How to Put a Degree Symbol in Word: Every Method Explained

Typing a degree symbol (°) in Microsoft Word seems like it should be simple — and it is, once you know where to look. The catch is that Word gives you several ways to do it, and the fastest method depends on your keyboard, your version of Word, and how often you actually need the symbol.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Most Keyboards

Standard keyboards — both Windows and Mac — don't include a dedicated degree key. It's not an oversight; it's just a matter of frequency. Most people type letters and numbers far more often than scientific notation or temperature readings. So the degree symbol (°) lives in a special characters layer that you have to know how to access.

The good news: once you learn one reliable method, it takes less than two seconds.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest for Regular Use)

On Windows

The most reliable shortcut on a Windows PC uses the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of a full-size keyboard):

1. Place your cursor where you want the symbol
2. Hold Alt
3. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top)
4. Release Alt

The ° symbol appears instantly. This works in Word, Outlook, Notepad — almost any Windows application.

Important: This shortcut requires Num Lock to be on and uses the numeric keypad specifically. It won't work if you type the numbers across the top of the keyboard.

On Mac

On a Mac keyboard, the shortcut is simpler:

• Hold Option and press Shift + 8

That's it. The ° symbol drops in wherever your cursor is sitting.

In Word Specifically (Windows Shortcut)

Word has its own built-in shortcut that works without the numeric keypad:

• Type 2109, then immediately press Alt + X

Word converts the Unicode character code into the degree symbol. This is especially useful on laptops that lack a dedicated number pad.

Method 2: Insert Symbol Menu (Best for Occasional Use)

If you only need the degree symbol once in a while and don't want to memorize shortcuts, the Insert menu works well:

1. Click where you want the symbol
2. Go to the Insert tab in the Word ribbon
3. Click Symbol (far right of the ribbon)
4. Select More Symbols from the dropdown
5. In the Symbol window, set the font to (normal text) and the subset to Latin-1 Supplement
6. Find and click the ° symbol
7. Click Insert

It takes more clicks, but it's a reliable fallback — especially if you're on an unfamiliar keyboard or a borrowed computer.

Method 3: AutoCorrect (Best for Heavy Frequency Use)

If you write about temperature, physics, or cooking regularly, setting up an AutoCorrect rule means you'll never have to think about this again.

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options
2. In the Replace field, type something you'd never use otherwise — like degr or (deg)
3. In the With field, type or paste the ° symbol
4. Click Add, then OK

From that point on, every time you type your chosen trigger, Word swaps it for °. This approach works well for people who type large volumes of technical content.

Method 4: Copy and Paste

Not glamorous, but completely valid. If you're writing a one-off document and just need a degree symbol quickly:

• Copy this: °
• Paste it where you need it

Some writers keep a sticky note or text file with common special characters ready to copy. It's low-tech, but it works across every platform and app without any setup.

Comparing the Methods at a Glance 🖥️

What Changes Across Word Versions and Platforms

The Insert → Symbol path and the Alt + 0176 shortcut have been consistent across Word versions for years. However, where exactly the Symbol button appears in the ribbon can vary slightly between Word 2016, Word 2019, Microsoft 365, and the Word web app.

The Word web app (browser-based Word) has fewer shortcut options. The Alt + X method may not function reliably there, and the Symbol menu is more limited than the desktop version. In that environment, copy-paste or the Insert → Symbol path tends to be the most dependable.

On mobile Word (iOS or Android), your best option is usually the special characters keyboard built into your phone — hold down certain keys to reveal accent and symbol variants — or copy-paste from another source.

The Variable That Matters Most ⌨️

The right method isn't the same for everyone. Someone writing one letter that mentions a temperature reading has completely different needs than a science teacher generating worksheets weekly, or a chef writing a recipe blog in Word. The shortcuts that feel natural on a desktop with a full keyboard become clunky on a laptop without a numpad, and they change again on a tablet.

Your version of Word, your operating system, your keyboard layout, and how often you actually need the symbol all push the answer in different directions. The method that sticks is the one that fits how you already work — not the one that's theoretically fastest in a vacuum.