The fastest way to make a degree symbol

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8. On a Chromebook or phone, hold down the 0 key until a menu appears and tap the degree symbol. These are the quickest routes on each device — no special software or settings needed.

The degree symbol (°) appears in temperatures, angles, and geographic coordinates. Most keyboards don't have a dedicated key for it, so you'll use a keyboard shortcut or character menu instead. Which method works depends on what device and program you're using right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type Alt + 0176 on the numeric keypad to insert a degree symbol instantly.
  • Mac users press Shift + Option + 8 to produce the degree symbol without opening any menus.
  • On Chromebooks and Android phones, long-press the 0 key to see the degree symbol in a popup menu.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use the character map (Windows) or emoji keyboard (Mac) instead.
  • In most programs, you can also copy and paste a degree symbol from any webpage or document.

Windows: Using the Alt code

The numeric keypad method is the fastest on Windows. Make sure Num Lock is on — you'll see a light on your keyboard or a small indicator on screen. Then hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), and release Alt. The degree symbol appears instantly where your cursor is.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops — use the Character Map instead. Press Windows key + R, type charmap, and press Enter. Search for "degree" in the search box, click the degree symbol when it appears, click Copy, then paste it into your document with Ctrl + V.

Mac: The keyboard shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol shortcut is Shift + Option + 8. Hold all three keys at the same time, then release. The symbol appears wherever your cursor is positioned. This works in any program — email, documents, web forms, everything.

If you forget the shortcut, open the emoji keyboard by pressing Control + Command + Space, then type "degree" in the search box. Click the degree symbol and it inserts into your document. You can also add the degree symbol to your Mac's text replacements so that typing something like "deg" automatically becomes °.

Chromebooks and Android phones

On a Chromebook, open the on-screen keyboard by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Z, or use your physical keyboard's long-press method. Long-press the 0 key for about one second. A small menu pops up showing the degree symbol and other variations. Tap the degree symbol to insert it.

On an Android phone, open any text field and long-press the 0 key on your keyboard. The degree symbol appears in a popup menu above the key. Tap it to insert. On an iPhone, long-press the 0 key and swipe to the degree symbol, or use the emoji keyboard to search for it.

iPad and other tablets

On iPad, long-press the 0 key if you're using a physical keyboard. If you're using the on-screen keyboard, tap and hold the 0 key until a menu appears, then tap the degree symbol. The process is the same whether you're in an email, document, or web form.

If the long-press menu doesn't appear, try the emoji keyboard instead. Tap the emoji button (usually a smiley face icon), search for "degree," and tap the symbol. You can also copy a degree symbol from any webpage and paste it into your document.

Using copy and paste

The simplest method if you're unsure about shortcuts: find a degree symbol anywhere online, select it, copy it with Ctrl + C (Windows) or Command + C (Mac), then paste it into your document with Ctrl + V or Command + V. This works on every device and in every program.

You can also keep a degree symbol saved in a text file on your computer or phone so you can copy it whenever you need it. Some people bookmark a page with the symbol, or save it in their notes app. Once you have it copied, pasting takes one keystroke.

In specific programs

Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and similar programs have their own symbol insertion tools. In Word, go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, search for "degree," and click Insert. In Google Docs, go to Insert > Special characters, search for "degree," and click it. These menus are slower than keyboard shortcuts but work if you can't remember the shortcut.

In spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets, use the same keyboard shortcut (Alt + 0176 on Windows, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac) or the Insert menu. The degree symbol behaves like any other character — it counts as one cell entry and can be formatted like text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Alt + 0176 work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop likely has no numeric keypad. Use the Character Map instead: press Windows key + R, type charmap, find the degree symbol, copy it, and paste it where you need it. Some laptops have a Num Lock mode that activates the number pad on the right side of the keyboard — check your keyboard for a Num Lock key or try Fn + Num Lock.

Can I make a degree symbol on a phone without long-pressing?

Yes. Open the emoji keyboard and search for "degree" — it appears in the results. You can also copy a degree symbol from any webpage and paste it into your message or document. Long-pressing is faster once you know it's there, but searching works on any phone.

Is there a way to type degree symbols faster in programs I use every day?

Yes. In Word, Excel, and Google Docs, you can set up a text replacement so that typing a short code (like "deg") automatically becomes °. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In Google Docs, go to Tools > Preferences. This saves time if you type degree symbols regularly.

What if I need a degree symbol but I'm on a borrowed computer?

Copy and paste is your safest bet. Open any webpage, search for "degree symbol," copy it from the search results, and paste it into your document. This method works on any computer, any keyboard layout, and any program without needing to remember shortcuts or install anything.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs and websites?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character that every program and website supports. It displays the same way whether you type it with a keyboard shortcut, insert it from a menu, or paste it. You can use it in emails, forms, documents, spreadsheets, and social media without any issues.