How to Type the Degree Symbol on a Computer Keyboard
The degree symbol (°) doesn't appear on any standard keyboard key, yet it shows up constantly in weather reports, cooking recipes, scientific documents, and technical specifications. Knowing how to type it quickly — without copying and pasting from a search result every time — is one of those small productivity wins that adds up fast.
The method you use depends on your operating system, keyboard layout, and how often you need the symbol.
Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard
Standard keyboard layouts follow the QWERTY design, which dates back to the typewriter era. Keys were assigned based on the most frequently used characters in English writing. Symbols like °, ©, and ™ didn't make the cut for dedicated keys — they're accessed through workarounds built into the operating system or input software instead.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows
Windows offers several methods, and the right one depends on whether you have a numeric keypad and how often you need the symbol.
Using the Alt Code (Numeric Keypad Required)
This is the fastest method if your keyboard includes a numeric keypad (the number block on the right side of a full-size keyboard):
- Place your cursor where you want the symbol
- Hold Alt
- Type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row)
- Release Alt
The ° symbol appears immediately. This does not work with the number row at the top of the keyboard — only the dedicated numpad.
Using the Character Map
Windows includes a built-in tool called Character Map:
- Press Windows key, type Character Map, and open it
- Find the degree symbol (°) in the grid
- Click it, select Copy, and paste it where needed
This is slower but useful if you only need the symbol occasionally.
Using Windows Emoji & Symbol Panel
On Windows 10 and 11:
- Press Windows key + period (.) or Windows key + semicolon (;)
- Switch to the Symbols tab
- Search for "degree" or browse the math symbols section
Typing ° in Microsoft Word Specifically
Word has its own shortcut: type 2103 then press Alt + X. Word converts the Unicode code point directly into the ° character. This only works inside Word.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac 🍎
Mac makes this simpler. On any macOS application:
- Press Option + Shift + 8
That's it. No mode switching, no numpad required. The symbol appears wherever your cursor sits.
Alternatively, macOS has a Character Viewer accessible from most apps via Edit > Emoji & Symbols (or Control + Command + Space). Search "degree" to find and insert it.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on a Laptop (No Numpad)
Laptops frequently omit the numeric keypad to save space. This breaks the Alt+0176 method on Windows. Your options:
- Enable Fn + NumLock to activate a hidden numpad embedded in letter keys (varies by laptop model — check your manual)
- Use the Windows Emoji panel (Win + .)
- Use the Character Map tool
- Set up a text replacement shortcut — in Windows Settings, some third-party apps like AutoHotkey let you map a key combo like
::deg::to auto-insert °
On Mac laptops, Option + Shift + 8 works regardless of keyboard size.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Chromebook
ChromeOS doesn't use Alt codes. Instead:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter
This Unicode input method inserts the degree symbol directly. It works system-wide in most text fields.
Quick Comparison by Platform
| Platform | Fastest Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (with numpad) | Alt + 0176 | Numpad only, not number row |
| Windows (no numpad) | Win + . → Symbols | Works on all Windows 10/11 |
| Microsoft Word | 2103 → Alt + X | Word-exclusive shortcut |
| macOS | Option + Shift + 8 | Works everywhere, no numpad needed |
| Chromebook | Ctrl + Shift + U → 00b0 | Unicode input method |
| Any platform | Copy and paste ° | Slow but always works |
The Degree Symbol vs. Similar-Looking Characters
One detail worth knowing: there are actually two different degree-like symbols you might encounter:
- ° (U+00B0) — the standard degree symbol used for temperature, angles, and coordinates
- ˚ (U+02DA) — the ring above diacritic, used in some phonetic and linguistic contexts
They look nearly identical in most fonts but are different Unicode characters. For temperature (°C, °F) and compass bearings, you always want U+00B0. Using the wrong one can cause formatting issues in scientific documents or data systems that parse text programmatically.
Variables That Affect Which Method Works Best for You
The "best" method isn't universal — it shifts based on a few factors:
- Keyboard type: Full-size desktop keyboards with numpads support Alt codes. Compact and laptop keyboards often don't
- OS version: Windows 10/11 emoji panel isn't available on older Windows versions
- Application: Some apps (like Word) have their own shortcuts that override system methods
- Frequency of use: If you type degree symbols dozens of times daily, a text expansion tool or dedicated shortcut pays off. If it's occasional, the character map or copy-paste is fine
- Workflow: Terminal users, coders, and writers working in plain text editors each have different levels of access to system-wide shortcuts
Someone writing scientific reports all day has very different needs from someone who types a recipe blog post once a week. The method that saves real time in one setup may be unnecessary overhead in another.