The fastest way to add a degree symbol

The quickest method is to use the keyboard shortcut. Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, then release Alt. The degree symbol (°) will appear where your cursor is positioned.

This works in Microsoft Word on Windows. If you are on a Mac or using a laptop without a numeric keypad, the steps below show you other methods that work on any device.

The numeric keypad method fails silently if you use the number row at the top of the keyboard instead of the keypad on the right — Word simply will not insert the symbol. Make sure you are using the separate numeric keypad.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows with a numeric keypad, hold Alt and type 0176 to insert the degree symbol instantly.
  • On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol without opening any menus.
  • You can insert the symbol through Word's Insert menu by selecting Special Characters, then searching for "degree".
  • Once you insert a degree symbol, you can copy it and paste it elsewhere in your document instead of repeating the steps.

Using the Insert menu on any device

If the keyboard shortcut does not work or you prefer using menus, Word's Insert menu gives you access to the degree symbol on Windows, Mac, and web versions.

Open your Word document and click the Insert tab at the top. Then click Symbol (on Mac, this may say Special Characters). A small window will open showing a grid of symbols. Type degree in the search box at the top of that window. The degree symbol will appear in the results. Click it and then click Insert.

This method takes longer than a keyboard shortcut, but it works the same way on every version of Word and every operating system. If you use the degree symbol often, you can click AutoCorrect in that same window to set up a shortcut — for example, typing deg could automatically become °.

The Mac keyboard shortcut

On a Mac, the keyboard shortcut is different from Windows. Press Shift + Option + 8 at the same time. Release all three keys and the degree symbol will appear.

This shortcut works in Word, Google Docs, email, and almost any other text field on a Mac. Unlike the Windows method, you do not need a numeric keypad — the regular number keys work fine.

Copying and pasting a symbol you already have

Once you have typed the degree symbol once, the fastest way to use it again is to copy and paste. Click right before the degree symbol, then drag to select it. Press Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac) to copy.

Move your cursor to where you need the symbol and press Ctrl + V (or Cmd + V on Mac) to paste. This is faster than typing the shortcut multiple times, especially if you are adding the symbol to many places in the same document.

Using AutoCorrect to create your own shortcut

Word lets you set up a custom shortcut so that typing a few letters automatically becomes the degree symbol. Open the Insert menu, click Symbol (or Special Characters on Mac), find the degree symbol, and click it. Then click AutoCorrect at the bottom of the window.

A dialog box will open. In the Replace field, type a short code like deg or degree. Leave the With field showing the degree symbol. Click Add and then OK. From now on, whenever you type that code in Word, it will automatically change to the degree symbol.

Be careful not to choose a code that is a real word or abbreviation you use often. If you set deg as your shortcut and you actually need to type the word "deg" in a technical document, you will have to delete the symbol and retype it each time.

Troubleshooting when the shortcut does not work

If you tried Alt + 0176 on Windows and nothing happened, check that you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top. The number row will not work for this shortcut. If your laptop does not have a numeric keypad, use the Insert menu method instead.

If you are in a web version of Word (Word Online), the keyboard shortcuts may not work because your browser intercepts them. Use the Insert menu method — click Insert, then Symbol, search for degree, and click Insert. This works reliably in all web browsers.

On Mac, if Shift + Option + 8 produces a different symbol, you may have a different keyboard layout selected in System Preferences. Check your keyboard settings and switch to a US or UK layout if you need the standard degree symbol.

When to use the degree symbol

The degree symbol is used for temperature (72°F or 25°C), angles and geometry (a 90° angle), and geographic coordinates (40°N latitude). In formal writing, there is usually no space between the number and the symbol, though some style guides prefer a space before the letter that follows (72° F instead of 72°F).

If you are writing academic or technical papers, check your style guide — some require you to spell out the word "degrees" instead of using the symbol. In that case, you would write "72 degrees Fahrenheit" rather than "72°F".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the degree symbol in Google Docs or other programs?

Yes. On Windows, Alt + 0176 works in Google Docs, email, and most text fields. On Mac, Shift + Option + 8 works everywhere. If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can copy the symbol from Word and paste it into any other program.

What if I need a superscript zero instead of a degree symbol?

A superscript zero (⁰) looks similar but is not the same as a degree symbol (°). If you need a superscript zero, select the number 0, then press Ctrl + Shift + Plus (on Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Plus (on Mac). The degree symbol is the correct choice for temperature and angles.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol appear automatically when I type a temperature?

Yes, through AutoCorrect. Set up a custom shortcut so that typing something like "degf" automatically becomes "°F". Open Insert, click Symbol, find the degree symbol, click AutoCorrect, type your code in the Replace field, and click Add. Word will then convert that code every time you use it.

Why does the Alt + 0176 shortcut not work on my laptop?

Most laptops do not have a separate numeric keypad. If your laptop has Num Lock, try turning it on first — some laptops hide the numeric keypad on the regular number keys when Num Lock is active. If that does not work, use the Insert menu method or the Mac shortcut if you are on a Mac.