How to Make a Degree Sign on Word: Every Method Explained

Whether you're writing about temperatures, angles, or geographic coordinates, the degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that isn't sitting on your keyboard — but it shows up constantly in technical, scientific, and everyday documents. Microsoft Word offers several ways to insert it, and the right method often depends on how you work and how often you need it.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard

Standard keyboard layouts follow the ASCII character set for physical keys, which covers letters, numbers, and common punctuation. The degree sign is part of the extended Unicode character set (U+00B0), meaning it exists in the system — it's just not mapped to a dedicated key. Word bridges this gap through shortcuts, AutoCorrect, and symbol insertion tools.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest for Most Users)

The quickest way to type a degree symbol in Microsoft Word is with this shortcut:

Windows:

• Place your cursor where you want the symbol
• Type 2 0 B 0 then immediately press Alt + X
• Word converts the Unicode code point into the ° character

This only works inside Microsoft Word — it won't function in browsers or other apps.

Mac:

• Press Option + Shift + 8
• This works in Word for Mac and across most macOS applications

🖥️ These shortcuts are reliable across most modern versions of Word, though the Windows Alt+X method is specific to Office applications.

Method 2: Alt Code (Windows Only, Works Anywhere)

If you're on a Windows PC with a numeric keypad, you can use the classic Alt code method:

1. Make sure Num Lock is on
2. Hold down the Alt key
3. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the row of numbers above the letters)
4. Release Alt

The degree symbol appears immediately. This method works outside of Word too — in emails, browsers, and other text fields — making it worth memorizing if you type special characters regularly.

If you're on a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, this method may not work unless your device has a Fn-activated numpad layer.

Method 3: Insert Symbol Dialog Box

For users who prefer a visual approach or don't want to memorize shortcuts:

1. Click where you want the symbol in your document
2. Go to the Insert tab in the ribbon
3. Click Symbol (far right) → More Symbols
4. In the dialog, set the font to (normal text) and the subset to Latin-1 Supplement
5. Find and click the degree sign (°), then click Insert

This method is slower but useful when you're inserting multiple special characters or can't remember a shortcut. The dialog also displays the Unicode code and keyboard shortcut for any selected character — handy for learning shortcuts over time.

Method 4: AutoCorrect or AutoText

If you use the degree symbol frequently, you can set up AutoCorrect to replace a typed code with the symbol automatically:

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options
2. In the Replace field, type something like (deg)
3. In the With field, paste the ° character
4. Click Add, then OK

From that point on, typing (deg) will automatically convert to °. This is especially useful for scientific writers, engineers, or educators who regularly format temperature or angle data.

Method 5: Copy and Paste

The most universal fallback — copy the symbol directly: °

Paste it into Word and it will adopt the surrounding text's formatting. This works on any device, any OS, without any setup. It's not elegant, but for occasional use it's perfectly practical.

Comparing the Methods

A Few Things That Affect Which Method Works for You

Keyboard type matters more than most people expect. Laptops without a physical numpad make Alt codes awkward or impossible without enabling a virtual numpad layer through Fn keys — and that process varies by manufacturer.

Word version and platform play a role too. Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, and Word 2016 all support Alt+X. Word for Mac handles shortcuts differently from Word on Windows. Word Online (the browser version) has limited shortcut support and may require the Insert Symbol approach or copy/paste.

How often you need the symbol changes the calculus entirely. Someone writing a single document with one temperature reference has no reason to configure AutoCorrect. A chemistry teacher building worksheets weekly might find AutoCorrect or a memorized shortcut saves meaningful time. ⌨️

Touch devices and tablets running Word for iOS or Android have their own symbol keyboards accessible through the special characters panel within the mobile keyboard — the desktop methods don't apply there.

The Degree Symbol vs. Similar Characters

It's worth knowing the degree sign can get confused with two visually similar characters:

• Masculine ordinal indicator (º) — looks nearly identical, used in Spanish/Portuguese text (like 1º)
• Superscript letter O — sometimes used as a workaround but technically incorrect for degrees

Using the wrong character matters in technical and scientific documents, where text-parsing tools, formulas, or style guides may distinguish between them. The true degree sign is always U+00B0.

The method that makes sense for you depends on your device, how often you use the symbol, and which version of Word you're working in. Each approach is reliable in the right context — the variables are mostly about your own setup and workflow. 🎯