How to Insert the Degree Symbol in Microsoft Word

Whether you're typing a temperature reading, an angle measurement, or geographic coordinates, the degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't live on a standard keyboard — but Word gives you several ways to insert it quickly. The method that works best for you depends on how often you need it, what kind of document you're working on, and whether you're using a Windows PC or a Mac.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard

Standard keyboards follow a layout designed for the most frequently typed characters. Symbols like °, ©, and ™ are used often enough to be useful, but not often enough to earn a dedicated key. Instead, they're stored in the Unicode character set — a universal encoding standard that Word can access in multiple ways.

The degree symbol's Unicode value is U+00B0, and its ASCII code is 248 (on Windows). You don't need to memorize either of those to use it, but knowing they exist explains why the keyboard shortcut and insert methods work the way they do.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

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

1. Make sure Num Lock is turned on
2. Hold down the Alt key
3. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row)
4. Release Alt — the ° symbol appears

This works in Word and in most other Windows applications. It requires a numeric keypad, which is standard on full-size keyboards but absent on most laptops. If your laptop has no numpad, this method won't work without workarounds.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut (Mac)

On a Mac, the degree symbol shortcut is simpler and doesn't require a numpad:

• Press Option + Shift + 8

This works system-wide on macOS, including in Word for Mac. It's fast, reliable, and easy to remember once you've used it a few times.

Method 3: Word's Built-In Symbol Menu

If you're not sure about keyboard shortcuts or you need to browse for the symbol:

1. Click where you want the symbol in your document
2. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon
3. Click Symbol, then More Symbols
4. In the dialog box, set the font to (normal text) and the subset to Latin-1 Supplement
5. Scroll to find °, click it, then click Insert

This method works on both Windows and Mac versions of Word. It's slower than a shortcut but useful if you're inserting multiple special characters at once or if you want to see other available symbols nearby.

Method 4: AutoCorrect — Set It Once, Use It Forever

If you type degree measurements frequently, AutoCorrect is worth configuring:

1. Insert the ° symbol using any method above
2. Select it, then go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options (Windows) or Tools > AutoCorrect (Mac)
3. In the "Replace" field, type a trigger like (deg) or *deg
4. The "With" field should already show °
5. Click Add, then OK

From that point on, typing your chosen trigger followed by a space will automatically replace it with °. This is especially useful if you're working on technical documents, lab reports, or anything involving temperature data.

Method 5: Copy and Paste

Simple but effective — especially on mobile or touchscreen devices:

°

Copy the symbol above and paste it wherever you need it. For one-off use, this is perfectly reasonable. For repeated use, one of the shortcut methods will save time.

Method 6: Word's Autocorrect Already Does Some of the Work

Word includes a default AutoCorrect rule that converts certain typed sequences automatically. If you type a number followed by the letters o in superscript context, Word may or may not insert ° depending on your version and settings. This behavior varies across Word versions and isn't something to rely on consistently — but it's worth knowing that AutoCorrect settings in your specific version can affect what happens when you type.

Quick Comparison: Methods at a Glance 🖥️

How Document Context Affects Your Approach

The method that makes sense for a scientist typing temperature data into a research paper differs from what works for a student typing a single angle measurement in a geometry assignment. Similarly, someone on a laptop without a numeric keypad needs a different default approach than someone at a desktop workstation.

Word version also matters slightly — the ribbon layout and options menu have shifted across Word 2016, 2019, Word for Microsoft 365, and Word for Mac. The core functionality is consistent, but menu paths and AutoCorrect behavior can look different depending on which version you're running. ⌨️

A Note on Related Symbols

The degree symbol (°) is distinct from two other characters people sometimes confuse it with:

• Masculine ordinal indicator (º) — looks similar but is used in some languages as an abbreviation marker
• Superscript letter "o" — a formatted letter, not a true symbol

Word's font rendering can make these look nearly identical on screen, but they're different characters in the underlying document. If your file will be shared, printed in a specialized format, or processed programmatically, using the correct Unicode ° symbol (U+00B0) matters more than if it's just a Word document for personal use. 🔎

How often you need the symbol, which platform you're on, and whether you use a full keyboard or a laptop layout are the factors that will point you toward the approach that fits naturally into your workflow.