol looks different in some fonts

The degree symbol may appear slightly different depending on which font your document uses. In some fonts it is a small raised circle, in others it is slightly larger or positioned differently. This is normal and does not affect how the symbol works or how it prints.

If the symbol looks wrong in your document, the issue is usually the font, not the symbol itself. Try changing the font of just that character to see if it looks better. Select the degree symbol, click the font dropdown in the ribbon, and choose a different font like Calibri or Times New Roman. If you want all degree symbols in your document to use the same font, select one, change its font, then copy and paste it over the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type a degree symbol on a laptop without a numeric keypad?

Yes. Use the Insert menu method: click Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, search for "degree", and click Insert. Mac users can also use Shift+Option+8. The Alt code method only works on Windows with a dedicated numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard.

What if the Alt code doesn't work on my Windows computer?

Check that Num Lock is on and that you are typing on the numeric keypad on the right, not the number row at the top. Some programs and keyboard layouts do not support Alt codes. If it still does not work, use the Insert menu instead — it works on all computers.

How do I type a degree symbol in an email or web form?

The keyboard shortcuts work in most programs: Shift+Option+8 on Mac, or Alt+0176 on Windows with a numeric keypad. If those do not work, copy a degree symbol from another source and paste it in. You can also type it in Word, copy it, and paste it into the email or form.

Is there a difference between the degree symbol and the letter O?

Yes. The degree symbol (°) is smaller and positioned higher than the letter O. They look similar but are different characters. Word treats them differently for spelling and grammar checking. Always use the actual degree symbol for temperatures and angles, not the letter O.

Can I make the degree symbol larger or change its color?

Yes. Select the degree symbol by clicking and dragging across it, then use the font size dropdown or color tools in the ribbon to change it. The symbol will resize and recolor along with any other text you have selected at the same time.