The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) does not have its own key on most keyboards, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut or character menu. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option, then press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, type 00B0, and press Space or Enter.

If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: the Character Map application or a compose key sequence. The method you choose depends on what you are typing and whether you need the symbol often.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176 on the numeric keypad, or by using the Character Map application if no numeric keypad is available.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to produce the degree symbol.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U00B0, then press Space to insert the symbol.
  • On any system, you can copy the ° symbol from another source and paste it wherever you need it, which works if you only need it occasionally.
  • Phone keyboards have dedicated degree buttons in the number pad or scientific calculator view, or you can long-press the O key on some devices.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad method is the quickest on Windows if your keyboard has one. Make sure Num Lock is on — most keyboards have a light that shows this. Hold down the Alt key, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard). Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

The leading zero matters. If you type 176 without the 0, you will get a different character. The numeric keypad is the set of keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard, arranged like a calculator.

Windows: Using Character Map when you have no numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad, making the Alt code method impossible. Instead, use the Character Map application built into Windows. Press the Windows key, type "character map," and open the application.

In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" or scroll through the list until you find the degree symbol (°). Click it once to select it, then click the Copy button. Go to wherever you need the symbol and paste it using Ctrl+V. You can leave Character Map open and repeat this as many times as you need.

Mac: The Shift-Option-8 shortcut

On Mac, the degree symbol is built into the keyboard shortcut system. Hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears instantly. This works on any Mac keyboard, whether it is a laptop or desktop model.

If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are using the 8 key on the number row at the top of the keyboard, not on a numeric keypad. The order of the keys does not matter — you can press Shift first or Option first, as long as both are held when you press 8.

Linux: The Ctrl-Shift-U method

Most Linux distributions support Unicode input through a compose sequence. Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter U. Release those keys, then type 00B0 (the Unicode code point for the degree symbol). Press Space or Enter, and the symbol appears.

This method works in most text editors and web browsers on Linux. If it does not work in a specific application, that program may not support Unicode input, or your Linux distribution may use a different compose key. Check your system settings under Keyboard or Input Method to confirm which method your setup uses.

Phones and tablets: Finding the symbol in the keyboard

On iPhone, open the keyboard and switch to the numbers and symbols view by tapping the 123 button. Look for the degree symbol on the second page of symbols — you may need to swipe left to find it. Tap and hold the O key as an alternative; some keyboards show the degree symbol as an option.

On Android, the location varies by keyboard app. In the default Google Keyboard, tap the numbers button (123), then tap the symbols button (=\<) to access additional characters. The degree symbol is usually on the second page. If you use a third-party keyboard like Gboard or SwiftKey, swipe or search for the symbol, or long-press the O key to see variant characters.

Copy and paste: The universal method

If you only need the degree symbol occasionally and the keyboard shortcuts are not working, the simplest approach is to copy it from somewhere else. You can copy the ° symbol from this article, from a search result, or from any document that contains it. Paste it wherever you need it using Ctrl+V on Windows or Linux, or Command+V on Mac.

This method works on any device and in any application, including web forms and text fields that might not support keyboard shortcuts. Keep a note with the symbol saved somewhere you can reach it quickly, or bookmark this page for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Use the Character Map application instead, or try holding Fn while typing the numbers if your laptop has a Fn Lock key that enables numeric input on the regular number row. If neither works, copy and paste the symbol from another source.

Can I create a custom keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Mac, yes. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, click the plus button, and type the degree symbol in the "Replace" field and your chosen shortcut in the "With" field. On Windows, you can use AutoHotkey (a free third-party tool) to create custom shortcuts, but this requires some setup. The built-in methods are usually faster.

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

The degree symbol (°) is a small circle used for temperature and angles. The ring above (˚) is a diacritical mark used in some languages. The keyboard shortcuts described here produce the degree symbol. If you need the ring above for a specific language, check that language's keyboard layout or input method.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

Yes. The degree symbol is a standard character supported by all modern text editors, word processors, web browsers, and email clients. It will display correctly on any device that receives it, whether the recipient uses Windows, Mac, Linux, or a phone.

Can I type the degree symbol in a spreadsheet or database?

Yes. Use the same keyboard shortcut or copy-paste method you would use in any other application. In spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets, the symbol works in cells just like any other character. Some spreadsheet programs also let you format cells to automatically add the degree symbol after a number, which is useful if you are entering many temperature or angle values.