The fastest way: Alt code 0176

Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The degree symbol (°) will appear where your cursor was. This works in Word on Windows computers.

The numeric keypad is the cluster of number keys on the right side of most full-size keyboards. If you are using a laptop without a separate numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock first — usually by holding Fn and pressing Num Lock or a key marked with a lock icon.

This method is the fastest once you remember the code, and it works consistently in Word, email, and most other programs on Windows.

Key Takeaways

  • Alt+0176 on the numeric keypad is the quickest method on Windows and works in Word and most other programs.
  • On Mac, hold Option and press Shift+8 to type the degree symbol directly.
  • Word's Insert menu offers a Symbol dialog where you can search for the degree symbol and insert it without memorizing a code.
  • You can create a keyboard shortcut in Word so that typing a specific combination of characters automatically becomes the degree symbol.
  • If you use the degree symbol often, saving it as an AutoCorrect entry means typing a short code like "deg" will expand to °.

Using Word's Insert menu for any computer

Click the Insert tab at the top of Word, then click Symbol (usually on the right side of the ribbon). A dropdown menu appears. If you see the degree symbol in the small list that drops down, click it. If not, click More Symbols at the bottom of that dropdown.

The Symbol dialog box opens. In the search field at the bottom, type degree and press Enter. The degree symbol appears in the list. Click it once to select it, then click the Insert button. Close the dialog when you are done.

This method works on both Windows and Mac, and you do not need to remember any codes. The downside is that it takes more clicks than the Alt code, so it is slower if you type the degree symbol often.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On a Mac, hold Option and press Shift+8 at the same time. The degree symbol appears immediately. This is the Mac equivalent of the Alt code method and works in Word, email, and most other programs.

If you forget the combination, the Insert menu method works on Mac the same way it does on Windows — click Insert, then Symbol, search for degree, and click Insert.

Creating a custom keyboard shortcut in Word

If you type the degree symbol regularly, you can set up Word to insert it when you press a specific key combination. Click Insert, then Symbol, then More Symbols. Find the degree symbol in the list and click it once.

Click the Shortcut Key button near the bottom left of the dialog. A small window appears asking you to press the key combination you want to use. Press the keys you want — for example, Ctrl+Alt+D. Word tells you whether that combination is already in use. If it is not, click Assign, then Close. From now on, pressing that combination in Word will insert the degree symbol.

This shortcut only works in Word, not in other programs. If you want the same shortcut to work everywhere on your computer, you would need to use your operating system's keyboard settings instead, which varies by Windows version and Mac OS version.

Using AutoCorrect to expand a short code

You can tell Word to replace a short code with the degree symbol automatically. Click File, then Options (on Mac, click Word in the menu bar, then Preferences). Find Proofing in the left sidebar, then click AutoCorrect Options.

In the AutoCorrect dialog, type a short code in the Replacedeg. In the With field, type or paste the degree symbol (°). Click Add, then OK. Now whenever you type deg followed by a space or punctuation mark, Word replaces it with °.

This method is useful if you type the degree symbol often but do not want to memorize a keyboard shortcut. The tradeoff is that the code you choose must not be a real word or abbreviation you use in your writing, or Word will replace it every time.

Copying and pasting the symbol

If you already have a degree symbol somewhere — in an email, a web page, or another document — you can copy it and paste it into Word. Highlight the symbol, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy, click in your Word document where you want it, and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V) to paste.

This is not the fastest method for a single symbol, but it can be useful if you are working from a template or reference document that already contains the symbol you need.

Why the degree symbol matters in Word

The degree symbol is essential for writing temperatures (98.6°F), angles (a 45° angle), or geographic coordinates. Using the actual symbol instead of typing the letter O or the number 0 makes your document look professional and ensures the symbol prints and displays correctly on any device.

Word treats the degree symbol as a single character, so it stays attached to the number before it and does not break across lines the way a typed letter might. This is especially important in scientific, technical, or academic writing where precision matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt+0176 not work on my laptop?

Laptops often do not have a separate numeric keypad. You may need to enable Num Lock first by holding Fn and pressing the Num Lock key (usually marked with a lock icon). Some laptops require you to hold Fn while typing the numbers on the number pad layer. If this does not work, use the Insert menu method instead, which works on any computer.

Can I use the degree symbol in a file name?

Most operating systems allow the degree symbol in file names, but some older systems or cloud storage services may have restrictions. If you are naming a file that will be shared across different computers or uploaded to a server, it is safer to use a regular character like a hyphen or underscore instead.

Does the degree symbol look the same in all fonts?

The degree symbol looks slightly different depending on the font you are using, but it is always recognizable. If you change the font of your document, the degree symbol changes with it. If the symbol looks too small or too large in your chosen font, you can select it and adjust the font size manually.

What if I need the degree symbol but I am not using Word?

The Alt+0176 method works in most Windows programs including email, web browsers, and text editors. On Mac, Option+Shift+8 works the same way. If neither works in the program you are using, copy the symbol from Word or a web page and paste it where you need it.

Can I make the degree symbol appear automatically when I type a temperature?

Yes, using AutoCorrect. For example, you could set up Word so that typing "98.6f" automatically becomes "98.6°F". Set up the AutoCorrect entry with "98.6f" in the Replace field and "98.6°F" in the With field. This works only if you always type temperatures the same way, so it is most useful for templates or documents with a consistent format.