How to Type the Degree Symbol on a Laptop (Every Method Explained)

The degree symbol — ° — is one of those characters that doesn't live on any standard keyboard key, yet it comes up constantly: weather reports, temperature readings, geographic coordinates, oven settings, angle measurements. Knowing how to produce it quickly depends on your operating system, your keyboard layout, and how often you need it.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard

Standard keyboard layouts follow the QWERTY design, which was built around the most frequently used letters and punctuation in everyday writing. Specialty characters like °, ©, ™, and ± simply didn't make the cut for dedicated keys. Instead, operating systems provide multiple workarounds — keyboard shortcuts, Unicode input, character maps, and autocorrect rules — each with different trade-offs depending on your workflow.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows

Method 1: Alt Code (Numeric Keypad Required)

The fastest traditional method on Windows is the Alt code:

• Hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
• The ° symbol appears in whatever field or document you're working in.

This only works with a dedicated numeric keypad — the number row across the top of the keyboard won't trigger Alt codes. Many compact laptops and ultrabooks skip the numeric keypad entirely, which makes this method unavailable without an external keyboard.

Method 2: Unicode Input (Works Without a Numpad)

In some Windows applications, you can type the Unicode character code directly:

• Type 00B0, then press Alt + X.
• This converts the code into the ° symbol on the spot.

This method works reliably in Microsoft Word and WordPad, but not in every app — browsers, messaging tools, and most web-based text fields don't support it.

Method 3: Windows Character Map

The Character Map utility (search for it in the Start menu) lets you browse and copy any Unicode character, including °. It's not fast, but it's always available and doesn't require memorizing codes.

Method 4: Copy-Paste or AutoCorrect

For users who only need the degree symbol occasionally, simply copying it from a reliable source — like this article — and pasting it is perfectly practical. In Microsoft Word, you can also set up an AutoCorrect rule so that typing something like deg automatically converts to °.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on macOS 🍎

Mac laptops have a simpler built-in shortcut:

• Press Option + Shift + 8 to produce °.

This works system-wide — in browsers, documents, messaging apps, and most other text fields — without needing a numeric keypad or any special software mode. It's one area where macOS keyboard shortcuts are notably more accessible than Windows equivalents.

For less frequent use, the Special Characters viewer (Edit menu → Emoji & Symbols, or Control + Command + Space) lets you search for "degree" and insert it directly.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on ChromeOS

Chromebooks don't support Alt codes, but there are a couple of routes:

• Unicode input: Enable it in accessibility settings (or via a Chrome extension), then press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, and press Enter.
• Copy-paste from a search result or document remains the quickest option for most Chromebook users.

Degree Symbol in Specific Applications

Linux Laptops

On Linux, the method varies by distribution and desktop environment, but two common approaches are:

• Compose key sequences: If a Compose key is configured, pressing Compose → ° → o typically produces the symbol.
• Unicode entry: Press Ctrl + Shift + U, release, type 00b0, then press Enter — similar to ChromeOS.

The Compose key approach is fast once set up, but requires initial configuration that varies across distros.

The Difference Between ° and Similar Symbols

It's worth knowing that ° (U+00B0, the true degree symbol) is distinct from:

• º — the masculine ordinal indicator (used in some European numbering systems)
• ˚ — the ring above diacritic (used in phonetics)

These characters look nearly identical in many fonts but behave differently in technical, scientific, and typographic contexts. If precision matters — in scientific documents, engineering files, or structured data — using the correct Unicode character (U+00B0) is important. Copy-paste from a verified source or Unicode input guarantees the right one. 🎯

What Actually Determines Which Method Works for You

Several factors shape which approach is practical for any given user:

• Keyboard hardware: Compact and ultrabook-style laptops often omit the numeric keypad, eliminating Alt codes entirely.
• Operating system: macOS has the most seamless built-in shortcut; Windows requires more steps; ChromeOS and Linux depend on configuration.
• Application type: Unicode input shortcuts work in some apps but not others — a method that works in Word may fail in a browser tab.
• Frequency of use: Someone typing ° dozens of times a day in technical documents benefits from learning an OS-level shortcut or setting up AutoCorrect. Someone who needs it twice a month has little reason to memorize anything.
• Technical comfort level: Setting up Compose key bindings on Linux or configuring Unicode input on ChromeOS takes a few minutes and some familiarity with system settings.

The method that's genuinely "best" shifts depending on the combination of your hardware, your OS, the apps you spend time in, and how often you actually need the symbol. Knowing the full range of options is the starting point — your specific setup determines which one fits. 💡