The fastest way: Alt code on Windows

On a Windows computer, hold down the Alt key and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top). Release Alt and the degree symbol (°) appears. This works in Word and almost everywhere else you type.

The numeric keypad is the separate block of number keys on the right side of most full-size keyboards. If your keyboard does not have one — many laptops do not — you will need one of the other methods below. The Alt code method is the fastest once you know the number, and it works consistently across Windows versions.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type Alt+0176 on the numeric keypad to insert a degree symbol instantly, and this shortcut works in Word and most other programs.
  • Mac users should press Shift+Option+8 to type the degree symbol, and this shortcut also works across most applications.
  • Word's Insert menu lets you search for the degree symbol by name if you forget the keyboard shortcut or do not have a numeric keypad.
  • You can create a custom keyboard shortcut in Word so you never have to remember a code, and save it to your default template to use in all future documents.
  • AutoCorrect can replace a short code like ":deg" with the degree symbol automatically whenever you type it.

On a Mac: Shift+Option+8

Press Shift, Option, and 8 at the same time. The degree symbol appears immediately. This shortcut works in Word and most other Mac applications, including email clients, web browsers, and text editors.

If you use this symbol often, you can add it to your Mac's text replacements so it appears when you type a short code. Open System Settings, go to Keyboard, then Text Replacement, and create a new entry where the replacement text is the degree symbol. For example, you could type "deg" and have it automatically become °. This method works system-wide, not just in Word.

Using Word's Insert menu when you do not have a numeric keypad

Click the Insert tab at the top of Word. In the ribbon, find the Symbol button (it usually shows a Greek letter or special character). Click it and select "More Symbols" from the dropdown menu that appears.

In the Symbol dialog box, type "degree" in the search field at the bottom. The degree symbol appears in the results. Click it and then click Insert. You can close the dialog after, or leave it open if you need to insert the symbol multiple times. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works on any keyboard, including those without a numeric keypad.

Creating a custom keyboard shortcut in Word

If you type the degree symbol often, you can set up a shortcut that is easier to remember than Alt codes. Open the Symbol dialog (Insert > Symbol > More Symbols), click the degree symbol, then click the "Shortcut Key" button at the bottom of the dialog.

A new window opens. Press the key combination you want to use — for example, Ctrl+Shift+D — and click Assign. Word remembers this shortcut only in that document unless you click "Save" to add it to your default template, which makes it available in all new documents you create. Custom shortcuts are useful if you type the degree symbol regularly and want something faster than the Insert menu but easier to remember than Alt+0176.

Using AutoCorrect for quick typing

You can tell Word to replace a short code with the degree symbol automatically. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the Replace field, type something short like ":deg" and in the With field, insert the degree symbol (paste it from somewhere, or use Insert > Symbol first).

Now whenever you type ":deg" followed by a space or punctuation, Word replaces it with °. This method works well if you type the symbol regularly but do not want to memorize a keyboard shortcut. The AutoCorrect rule stays active in all documents you create, so you only have to set it up once.

Copying and pasting the symbol

If you have already typed a degree symbol somewhere in your document, you can copy it and paste it wherever else you need it. Select the symbol, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), then click where you want it and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V). This method requires no memorization and works on any device.

You can also copy the degree symbol from this page or any web page and paste it into Word. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works if you only need it once or twice, or if you are on an unfamiliar computer where you have not set up a custom shortcut yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a separate numeric keypad. Try holding Fn and Alt together while typing 0176 on the number row, or use the Insert > Symbol menu instead. If you have a Mac laptop, use Shift+Option+8 instead.

Can I use the degree symbol for temperature and angles?

Yes, the degree symbol (°) is used for both. For temperature, you would type "98°F" or "37°C". For angles, you would type "45°" or "90°". The same symbol works for both uses.

Does the keyboard shortcut work in other programs besides Word?

The Alt+0176 shortcut on Windows and Shift+Option+8 on Mac work in most programs — email, web browsers, text editors, and others. The Insert menu method only works in Word, but the keyboard shortcuts are universal.

What if I need to type many degree symbols in one document?

Set up a custom keyboard shortcut or AutoCorrect rule so you do not have to use the Insert menu each time. Both take less than a minute to set up and save time if you are typing the symbol more than a few times.

Can I save a custom shortcut so it works in all my Word documents?

Yes. When you create a custom shortcut in the Symbol dialog, click "Save" instead of just "Assign". This adds it to your default template, and the shortcut will be available in all new documents you create going forward.