How to Put a Degree Symbol in Excel (Every Method Explained)

The degree symbol (°) is one of those small characters that causes surprisingly big frustration. It doesn't live on any standard keyboard key, and Excel doesn't make it obvious where to find it. But there are actually several reliable ways to insert it — and which one works best depends on how often you need it, what version of Excel you're running, and how you prefer to work.

Why Excel Doesn't Just Have a Degree Symbol Key

Keyboards are designed around the most frequently typed characters. Degree symbols, along with dozens of other special characters, fall into a secondary layer that requires a workaround to access. Excel itself doesn't block the symbol — it just doesn't surface it automatically. Once you know the method, inserting ° becomes quick and repeatable.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

The fastest approach for most Windows users is the Alt code method:

1. Click the cell where you want the degree symbol
2. Hold down Alt
3. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard)
4. Release Alt

The ° symbol should appear immediately. This works in Excel on Windows regardless of version, but it requires a numeric keypad. Laptops without a dedicated numpad may need to enable Num Lock or use an on-screen keyboard first — which makes this method less practical on compact hardware.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut (Mac)

On a Mac, the shortcut is more straightforward:

• Press Option + Shift + 8

This works system-wide on macOS, including inside Excel for Mac. No numpad required, no mode switching. For Mac users, this is generally the quickest path.

Method 3: Copy-Paste the Symbol Directly

Sometimes the simplest approach is the most practical. You can:

1. Copy the symbol from this article: °
2. Paste it directly into your Excel cell

This works on any device, any OS, any version of Excel — including Excel Online and mobile apps. It's not elegant, but it's universally reliable and requires zero setup.

Method 4: Insert Symbol Dialog Box

Excel has a built-in symbol library that many users never explore:

1. Click the cell where you want the symbol
2. Go to Insert → Symbol (in the Symbols group, far right of the ribbon)
3. In the dialog box, set Font to your current font (or "normal text")
4. Set Subset to Latin-1 Supplement
5. Find and click the degree symbol °
6. Click Insert, then Close

This method is slower but useful when you don't remember the shortcut, or when you're inserting several special characters at once. The dialog also shows you the character code at the bottom, which can help you learn shortcuts for future use.

Method 5: CHAR Function

Excel's CHAR() function converts a numeric code into its corresponding character. The degree symbol is character number 176:

=CHAR(176) 

You can combine this with other text in a formula. For example, if cell A1 contains a temperature value:

=A1&CHAR(176)&"C" 

This would display something like 98.6°C as a text string. The CHAR function approach is particularly useful when you're building dynamic labels, concatenating data for display, or automating reports where temperatures, angles, or coordinates appear in formatted output.

⚠️ Note: CHAR(176) returns a text result. If you need the cell to remain a pure number for calculations, keep the degree symbol in an adjacent label cell rather than appending it with CHAR.

Method 6: AutoCorrect Shortcut (Custom Setup)

If you use degree symbols frequently, Excel's AutoCorrect feature lets you create a custom trigger word:

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options
2. In the Replace field, type a short trigger (e.g., deg)
3. In the With field, paste the ° symbol
4. Click Add, then OK

After this, every time you type deg and press Space, Excel replaces it with °. This is a one-time setup that saves time if you regularly enter degree data manually. The setting is stored in your Office profile, so it carries across Excel sessions — but it won't sync to other machines or Excel Online by default.

Comparing the Methods at a Glance 🔍

Variables That Affect Which Method Works for You

Not every method is equally practical depending on your setup:

• Hardware: Desktop keyboards with full numpads make Alt codes easy. Laptop users often find them frustrating.
• OS: The Mac shortcut is simpler than the Windows Alt code — but only relevant if you're on macOS.
• How you're using Excel: If you're building a template or formula-driven spreadsheet, CHAR(176) integrates cleanly. If you're typing entries manually, a keyboard shortcut or AutoCorrect trigger is faster.
• Excel version and platform: Excel Online and mobile apps don't support all keyboard shortcuts or Insert Symbol in the same way. Copy-paste and CHAR() tend to be the most cross-platform reliable.
• Frequency of use: A one-time insertion doesn't justify setting up AutoCorrect. Regular data entry absolutely might.

The right method isn't about which is "best" universally — it's about which one fits how you work, what device you're on, and how often this task comes up in your workflow.