The fastest way depends on your operating system

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

These shortcuts work in most programs — word processors, email, text editors, spreadsheets. The numeric keypad method on Windows is the most reliable if your keyboard has one. If your laptop does not have a numeric keypad, Windows offers a character map tool instead.

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.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U00B0, then press Space or Enter.
  • If your Windows laptop lacks a numeric keypad, use the Character Map tool (search "charmap" in the Start menu) to copy and paste the symbol.
  • The degree symbol works in almost all programs, but some older or specialized software may not recognize it.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, this is the simplest method. Make sure Num Lock is on — most keyboards have a light that shows this. Click in the document or field where you want the symbol to appear.

Hold down the Alt key. While holding Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad using the numbers on the right side of your keyboard, not the numbers across the top. Release Alt. The degree symbol should appear where your cursor was.

This method works in Word, Google Docs, email, spreadsheets, and most text fields. If nothing appears, check that Num Lock is on and that you used the numeric keypad, not the top row of numbers.

Windows: Using Character Map if you have no numeric keypad

Laptops often do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. If yours does not, use the Character Map tool instead. Press the Windows key and type "charmap" to search for it, then open the Character Map 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 your document and paste it where you need it using Ctrl+V.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it works on any Windows machine. You can also copy the symbol once and save it somewhere you can find it again, so you do not have to open Character Map every time.

Mac: The Shift+Option+8 shortcut

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys. The degree symbol appears immediately. This works in most Mac programs — Pages, Mail, Google Docs, and most text fields.

If nothing appears, make sure you are holding both Shift and Option together before pressing 8. Some older Mac keyboards may behave differently, but this shortcut works on all modern Mac keyboards.

Linux: The Ctrl+Shift+U method

On Linux, the process is slightly longer. Hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter U. Release Ctrl and Shift. Type 00B0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol). Press Space or Enter.

This method works in most Linux text editors and many web browsers. Some applications may not support Unicode input this way, so if nothing appears, try copying the symbol from a character map tool instead. Most Linux distributions include a character map application — search your application menu for "character map" or "charmap".

Copying and pasting the symbol

If keyboard shortcuts do not work in a particular program, you can copy the degree symbol from anywhere it already exists and paste it where you need it. Copy this symbol: °. Then use Ctrl+V (Windows and Linux) or Command+V (Mac) to paste it into your document.

You can also keep a text file with the degree symbol saved on your computer, open it whenever you need the symbol, copy it, and paste it into your work. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it works in almost every program, including older software that may not recognize keyboard shortcuts.

When the degree symbol does not appear

If you type the shortcut and nothing happens, the program you are using may not support that input method. Try the copy-and-paste method instead. Some older programs, specialized software, or certain web forms do not accept Unicode characters or keyboard shortcuts.

If you are typing in a web form and the symbol does not appear, try refreshing the page and trying again. If it still does not work, the form may not accept special characters — in that case, you can type "degrees" as a word instead, or contact the website owner to ask if they support the symbol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

Yes, on Mac and Windows you can create custom shortcuts. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and add a new entry with the degree symbol and a shortcut you choose. On Windows, you can use AutoCorrect in Word or other programs to replace a short text string with the degree symbol automatically.

Why do I need to use Alt+0176 on Windows instead of just Alt+176?

The leading zero tells Windows you are using the extended ASCII code rather than a different character code system. Without it, you get a different symbol. Always type 0176, not 176.

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

It works in most modern programs — word processors, email, browsers, and spreadsheets. Some older software, specialized tools, or restricted web forms may not accept it. If it does not work, copy and paste instead, or type the word "degrees" as an alternative.

Can I type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

On most phones, hold down the zero key (0) on the keyboard and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On tablets, the process varies by device and keyboard app, but most have a symbols menu you can access by pressing a special key.