The fastest way depends on what you're typing into

The degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut or a menu. The method that works fastest depends on whether you're in Windows, Mac, or a web browser, and what program you're using. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option and press 8. In most web browsers and Google Docs, you can type the degree symbol directly from a special character menu without memorizing anything.

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperature, angles, or coordinates — learning the keyboard shortcut for your device takes 30 seconds and saves you time every time. If you only need it once in a while, the menu method works just as well and requires no memory.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of a full-size keyboard).
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together, then press 8 to type the degree symbol.
  • Chromebook users can hold Ctrl and Shift, then type u, then 00b0, then press Enter.
  • If you do not have a numeric keypad or prefer not to memorize codes, you can insert the degree symbol from the Insert menu in Word, Google Docs, or most other programs.
  • Copying and pasting the symbol (°) from another source works in any program and requires no keyboard shortcut.

Windows: Using the Alt code

On Windows, the fastest method is the Alt code. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad — the cluster of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears.

This only works on the numeric keypad, not the number row at the top of the keyboard. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad (common on laptops), you have two options: use the menu method instead, or enable Num Lock and use the number keys that double as arrow keys on the right side of your keyboard.

If Num Lock is off, those keys move your cursor instead of typing numbers. Look for the Num Lock key (usually in the top right of the keypad) and press it once to turn it on. When Num Lock is on, a light on your keyboard usually turns on. Then you can use Alt + 0176 on those keys.

Mac: Using Shift and Option

On Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys, and the degree symbol appears. This works on any Mac keyboard, including laptop keyboards, because Mac does not use numeric keypads the way Windows does.

If the symbol does not appear, make sure you are holding Shift and Option together before you press 8. A common mistake is pressing them in the wrong order or releasing one too early. The order does not matter — you can hold Option first or Shift first — but both must be held down when you press 8.

Chromebook: Using Ctrl, Shift, and Unicode

On Chromebook, hold Ctrl and Shift, then type the letter u. Release those keys, then type 00b0 (the number zero twice, then the letter b, then the number zero). Press Enter, and the degree symbol appears.

This method works in most programs on Chromebook, including Google Docs and Gmail. If it does not work, you may be in a program that does not support Unicode input. In that case, use the menu method instead.

Any device: Using the Insert menu

If you do not want to memorize a keyboard shortcut, or if your keyboard does not support it, you can insert the degree symbol from a menu. In Microsoft Word, click Insert at the top, then click Symbol (or Special Character on older versions). A window opens showing hundreds of symbols. Scroll down or search for "degree" and click the degree symbol, then click Insert.

In Google Docs, click Insert at the top, then click Special characters. Type "degree" in the search box, and the degree symbol appears. Click it to insert it into your document.

In most web browsers and email programs, you can also right-click where you want to type, look for an Insert Symbol or Special Character option, and follow the same steps. If that option does not appear, try the keyboard shortcut for your device instead.

Any device: Copy and paste

The simplest method that works everywhere is to copy the degree symbol from somewhere else and paste it where you need it. You can copy the symbol from this article (°), or from any web search result that shows it. Highlight the symbol, press Ctrl + C (or Command + C on Mac) to copy it, then click where you want it and press Ctrl + V (or Command + V on Mac) to paste.

This method takes a few extra seconds but requires no keyboard shortcuts and works in every program. If you type the degree symbol often, you might save the symbol in a text file on your computer so you can copy it quickly whenever you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your laptop probably does not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock (usually a key in the top right corner of your keyboard) and then use Alt + 0176 on the number keys that also function as arrow keys. If that does not work, use the Insert menu method instead.

Is there a degree symbol shortcut in Google Docs?

Google Docs does not have a single keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol across all devices. Use the Insert menu (Insert > Special characters > search "degree") or use your device's keyboard shortcut (Alt + 0176 on Windows, Shift + Option + 8 on Mac, Ctrl + Shift + u, 00b0, Enter on Chromebook).

Can I type the degree symbol on my phone?

On iPhone, hold down the 0 (zero) key and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app, but usually you can long-press the 0 key or access special characters through a menu. Check your keyboard app's settings if the long-press method does not work.

What if I need the degree symbol in a program that does not support special characters?

Some older or specialized programs do not support the degree symbol. In that case, you can type the word "degrees" instead, or use a workaround like typing "deg" or the caret symbol (^) as a placeholder. Check the program's documentation to see if there is a specific method for inserting special characters.