The degree symbol (°) on Windows, Mac, and Linux

The degree symbol does not have its own key on most keyboards, so you make it using a key combination or a special code. 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, the method depends on your desktop environment, but holding Ctrl+Shift+U, typing 00b0, then pressing Space or Enter usually works.

The reason keyboards lack a dedicated degree key is that the symbol is used less often than letters and numbers. Instead, manufacturers built it into the character map — a hidden layer of symbols you access through modifier keys (Alt, Shift, Option, Ctrl) or by holding keys down longer than normal.

If you type the degree symbol often — for temperature readings, angles, or geographic coordinates — it is worth memorizing the shortcut for your operating system. If you use it rarely, you can copy and paste it from this page or use your system's character map tool.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, press Alt+0176 using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row above the letters.
  • On Mac, press Shift+Option+8 to produce the degree symbol instantly.
  • On Linux, press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 00b0, then press Space or Enter.
  • If you do not have a numeric keypad, you can copy the symbol (°) from any web page and paste it where you need it.
  • Some applications like Google Docs and Microsoft Word also let you insert symbols through the Insert menu instead of using keyboard shortcuts.

Windows: Using Alt codes with the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad is the small cluster of number keys on the far right of most full-size keyboards. Laptop keyboards often do not have a dedicated numeric keypad, which makes this method harder on laptops. If your laptop has a numeric keypad layer (usually activated by holding Fn), you can still use Alt+0176, but you must use the Fn layer keys, not the number row.

To type the degree symbol on Windows: hold down the Alt key, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The symbol appears where your cursor is. The leading zero matters — typing just 176 will not work. If nothing appears, make sure Num Lock is on; a light on your keyboard or screen usually shows this.

This method works in most Windows programs: email clients, text editors, web browsers, and word processors. Some older or specialized applications may not recognize Alt codes, but the vast majority do.

Mac: Using Shift and Option together

Mac keyboards use the Option key (sometimes labeled Alt) instead of Alt. To type the degree symbol, hold Shift and Option at the same time, then press 8. Release all three keys together. The symbol appears instantly.

This shortcut works in nearly all Mac applications — Mail, Notes, web browsers, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and most text editors. Unlike Windows Alt codes, Mac key combinations work the same way across the system because macOS treats them as a unified input method.

If you are using a Mac keyboard connected to a Windows computer, the Option key still functions as Alt, so you can use Alt codes, but the Shift+Option+8 shortcut will not work.

Linux: Using Ctrl+Shift+U and Unicode input

Linux systems use Unicode input, a method that works across different desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, and others. To type the degree symbol, press Ctrl+Shift+U together, type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol), then press Space or Enter.

This method may not work in all Linux applications, particularly older ones or those that do not support Unicode input natively. If it does not work, check your system settings to confirm Unicode input is enabled. In GNOME, this is usually on by default; in KDE, you may need to enable it in System Settings under Input Method.

If Unicode input is not available or does not work, you can fall back to copying and pasting the symbol from a web page or using your system's character map application.

Using character map tools instead of keyboard shortcuts

Every major operating system includes a built-in character map or symbol picker that lets you find and copy the degree symbol without memorizing a shortcut. On Windows, search for "Character Map" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol in the grid, click it, then click Copy. On Mac, press Control+Command+Space to open the emoji and symbol picker, search for "degree", and click the symbol to insert it. On Linux, the Character Map application is usually in your applications menu under Accessories.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works reliably on any system and does not require you to remember codes or key combinations. It is useful if you type the degree symbol only occasionally or if keyboard shortcuts are not working in a particular application.

Copying and pasting the degree symbol

The simplest method if you do not want to learn a shortcut: copy the degree symbol from anywhere you find it and paste it into your document. You can copy it from this page (°), from a search result, or from any document that already contains it. Highlight the symbol, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), click where you want it in your document, and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac).

This method works everywhere — email, text messages, social media, forms, spreadsheets — because you are not using a keyboard shortcut at all. You are using your system's clipboard, which every application understands. The downside is that it requires you to have the symbol available somewhere to copy from, and it is slower than typing a shortcut if you need the symbol repeatedly.

Why different operating systems use different shortcuts

Windows, Mac, and Linux each developed their own input systems before modern standards like Unicode became widespread. Windows uses Alt codes, a legacy system from the DOS era that maps numbers to characters. Mac uses key combinations that feel more natural on Apple keyboards. Linux adopted Unicode input, which is more flexible and works across many languages and symbols.

These differences exist because each system was designed independently, and changing them now would break millions of existing documents and workflows. The good news is that once you learn the shortcut for your system, it works consistently across almost all applications on that system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt+0176 not work on my Windows laptop?

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. If your laptop has Fn keys, look for a Num Lock key (usually marked with a lock symbol) and press Fn+Num Lock to enable the numeric keypad layer. Then try Alt+0176 using the Fn layer. If your laptop has no numeric keypad at all, use the character map tool or copy and paste instead.

Does the degree symbol work in Google Docs and Microsoft Word?

Yes. All keyboard shortcuts (Alt+0176 on Windows, Shift+Option+8 on Mac, Ctrl+Shift+U then 00b0 on Linux) work in both Google Docs and Microsoft Word. Both applications also have Insert menus where you can search for and insert the degree symbol without a shortcut.

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

On most phones and tablets, hold down the zero key (0) on the keyboard and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. Tap it to insert it. This works on both iPhone and Android in most applications.

What if I need the degree symbol in a password or username?

Use the same keyboard shortcut or method you normally would. The degree symbol works in password fields and text input boxes just like any other character. Some websites may not accept it due to their own restrictions, but the symbol itself is a valid character.

Is there a way to make the degree symbol my default without using a shortcut every time?

Not easily on most systems. You could create a text replacement shortcut (like typing "deg" and having it auto-replace with °) in your system settings or in applications like Microsoft Word, but this requires setup for each device or application. For most users, learning the keyboard shortcut is faster than setting up replacements.