The fastest way to type a degree sign

In Microsoft Word on Windows, hold Ctrl and press Shift, then type @ (the at symbol). Release the keys, then type a space. Word converts this to the degree symbol (°) automatically. This works on Windows machines running Word 2007 and later.

If that combination does not work on your keyboard, or if you are on a Mac, the Insert menu method below is more reliable and works the same way across all versions and operating systems. The keyboard shortcut depends on your hardware and keyboard layout, so having a backup method saves time when the first one fails.

Key Takeaways

  • The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+@ followed by a space types a degree symbol on Windows in most versions of Word.
  • If the shortcut does not work, use Insert > Symbol, search for "degree", and click Insert to add it to your document.
  • On a Mac, the keyboard shortcut is Option+Shift+8, followed by a space.
  • You can also type the degree symbol by holding Alt and typing 0176 on the numeric keypad (Windows only).
  • Once you have typed the symbol once, you can copy it and paste it anywhere else in your document or create an AutoCorrect entry for repeated use.

Using the Insert menu for any version of Word

Open the Insert tab at the top of Word. Click Symbol (on the far right of the ribbon), then click More Symbols at the bottom of the dropdown menu. A dialog box opens with a search field and a character grid.

In the search field at the bottom, type degree. The degree symbol (°) appears in the list. Click it once to select it, then click the Insert button. The symbol appears in your document at the cursor position. Close the dialog when you are done. This method works the same way in Word for Windows, Word for Mac, and Word Online, making it the most universal approach across all platforms.

The Alt code method for Windows

On a Windows keyboard, you can type a degree symbol by holding Alt and typing 0176 on the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard. Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears. This only works if you use the numeric keypad — typing the numbers across the top of the keyboard does not work, even if you hold Alt.

Make sure Num Lock is turned on before you try this method. A light on your keyboard shows whether Num Lock is active. If Num Lock is off, the numeric keypad types arrow keys and other navigation commands instead of numbers. You can toggle Num Lock by pressing the Num Lock key, usually located at the top left of the numeric keypad.

How to type it on a Mac

On a Mac keyboard, hold Option and Shift together, then press 8. Release all keys, then type a space. The degree symbol appears in your document. This works in Word for Mac, Google Docs, and most other Mac applications that accept text input.

If you are using an older Mac or a different keyboard layout, the Insert > Symbol method (described above) works on Mac as well and is the most reliable backup. Mac keyboards can vary by region and model, so the keyboard shortcut may not work on every machine. The Insert menu approach bypasses these differences entirely.

Saving the degree symbol for reuse

Once you have typed the degree symbol, you can copy it and paste it throughout your document instead of typing it each time. Select the degree symbol by clicking and dragging across it, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac) to copy. Click where you want it, then press Ctrl+V or Cmd+V to paste. This is faster than retyping the symbol multiple times in a long document.

If you use the degree symbol often, you can create an AutoCorrect entry so Word replaces a shorthand phrase with the symbol automatically. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the "Replace" field, type something like :deg, and in the "With" field, paste the degree symbol. Click Add, then OK. Now whenever you type :deg followed by a space, Word replaces it with °. This method works on both Windows and Mac versions of Word.

When the keyboard shortcut does not work

The Ctrl+Shift+@ shortcut fails on some keyboards, especially non-English layouts or laptop keyboards where the @ symbol is in a different location. If it does not work, try the Insert > Symbol method instead — it is slower but works on every keyboard and every version of Word. Non-English keyboards often place special characters in different positions, which breaks shortcuts designed for English QWERTY layouts.

If you are in Word Online (the browser version), the Insert menu method is your best option. Word Online does not support the keyboard shortcuts that work in the desktop version. The browser version has the same Insert > Symbol feature, so you can still access the degree symbol through the menu even if you cannot use keyboard shortcuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type a degree symbol in Word Online?

Yes. Click Insert, then Symbol, then More Symbols. Search for "degree" and click Insert. The keyboard shortcuts do not work in the browser version, so the Insert menu is the only method available in Word Online.

What if I need to type degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Type the degree symbol, then immediately type C or F with no space between them. For example, 98.6°F or 37°C. Some people add a space before the letter, but the no-space version is the standard in scientific writing and most style guides.

Does the Alt+0176 method work on a laptop?

Not usually. Laptops do not have a separate numeric keypad. You can enable a virtual numeric keypad by holding Fn and using the number keys, but it is easier to use the Insert > Symbol method instead. The Insert menu approach avoids the complexity of virtual keypads entirely.

Can I use the degree symbol in other Microsoft programs?

Yes. The same keyboard shortcuts and Insert > Symbol method work in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The Alt+0176 code works anywhere on Windows, and Option+Shift+8 works anywhere on Mac, so you can use these symbols in any application that accepts text.

What if I need to type a superscript degree symbol?

Type the degree symbol using any method above, then select it and press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to make it superscript. This is useful in scientific notation or when you want the symbol to appear smaller and raised above the baseline of the text.