How to Make the Degree Symbol on a Keyboard PC

Typing a degree symbol (°) seems like it should be simple — but unless you know where to look, it can feel surprisingly elusive. There's no dedicated key for it on most keyboards, which means you need to use a workaround. The good news: there are several reliable methods, and once you know them, you'll never have to hunt for it again.

Why There's No Dedicated Degree Key

Standard PC keyboards follow layouts designed decades ago, optimized for letters, numbers, and common punctuation. Special characters like °, ©, or ™ didn't make the cut for dedicated keys. Instead, they live inside your operating system, accessible through shortcuts, numeric codes, or character maps — depending on your setup.

Method 1: Alt Code (Numeric Keypad Required)

The most widely known method on Windows is the Alt code:

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

This works in most Windows applications: Word, Notepad, Excel, browsers, and more.

Important variable: This method requires a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad. Laptop keyboards typically lack a dedicated numpad, which makes this method unavailable unless you're using an external keyboard or your laptop has a numpad overlay (enabled via a function key).

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut in Microsoft Word

If you're working in Microsoft Word specifically, there's a cleaner shortcut:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + @, then immediately press the spacebar

Word interprets this combination and inserts °. This shortcut is Word-exclusive and won't work in other applications.

Method 3: Copy-Paste or Character Map 🔍

If you only need the symbol occasionally, the simplest approach is:

Copy directly: °

You can copy that character from any source — a webpage, a document, a note — and paste it wherever you need it.

Windows Character Map:

1. Press Windows key, type Character Map, and open it
2. Find the degree symbol (it's in the Latin-1 Supplement block)
3. Click it, hit Select, then Copy
4. Paste wherever needed

Windows 10 and 11 Emoji Panel:

1. Press Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ;
2. Search for "degree" in the search bar
3. Click to insert

The emoji panel is fast, intuitive, and works across most modern Windows apps — making it a strong option for users who don't want to memorize codes.

Method 4: Unicode Input

For users comfortable with a slightly more technical approach, Windows supports Unicode character input in some applications:

1. Type 00B0 (the Unicode code for °)
2. Press Alt + X

This converts the typed code into the symbol — but only works in applications that support it, like Microsoft Word and WordPad. It won't function in browsers or most other software.

Method 5: International Keyboard Layout or AutoCorrect

AutoCorrect (Microsoft Office): You can set up a custom AutoCorrect rule so that typing something like deg automatically converts to °. This is useful if you're frequently typing temperatures or measurements in Office applications.

International keyboard layouts: Some keyboard layouts — particularly those used in European locales — place the degree symbol at an accessible key combination. If you regularly switch between layouts, this may already be available to you.

Comparing the Methods

Factors That Affect Which Method Works for You

Not every method suits every user or setup equally. A few variables shape which approach is actually practical:

Keyboard type: Desktop keyboards with a full numpad make the Alt code method straightforward. Laptop users without a numpad need an alternative route — the emoji panel or copy-paste are usually the most accessible.

Application context: Are you typing in Word, a browser, a spreadsheet, or a specialized program? Word has its own shortcuts. Browsers respond well to the emoji panel or pasted characters. Some legacy software may only reliably accept the Alt code.

Frequency of use: If you type the degree symbol a handful of times per year, copy-pasting is perfectly sensible. If you're regularly writing about temperatures, science, or geography, memorizing a shortcut or setting up AutoCorrect saves meaningful time.

Windows version: 🖥️ The emoji panel (Win + .) was introduced in Windows 10 and works well through Windows 11. Older versions of Windows may not have it, making Character Map or Alt codes the better fallback.

Typing environment: Some remote desktop environments, virtual machines, or locked-down enterprise setups can interfere with Alt codes or keyboard shortcuts, requiring copy-paste as the most reliable workaround.

The right method isn't universal — it shifts depending on what you're working in, what keyboard you're using, and how often you need the symbol. Each of those details points toward a different answer for different people.