How to Write the Degree Symbol in Microsoft Word

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that's simple once you know where it lives — but surprisingly elusive if you've never needed it before. Whether you're typing temperature readings, geographic coordinates, or angle measurements, Word gives you several ways to insert it. Which method works best depends on your keyboard, your workflow, and how often you need the symbol.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on a Standard Keyboard

Most keyboards are designed around the most frequently typed characters — letters, numbers, punctuation. The degree symbol didn't make the cut for a dedicated key. That means you're always going one step further to access it, whether through a shortcut, a menu, or a character code.

The good news: Word was built with this limitation in mind, and it offers multiple entry points.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

The fastest route for most Windows users is a keyboard shortcut built into Word itself:

Press Alt + Ctrl + Shift + @ then immediately type the letter O (not zero).

Some users find this combination awkward at first, but it becomes muscle memory quickly if you use it regularly.

Alternatively, if your keyboard has a numeric keypad, you can use an Alt code:

1. Make sure Num Lock is on
2. Hold Alt
3. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad
4. Release Alt

The ° symbol will appear at your cursor. This works across Windows applications, not just Word — though it does require a physical numpad, which many laptops don't have.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut (Mac)

On a Mac, the degree symbol is more accessible by default:

Press Option + Shift + 8

This works system-wide on macOS, including in Word for Mac. It's a quick, reliable shortcut that most Mac users adopt immediately once they learn it.

Method 3: Insert Symbol Menu

If shortcuts aren't your preference — or you're on an unfamiliar keyboard — Word's built-in symbol browser works on any setup:

1. Click where you want the symbol in your document
2. Go to the Insert tab in the ribbon
3. Select Symbol → More Symbols
4. In the Font dropdown, choose your current font (or Normal Text)
5. In the Subset dropdown, select Latin-1 Supplement
6. Find and click the ° symbol
7. Click Insert

This method is slower but completely reliable. It also shows you the character's Unicode value (U+00B0) and shortcut code, which is worth noting if you want to speed things up later.

Method 4: Unicode Character Code

Word supports direct Unicode entry, which is one of the tidier tricks in the application:

1. Type 00B0 (the Unicode code point for the degree symbol)
2. Immediately press Alt + X

Word converts the code into the ° character on the spot. This works in Word for Windows and is useful if you remember character codes — though most people find the other methods more practical day to day.

Method 5: AutoCorrect or AutoText

If you use the degree symbol frequently, you can configure Word to insert it automatically:

• Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options
• In the Replace field, type a shorthand like deg
• In the With field, paste or insert the ° symbol
• Click Add, then OK

From that point on, typing deg (or whatever trigger you choose) followed by a space will automatically swap in the symbol. This is especially useful for documents with repeated temperature or measurement data. ⚙️

How the Methods Compare

A Few Things That Affect Which Method Works for You 🖥️

Laptop vs. desktop: Laptops without a dedicated numeric keypad can't use Alt codes, which rules out one of the most commonly cited methods. This catches people off guard when they search for how to type the symbol and find instructions written for full-size keyboards.

Word version: The Insert Symbol menu and keyboard shortcuts described here apply broadly to Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365. Older versions may have slightly different menu layouts, though the core methods remain consistent.

Operating system: Windows and macOS handle special character input differently at the system level. A shortcut that works on one won't necessarily transfer to the other.

Document type and font: In most standard fonts (Calibri, Times New Roman, Arial), the degree symbol renders clearly. In certain specialty or display fonts, it may look different or require selecting a specific character variant.

Frequency of use: Someone typing one temperature reading occasionally has different needs than a technical writer producing measurement-heavy documentation daily. The AutoCorrect setup only makes sense if the time investment pays off through repeated use. °

The right method is less about which one is objectively better and more about what fits naturally into how you work — your device, your keyboard layout, and how often the symbol actually shows up in what you write.