The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not on most keyboards, but you can type it in seconds once you know the method for your system. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0176 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together, then press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, then type 00B0 and press Enter or Space.

If you do not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process built into Windows, search for "degree", and copy it to paste where you need it. This is slower than the keyboard shortcut but works on any Windows machine.

The method you choose depends on how often you type the symbol and whether your keyboard has a numeric keypad. If you type it once a month, copying from Character Map is fine. If you type it daily, learning the keyboard shortcut saves real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option, then press 8 to produce the degree symbol.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then 00B0, then press Enter or Space.
  • Windows users without a numeric keypad can open Character Map, search for "degree", and copy the symbol to paste it where needed.
  • Laptops often lack numeric keypads, so the Character Map method or copy-paste from another source is usually faster than trying to use Alt codes.

Windows: Using the numeric keypad shortcut

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad on the right side, this is the quickest method. Hold down the Alt key, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad — not the numbers across the top of your keyboard. The degree symbol appears when you release Alt.

This works in almost every Windows process: email, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and text editors. The numeric keypad must be active (Num Lock on), which is usually the default. If the numbers do not appear when you type, press Num Lock once and try again.

The code 0176 is specific to the degree symbol. Other symbols use different codes — for example, 0169 for copyright (©) and 0174 for registered trademark (®). If you use these symbols often, writing down the codes saves you from searching each time.

Windows: Using Character Map when you have no numeric keypad

Laptops and compact keyboards often omit the numeric keypad entirely, making Alt codes impossible. Open the Character Map process by pressing the Windows key, typing "character map", and pressing Enter. The process window shows a grid of symbols.

In the search box at the bottom, type "degree" and press Enter. The degree symbol appears in the grid. Double-click it, then click Copy. Now go to the document or field where you need it and paste (Ctrl+V). This takes about 10 seconds the first time and becomes faster with practice.

Character Map stays open while you work, so if you need the symbol again in the same session, you can skip the search and just double-click and copy again. Close the window when you are done.

Mac: The Shift-Option-8 shortcut

On Mac, hold Shift and Option (the key also labeled Alt) at the same time, then press 8. The degree symbol appears when ready. This works in any Mac process — Mail, Pages, Google Docs, web browsers, and text editors.

The shortcut is consistent across all Macs and does not depend on keyboard layout or whether you have a numeric keypad. If you use a Mac keyboard, this is always the fastest method.

If the symbol does not appear, check that you are holding both Shift and Option. A common mistake is holding only Option, which produces a different character. Once you have done it a few times, the combination becomes automatic.

Linux: The Ctrl-Shift-U method

On Linux systems, hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter U. Release those keys, then type 00B0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol). Press Enter or Space, and the symbol appears.

This method works in most Linux applications and text editors. Some applications may require you to release Ctrl and Shift before typing the code, while others accept the code while you hold them. If it does not work the first way, try releasing the modifier keys first.

The Unicode method is more flexible than operating-system-specific shortcuts because it works across different Linux distributions and desktop environments. If you switch between Linux and another system, learning this code helps you type the symbol on any Linux machine.

Copy and paste from a web search

If you forget the shortcut or your keyboard does not support it, the simplest backup is to search for "degree symbol" in your web browser, copy it from the search results, and paste it where you need it. This takes about 15 seconds and works on any device with internet access.

Many websites display the symbol in their search results or in a dedicated page. You can also keep a text file on your computer with commonly used symbols — degree, copyright, trademark, and others — and copy from that file whenever you need one. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but faster than searching every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try using Character Map instead: press the Windows key, type "character map", search for "degree", and copy the symbol. Alternatively, some laptops let you hold Fn and use the number keys as a numeric keypad, but this varies by manufacturer.

Does the degree symbol work in all applications?

Yes, the keyboard shortcuts work in email, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and most text editors. Some specialized software or older applications may not recognize it, but this is rare. If it does not appear, try the copy-paste method instead.

Can I create a keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?

On Windows, you can use AutoCorrect in Microsoft Word to replace a short code (like "deg") with the degree symbol. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and add a replacement. On Linux, this depends on your desktop environment, but most support custom keyboard shortcuts through settings.

Is there a way to type it on a phone or tablet?

On iPhone, hold the 0 key and swipe to the degree symbol. On Android, the method varies by keyboard app — try holding the 0 key or accessing the symbols menu. On both, you can also copy the symbol from a web search and paste it into your message or document.

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

Use the keyboard shortcut for your system — it is faster than copy-paste once you memorize it. If you type the symbol dozens of times, set up an AutoCorrect rule (Windows Word or Mac) to replace a short code with the symbol, so you type fewer keys each time.