The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on any standard keyboard, but you can type it in seconds using a keyboard shortcut. 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 Space or Enter.

If your keyboard has no numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: the Character Map application. Linux users can also open the character map tool (called Characters or Gnome Character Map depending on your distribution) and search for "degree" to insert it directly into any text field.

The method you choose depends on whether you type the degree symbol often, whether your keyboard has a numeric keypad, and which operating system you use. The shortcuts above are fastest for occasional use. If you type it regularly, you may want to set up a text replacement or use a dedicated app.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176 on the numeric keypad, or by opening Character Map and copying it.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option, then press 8 to produce the degree symbol instantly.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U, then 00B0, then press Space or Enter.
  • Laptops without a numeric keypad can use Character Map on Windows or the Characters app on Mac and Linux instead of keyboard shortcuts.
  • If you type the degree symbol often, setting up a text replacement rule in your operating system saves time over repeated shortcuts.

Windows: Alt code and Character Map

The numeric keypad Alt code is the fastest method on Windows if your keyboard has one. Press and hold Alt, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top). Release Alt, and the degree symbol appears. The leading zero is required — typing just 176 will not work.

If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, open Character Map by pressing Windows key + R, typing charmap, and pressing Enter. In the window that opens, search for "degree" in the search box at the bottom. Click the degree symbol in the list, click Copy, then paste it into your document with Ctrl + V. You can also scroll through the entire character set manually, but searching is faster.

Character Map also lets you see the Alt code for any character. Select the degree symbol, and the code "0176" appears at the bottom of the window. This is useful if you want to learn other Alt codes for symbols you use often.

Mac: Shift + Option + 8

On Mac, the degree symbol shortcut is consistent across all keyboards. Hold Shift and Option (also called Alt) at the same time, then press 8. The degree symbol appears immediately. This works in any text field — email, documents, web forms, or notes.

If you forget the shortcut, you can also open the Character Viewer by pressing Control + Command + Space. Search for "degree" and double-click the symbol to insert it. The Character Viewer also shows you the keyboard shortcut for any symbol, so you can learn it for future use.

Linux: Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00B0

On most Linux distributions, hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter U (uppercase or lowercase). Release the keys, then type 00B0 without holding anything. Press Space or Enter, and the degree symbol appears. This method works in most text editors and web browsers.

If the Ctrl + Shift + U method does not work in your application, open the Characters app (also called Gnome Character Map on some distributions). Search for "degree," select it, and click the Copy button or double-click to insert it directly into your active text field.

Setting up text replacement for frequent use

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for temperature readings, angles, or coordinates — setting up a text replacement rule is faster than using a shortcut each time. On Windows, open Settings, go to System > Clipboard > Advanced, and enable "Suggested actions." Then open Notepad, type a short code like "deg" followed by a space, and replace it with the degree symbol. Some third-party apps like AutoHotkey also let you create custom replacements.

On Mac, open System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, click the plus button, type your shortcut code in the "Replace" field (like "deg"), paste the degree symbol in the "With" field, and click Add. From then on, typing "deg" followed by a space automatically replaces it with °.

On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment. GNOME users can install IBus or Fcitx and create custom input methods. KDE users can configure text shortcuts in System Settings > Input Devices > Keyboard. For a universal solution across all applications, AutoKey (a Linux equivalent of AutoHotkey) lets you define text replacements that work everywhere.

Copy and paste from a reference

The simplest method if you do not want to memorize a shortcut is to keep the degree symbol in a text file or note on your computer. Type or paste it once, then copy and paste it whenever you need it. Create a file called "symbols.txt" in your Documents folder, paste the degree symbol into it, and save it. Open the file whenever you need the symbol, copy it, and paste it into your work.

You can also bookmark a webpage with common symbols, or use an online character reference like Unicode.org. Search for "degree symbol," copy it from the page, and paste it into your document. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but requires no memorization.

Why the degree symbol is not on the keyboard

The degree symbol is not a dedicated key because it is used less often than letters, numbers, and punctuation. Standard keyboards are designed around the most common characters in English and other major languages. Symbols like the degree sign, copyright mark, and mathematical operators are accessed through shortcuts or special menus instead.

Different operating systems use different Unicode values and input methods for the same symbol. Windows uses Alt codes, Mac uses key combinations, and Linux uses Unicode input. This fragmentation exists because each system was designed independently, and changing it now would break existing workflows for millions of users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Alt code method work on a laptop without a numeric keypad?

No. The Alt + 0176 method requires a numeric keypad, which most laptops do not have. Use Character Map instead, or enable Num Lock and use the number keys on the right side of your keyboard if your laptop has them. If neither option works, use the Character Map application.

Will the keyboard shortcut work in all programs?

The shortcuts work in most text editors, web browsers, and office applications. Some older or specialized programs may not recognize them. If the shortcut does not work, open Character Map or the Characters app and copy the symbol directly instead.

Can I type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

Yes. On iPhone, hold down the zero key (0) until a menu appears with the degree symbol, then tap it. On Android, open the keyboard, switch to the symbols view, and look for the degree symbol — its location varies by keyboard app. On iPad, use the same method as iPhone.

Is there a way to type it without memorizing a code?

Yes. Character Map on Windows and the Characters app on Mac and Linux let you search for "degree" and copy the symbol without any code. You can also set up text replacement so typing a short word like "deg" automatically inserts the symbol.

What if I need other special symbols too?

Character Map and the Characters app show thousands of symbols organized by category. You can search for any symbol by name, see its Alt code or Unicode value, and copy it. Learning the Alt codes for symbols you use often is faster than opening the app each time.