The fastest way depends on your operating system

The degree symbol (°) is not a dedicated key on most keyboards, so you have to build it using a combination of keys or copy it from elsewhere. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Shift and Option together and press 8. On Linux, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U, type 00b0, and press Space or Enter.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map application to find and copy the degree symbol, or type it directly in many programs by holding Alt Gr (or Ctrl+Alt on some keyboards) and pressing the key marked with the degree symbol if your keyboard layout includes one.

The Mac method is the shortest once you memorize it. The Windows Alt code works everywhere but requires the numeric keypad. If you type the degree symbol often, consider setting up a keyboard shortcut in your operating system's settings so you can type it with a custom combination you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users with a numeric keypad can type the degree symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0176, then releasing Alt.
  • Mac users hold Shift and Option together and press 8 to produce the degree symbol.
  • Linux users hold Ctrl and Shift, type U00b0, then press Space to insert the degree symbol.
  • Laptops without a numeric keypad can use Windows Character Map or copy the symbol from a web search result.
  • Most operating systems let you create a custom keyboard shortcut for symbols you use regularly.

Windows: Using the Alt code on a desktop keyboard

The numeric keypad is the standard route on Windows. Make sure Num Lock is on — the Num Lock key is usually in the top left of the numeric keypad, and a light on your keyboard or screen will indicate when it is active. Then hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), and release Alt. The degree symbol appears immediately.

The order matters: Alt must be held down the entire time you type the numbers. If you release Alt before you finish typing, nothing happens. If you type the numbers too slowly, some systems may time out and insert nothing. Practice the motion a few times and it becomes automatic.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, or if the Alt code does not work in the program you are using, open the Character Map application. Press the Windows key, type "character map," and open the result. Scroll down or search for "degree" in the search box. Click the degree symbol, click Copy, then paste it into your document with Ctrl+V.

Mac: The Shift+Option+8 shortcut

On a Mac, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. This is faster than the Windows method once you remember it, and it works on any Mac keyboard layout. The degree symbol appears as soon as you release the keys.

If that combination does not work, your keyboard layout may be different. Open System Preferences, go to Keyboard, then Input Sources, and check which layout is active. Some non-English layouts use different key combinations. You can also use the Character Viewer: hold Control and Space together, search for "degree," and click the symbol to insert it.

Linux: The Ctrl+Shift+U method

On most Linux distributions, hold Ctrl and Shift together, then type the letter U. Release those keys, type 00b0 (the Unicode code point for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter. The symbol appears in place of what you typed.

This method works in most text editors and web browsers, but some applications do not support Unicode input this way. If it does not work, open your system's character map or symbol viewer — the name and location vary by distribution — search for "degree," and copy the symbol to paste it where you need it.

Copying the degree symbol from the web

If none of the keyboard shortcuts work in the program you are using, the simplest workaround is to search for "degree symbol" in your web browser, find one in the results, select it, copy it with Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), and paste it into your document. This takes about ten seconds and works everywhere.

You can also keep a text file on your computer with the degree symbol in it, so you can open that file, copy the symbol, and paste it whenever you need it. Some people create a document called "Symbols" and fill it with characters they use often — the degree symbol, the copyright symbol, the em dash, and so on.

Setting up a custom keyboard shortcut

If you type the degree symbol regularly, you can create a custom shortcut so you do not have to remember the Alt code or Shift+Option combination. On Windows, open Settings, go to Ease of Access, then Keyboard, and turn on the toggle for "Use the On-Screen Keyboard." Open the On-Screen Keyboard, right-click the degree symbol in Character Map, and follow the prompts to assign a shortcut. The exact steps vary by Windows version.

On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Keyboard, then Text, and click the plus button to add a new text replacement. Type the degree symbol in the "Replace" field and a shortcut like ":deg" in the "With" field. From then on, typing :deg will automatically insert the degree symbol.

On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment. GNOME and KDE both have keyboard shortcut settings in their preferences. Open your system settings, search for "keyboard shortcuts," and look for an option to add a custom shortcut. Assign the degree symbol to a key combination you choose.

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 marks. Keyboards have a limited number of keys, so manufacturers prioritize the characters most people type every day. The degree symbol appears mainly in scientific writing, temperature measurements, and angle notation — specialized uses that do not justify a dedicated key.

The same logic applies to other symbols like the copyright mark, the registered trademark symbol, and the euro sign. Operating systems provide multiple ways to access these characters — Alt codes, keyboard shortcuts, character maps, and Unicode input — so you can choose the method that fits your workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Alt code work in all Windows programs?

The Alt code works in most programs, but some older or specialized applications do not support it. If 0176 does not produce the degree symbol, try using Character Map instead. Web browsers, word processors, and text editors almost always support the Alt code method.

Can I type the degree symbol on a laptop without a numeric keypad?

Yes. Use Character Map on Windows, the Character Viewer on Mac, or copy the symbol from a web search. Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad accessed by holding Fn and pressing number keys, but this is less common and varies by manufacturer. Character Map is usually faster.

What if I want to type degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Type the degree symbol using any of the methods above, then immediately type the letter C or F. For example, "25°C" or "72°F". Some word processors have autocorrect features that will convert "25C" to "25°C" automatically if you enable that setting.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol on a phone or tablet?

On most phones, hold down the 0 key on the number pad and a menu of symbols appears, including the degree symbol. On tablets with a connected keyboard, use the same shortcuts as your computer — Shift+Option+8 on iPad, Alt+0176 on Android tablets with a numeric keypad. On the on-screen keyboard, search for the degree symbol in your keyboard settings or use copy-paste.

Why does the Alt code not work in my web browser?

Some web browsers and text input fields do not accept Alt codes because they interpret the Alt key as a command for the browser itself. If this happens, use Character Map to copy the symbol instead, or type it in a text editor first and then paste it into the web form.