How to Insert a Degree Symbol in Microsoft Word

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't live on any standard keyboard key — yet it shows up constantly in temperature readings, geographic coordinates, angles, and scientific notation. Microsoft Word gives you several ways to insert it, and the method that works best depends on how often you need it, what kind of keyboard you're using, and how comfortable you are with keyboard shortcuts.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard

Standard keyboard layouts were designed around the most frequently typed characters. The degree symbol didn't make the cut. That said, it's encoded in Unicode as U+00B0 and in ASCII as character 248, which means every major operating system and application — including Word — fully supports it. The gap is just in how you access it.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

The fastest method for most Windows users is a simple key combination built into Word:

Press Ctrl + Shift + @, then press the spacebar.

This is a native Word shortcut, meaning it only works inside Microsoft Word — not in browsers, email clients, or other apps. If you're typing frequently and want speed without breaking your flow, this is the one to learn.

Alternatively, if you have a numeric keypad on your keyboard:

1. Hold down Alt
2. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row)
3. Release Alt

The degree symbol appears immediately. Note that this requires Num Lock to be on, and it won't work using the top-row number keys — it must be the dedicated numeric keypad.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut (Mac)

On a Mac, inserting the degree symbol is even simpler and works system-wide, not just in Word:

Press Option + Shift + 8

This works in Word for Mac, Pages, Gmail, browsers — essentially anywhere you're typing. Mac users who need the degree symbol regularly usually find this the most convenient option.

Method 3: Insert Symbol Menu

If shortcuts aren't your preference, Word's built-in Symbol menu gives you a point-and-click option:

1. Place your cursor where you want the symbol
2. Go to the Insert tab in the ribbon
3. Click Symbol (far right of the ribbon)
4. Select More Symbols from the dropdown
5. In the dialog box, set the font to Normal Text and look for the degree symbol (°), or type 00B0 in the "Character code" field and change the "from" dropdown to Unicode (hex)
6. Click Insert

This method is slower but useful if you're inserting a symbol you don't recognize by shortcut, or if you're working with a non-standard keyboard layout.

Method 4: AutoCorrect

If you type degree measurements constantly — say, you're writing weather reports, recipe temperatures, or technical documentation — you can set Word to automatically replace a text string with the degree symbol:

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options
2. In the "Replace" field, type something like (deg)
3. In the "With" field, insert the actual degree symbol (paste it or use the Symbol menu)
4. Click Add, then OK

From that point on, every time you type (deg) followed by a space, Word replaces it with °. This approach rewards users who do repetitive technical writing and want to avoid reaching for the mouse or memorizing shortcuts. ⌨️

Method 5: Copy and Paste

Straightforward but worth mentioning: you can simply copy the degree symbol from any source — a previous document, a website, a character map tool — and paste it wherever you need it. On Windows, the Character Map app (search for it in the Start menu) lets you browse and copy any Unicode character. On Mac, Character Viewer (accessed via Control + Command + Space) does the same.

This is often the approach used by people who only need the symbol occasionally and don't want to memorize anything.

Comparing Your Options at a Glance 📋

A Note on Formatting: Degree Symbol vs. Superscript

One common mistake: using a superscript letter "o" instead of the actual degree symbol. Visually they can look similar at small font sizes, but they're different characters. The real degree symbol (°) is encoded correctly, copies cleanly into other documents and systems, and won't cause formatting problems when your file is exported to PDF, HTML, or shared across platforms. Using a fake workaround can create issues in data handling, accessibility tools, and code environments.

If you're working in a professional or technical context, always use the actual Unicode character.

When Your Shortcut Doesn't Work 🔧

A few things can interfere with these shortcuts:

• Num Lock is off — the Alt + numpad method won't work
• Laptop without a numpad — some laptops have a numpad embedded in the letter keys, activated by a function key, which can complicate Alt codes
• Custom keyboard remapping software — tools like AutoHotkey or system-level accessibility settings can intercept key combinations
• Word version differences — older versions of Word for Mac handle shortcuts differently than the Microsoft 365 version

Which method suits you depends on how often you need the symbol, what device you're on, whether you have a numeric keypad, and how deeply you're willing to configure your workflow to handle it automatically.