The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on most keyboards, so you type it using a keyboard shortcut or a character menu. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, then type 00B0 and press Enter or Space.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map application or type the symbol directly in some programs by holding Alt Gr and pressing the key with the degree symbol printed on it (varies by keyboard layout). The Mac and Linux shortcuts work on any keyboard because they do not rely on a numeric pad.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad should hold Alt and type 0176, then release Alt to insert the degree symbol.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to type the degree symbol in any program.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then 00B0, then press Enter or Space to insert the symbol.
  • Laptops without a numeric keypad can use Windows Character Map, found by searching "charmap" in the Start menu.
  • Some programs like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have Insert menu options for special characters, which is slower but requires no memorization.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad method is the fastest on Windows if your keyboard has one. Make sure Num Lock is on — the Num Lock light on your keyboard should be lit. Hold down the Alt key on the left side of the keyboard, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the cluster of number keys on the right). Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

The leading zero matters — typing 176 without the 0 will not work. If nothing appears, check that Num Lock is active. Some keyboards label the numeric keypad with numbers and arrow symbols together; make sure you are pressing the number side, not the arrow side.

Windows: Character Map for laptops without a numeric pad

Laptops and compact keyboards often lack a numeric keypad, making the Alt code impossible to type. Instead, open the Character Map application by pressing the Windows key, typing "charmap", and pressing Enter. A window opens showing a grid of symbols.

Scroll down or type "degree" in the search box at the bottom of the window. Click the degree symbol when you find it, then click Copy. Switch to the program where you need the symbol and paste it with Ctrl+V. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works on any Windows machine.

Mac: The Shift+Option+8 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 any program — email, documents, web browsers, text editors — and does not require a numeric keypad.

If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are holding both Shift and Option. Some keyboards label Option as Alt; they are the same key on a Mac. The shortcut is the same whether you are using an Apple keyboard, a third-party keyboard, or a laptop trackpad.

Linux: The Ctrl+Shift+U method

Linux uses a Unicode input method that works in most programs. 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 in text editors, web browsers, and most applications. Some programs may not support Unicode input; if the symbol does not appear, try the program's Insert menu instead. The method is the same across different Linux distributions and desktop environments.

Using Insert menus in Microsoft Word and Google Docs

If you forget the keyboard shortcut, both Microsoft Word and Google Docs have built-in menus for inserting special characters. In Word, click Insert at the top, then click Symbol on the right side of the ribbon. A dropdown menu appears; click More Symbols. Search for "degree" or scroll down to find it, then click Insert.

In Google Docs, click Insert at the top, then click Special characters. A search box appears; type "degree" and click the symbol to insert it. Both methods are slower than keyboard shortcuts but require no memorization. The symbol you insert is the same in both programs.

Copying and pasting the symbol

If you need the degree symbol only once or twice, the simplest method is to copy it from somewhere else. Search "degree symbol" in your web browser, find a page that displays it, select it with your mouse, and copy it with Ctrl+C (Windows or Linux) or Command+C (Mac). Switch to your document and paste with Ctrl+V or Command+V.

This method works on any device and any keyboard layout. The downside is that it requires an internet connection and takes longer than a keyboard shortcut. For frequent use, memorizing the shortcut for your operating system saves time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. If your keyboard has Num Lock, try enabling it first — look for a Num Lock key, usually near the top right. If there is no numeric keypad at all, use Character Map instead: press Windows key, type "charmap", press Enter, search for "degree", and copy the symbol.

Is there a degree symbol on my keyboard that I can just press?

No. The degree symbol is not printed on any standard keyboard key. Some international keyboard layouts may have it as a secondary character accessed with Alt Gr, but this varies by region. The keyboard shortcuts listed above work on all layouts.

Can I save the degree symbol somewhere so I do not have to type it every time?

Yes. In Microsoft Word, you can add the degree symbol to AutoCorrect so that typing a shortcut like ":deg" automatically replaces it with °. In Google Docs, you can create a text replacement in your operating system settings. Both methods save time if you use the symbol regularly.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

The keyboard shortcuts work in most programs — email, browsers, text editors, and office software. Some older or specialized programs may not support the symbol. If it does not appear, try using the Insert menu or Character Map instead.

What if I need to type a degree symbol in a different language or keyboard layout?

The Windows Alt code (Alt+0176), Mac shortcut (Shift+Option+8), and Linux method (Ctrl+Shift+U, then 00B0) work regardless of your keyboard layout or language settings. These are based on the character code, not the physical keys, so they are universal.