The fastest way depends on your device

The degree symbol (°) is not on your keyboard as a dedicated key, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut. The method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook, and whether you are typing in a document, email, or web form. Once you know your device's shortcut, it becomes automatic.

You do not need special software or to hunt through menus. Every method here works in any program — Word, Gmail, Google Docs, text editors, or web browsers. The symbol itself is identical no matter how you make it.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to produce the degree symbol.
  • On Mac, press Shift + Option + 8 to type the degree symbol in any program.
  • On Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 00b0 and press Space or Enter.
  • If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process or copy-paste the symbol from the web.
  • The degree symbol works in all programs — documents, emails, spreadsheets, and web forms — without any special setup.

Windows: Using the Alt code

On Windows, the degree symbol uses an Alt code — a number combination you hold Alt while typing. The code for the degree symbol is 0176, and you must use the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top.

Here is the exact sequence: Hold down the Alt key. While holding Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad. Release Alt. The degree symbol appears when ready. If nothing happens, make sure Num Lock is turned on — a light on your keyboard or screen will show this — and that you are using the keypad, not the top row numbers.

This works in Word, Outlook, Google Docs, Gmail, Notepad, and any other program. The symbol appears wherever your cursor is blinking. If you type this combination often, you can write it down or take a screenshot of these instructions to keep nearby.

Windows: If you have no numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad. If your keyboard has no separate number pad on the right, you have two reliable alternatives.

The first is to use Character Map, a built-in Windows process. Press the Windows key, type "character map," and open the process. Scroll down or search for "degree" in the search box. Click the degree symbol, click Copy, then paste it into your document using Ctrl + V. This takes longer than a shortcut but works every time.

The second is to search for "degree symbol" in your web browser, find one on a website, copy it, and paste it into your document. This is the fastest if you are already online. Once you have pasted it once, you can copy that symbol from your document and reuse it.

Mac: Using Shift + Option + 8

On Mac, the degree symbol shortcut is Shift + Option + 8. This combination works in every Mac process — Pages, Word, Mail, Notes, Google Docs, or any text field in a web browser.

Press and hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. Release all three keys. The degree symbol appears. Unlike the Windows Alt code, you do not need to hold the keys down while typing a number — it is a single three-key press.

If the symbol does not appear, check that you are using the Option key (also labeled Alt on some Mac keyboards), not the Command key. The Option key is to the left of the Command key. Once you use this shortcut a few times, it becomes muscle memory.

Chromebook: Using Ctrl + Shift + U

Chromebook uses a Unicode input method to type special characters. For the degree symbol, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter.

The sequence is: Press Ctrl + Shift + U together. Type 00b0 (that is zero, zero, b, zero). Press Space or Enter. The degree symbol appears. This works in Google Docs, Gmail, any text field on the web, and most Chromebook applications.

If this does not work, your Chromebook may have Unicode input disabled in settings. Go to Settings, then Languages and Input, and make sure Unicode input is turned on. After that, the Ctrl + Shift + U method will work everywhere.

Using copy-paste when you forget the shortcut

If you cannot remember the shortcut for your device, the fastest backup is to copy the symbol from somewhere else. Search "degree symbol" in Google, copy the ° from the search results, and paste it into your document. You now have it in your document and can copy it again the next time you need it.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but faster than hunting through menus, and it works on any device. Many people keep a document with commonly used symbols — degree, copyright, trademark, em dash — saved for quick reference.

Where the degree symbol is used

The degree symbol appears in temperature (72°F or 25°C), angles and geometry (a 90° angle), and geographic coordinates (40°N latitude). In professional writing, it is also used in some contexts for ordinal numbers, though this is less common in modern English.

Once you have the shortcut memorized for your device, you can type it as fast as any other character. The symbol itself is the same across all programs and devices — it is only the method to produce it that changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol work in all programs?

Yes. The degree symbol works in Word, Google Docs, Gmail, spreadsheets, web forms, text editors, and any other program where you can type. It is a standard character that every device and program recognizes.

What if the Alt code does not work on my Windows computer?

Make sure Num Lock is on — you should see a light on your keyboard or screen. Use the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top. If you still have no luck, use Character Map or copy-paste the symbol from the web instead.

Can I make the degree symbol bigger or smaller?

The degree symbol is a character, so it changes size when you change the font size of the text around it. You cannot make it larger or smaller independently. If it looks too small, increase the font size of the entire line.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol without memorizing a code?

Yes. You can search for "degree symbol" online, copy it, and paste it into your document. You can also save it in a document for future use. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but requires no memorization.

Do I need to do anything special to use the degree symbol in a spreadsheet?

No. The same keyboard shortcut for your device works in Excel, Google Sheets, or any other spreadsheet. Type it into a cell the same way you would in a document.