How to Make a Degree Sign in Microsoft Word (Every Method Explained)

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 writing. If you're in Microsoft Word and need it, you have several reliable options. Which one makes the most sense depends on how often you need it, what version of Word you're using, and whether you prefer keyboard shortcuts or menu-driven tools.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard

Standard keyboards follow a layout originally designed for typewriters, where space was at a premium and special characters were left out. The degree sign (°, Unicode character U+00B0) lives in the Latin-1 Supplement block of Unicode — meaning it's universally recognized by modern operating systems and word processors, but it requires a deliberate input method to produce.

Word handles this well. There are at least four distinct ways to insert it, each with trade-offs.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest for Regular Use)

Microsoft Word has a built-in shortcut specifically for the degree symbol:

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

This two-step combination triggers Word's autocorrect/special character shortcut system. The @ key on most keyboards shares a key with 2, so you're pressing Ctrl + Shift + 2 followed by a space.

🎯 This shortcut works in Word for Windows across most modern versions (Word 2016, 2019, Microsoft 365). It does not work outside of Word — if you switch to a browser or email client, this shortcut won't carry over.

Method 2: Unicode Entry (Works Without Menus)

If you know the Unicode code point, Word lets you type it directly:

1. Type 00B0 (the Unicode hex code for the degree symbol)
2. Immediately press Alt + X

Word converts the code into the character on the spot. This is fast once you memorize the code, and it works for thousands of other special characters using the same pattern. It's especially useful for power users who regularly insert symbols without lifting their hands from the keyboard.

Note: This method is Windows-specific and works in Word but not in most other applications.

Method 3: Insert Symbol Menu (Most Visual, No Memorization Required)

For users who don't want to memorize shortcuts:

1. Click the Insert tab in the ribbon
2. On the far right, click Symbol, then More Symbols
3. In the dialog box, set Font to "(normal text)" and Subset to Latin-1 Supplement
4. Find and click the degree symbol (°)
5. Click Insert

This method works on both Windows and Mac versions of Word, and it doesn't require remembering anything. The Symbol dialog also shows you the keyboard shortcut associated with any character — so it doubles as a way to learn shortcuts over time.

Once you've inserted a symbol this way, it appears in the Recently Used Symbols section at the bottom of the Symbol dropdown, making future insertions faster.

Method 4: Alt Code (Windows Only, Works Outside Word Too)

On Windows, holding Alt and typing a numeric code on the number pad produces special characters:

• Hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, release Alt

The degree symbol appears. This method works across most Windows applications — not just Word — which makes it useful if you regularly need the symbol in other programs like Excel, Notepad, or Outlook.

Important variables:

• You need a dedicated numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard)
• Num Lock must be on
• Laptop keyboards without a numpad often can't use this method natively, though some have an Fn key workaround

Method 5: AutoCorrect (Best for High-Frequency Use)

If you type degree symbols constantly — like in a document full of temperature data — you can set up an AutoCorrect rule so Word replaces a custom text string with ° automatically:

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options
2. In the Replace field, type a trigger string (e.g., deg)
3. In the With field, paste the degree symbol °
4. Click Add, then OK

After this, every time you type deg followed by a space, Word replaces it with °. You can use any trigger string that won't conflict with normal words.

Mac Users: A Different Shortcut

On Word for Mac, the keyboard shortcut landscape differs:

• The standard Mac shortcut for the degree symbol is Option + Shift + 8
• This works system-wide on macOS — in Word, Safari, Notes, and most other apps
• The Insert → Symbol menu path works the same way as on Windows

Quick Comparison

The Variable That Changes Everything

Each method works — but which one is worth learning depends heavily on your situation. Someone writing a one-page document who just needs the symbol once has a completely different calculus than a researcher inserting degree values into hundreds of rows of data. A user on a desktop with a full keyboard faces different constraints than someone on a compact laptop. And the version of Word (desktop vs. web-based Microsoft 365 in a browser) affects which shortcuts respond at all.

The right method isn't universal. It's specific to your keyboard, your platform, how often the symbol comes up in your work, and how much you're willing to invest in setting up something like AutoCorrect. 🔍 Once you know what your actual usage pattern looks like, the choice usually becomes obvious.