How to Add a Degree Symbol in Microsoft Word

Typing a degree symbol (°) in Microsoft Word isn't immediately obvious — it's not sitting on your keyboard like a comma or a period. But once you know the available methods, inserting it becomes quick and repeatable. The right approach depends on how often you need it, what version of Word you're using, and whether you're on Windows or Mac.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Standard Keyboards

Standard QWERTY keyboards were designed around alphabetical and common punctuation characters. Symbols like °, ©, and ™ are part of extended Unicode character sets — they exist in virtually every modern font, but they don't get dedicated keys. Microsoft Word provides several ways to access them, ranging from keyboard shortcuts to menu-based insertion.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

The fastest method on Windows is a keyboard shortcut:

Press Alt + 0176 using the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard).

• Hold down Alt
• Type 0176 on the numeric keypad
• Release Alt

The ° symbol appears at your cursor position. This works because Windows uses Alt codes — a legacy system that maps numeric combinations to Unicode characters. If your keyboard doesn't have a dedicated numeric keypad (common on laptops), you may need to enable Num Lock and use the embedded numpad on certain keys, or use a different method.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut (Mac)

On a Mac, the shortcut is simpler and doesn't require a numeric keypad:

Press Option + Shift + 8

This works in Microsoft Word for Mac as well as most other Mac applications. It's consistent across macOS versions and doesn't depend on Num Lock or any special keyboard mode.

Method 3: Word's Built-In Shortcut

Microsoft Word has its own internal keyboard shortcut that works on both Windows and Mac versions of the application:

Press Ctrl + Shift + @ followed immediately by the spacebar

This is a Word-specific shortcut — it won't work in other programs. It's worth memorizing if you spend most of your time working inside Word documents.

Method 4: Insert Symbol Menu 🔍

If you prefer a visual approach or only need the degree symbol occasionally:

1. Place your cursor where you want the symbol
2. Go to the Insert tab in the ribbon
3. Click Symbol (usually on the far right)
4. Select More Symbols...
5. In the dialog box, set Font to your current font (or leave it on "normal text")
6. Set Subset to Latin-1 Supplement
7. Find and click the degree symbol °
8. Click Insert

From this same dialog, you can also note the shortcut key displayed at the bottom, which confirms the shortcut is assigned to that symbol in your version of Word.

Method 5: AutoCorrect (Best for Frequent Use)

If you regularly type temperatures, coordinates, or angles, setting up an AutoCorrect entry saves the most time long-term.

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options (Windows) or Word → Preferences → AutoCorrect (Mac)
2. In the Replace field, type a trigger like (deg)
3. In the With field, paste or insert the ° character
4. Click Add, then OK

From that point forward, typing (deg) in any Word document will automatically convert to °. The trigger text you choose matters — pick something you wouldn't type accidentally in normal writing.

Method 6: Copy and Paste

The most device-agnostic option: copy the symbol directly — ° — and paste it into your document. This works regardless of Word version, operating system, or keyboard layout. It's not efficient for repeated use, but it's reliable in a pinch.

Comparing the Methods at a Glance

A Note on Formatting Context ⚠️

The degree symbol behaves like any other character in Word — it inherits the font, size, and style of surrounding text. If it looks oversized, misaligned, or visually inconsistent with the rest of your document, check that your cursor wasn't in a different style or font size before inserting it. This is especially relevant when inserting through the Symbol menu, which can occasionally default to a different font than your body text.

Variables That Affect Which Method Works Best for You

Several factors determine which approach is actually practical for your situation:

• Keyboard type — full-size keyboards with a numeric keypad support Alt codes easily; compact or laptop keyboards often don't
• Operating system — the native shortcuts differ meaningfully between Windows and macOS
• Word version — older versions of Word for Windows or Mac may have slightly different menu layouts, though the core shortcuts have been stable for many years
• Frequency of use — occasional use favors the Insert Symbol menu or copy-paste; regular use justifies setting up AutoCorrect
• Document type — technical documents, scientific reports, or templated forms each have different efficiency needs

The method that feels frictionless depends entirely on your keyboard, your platform, and how often you're reaching for that symbol. What works seamlessly for one setup can be genuinely awkward for another. 🖥️