How to Make the Degree Symbol in Microsoft Word

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't live on any standard keyboard key — yet it shows up constantly in temperature readings, geographic coordinates, angles in math and science, and even cooking recipes. Microsoft Word gives you several ways to insert it, and which method works best depends on how often you need it, what version of Word you're running, and whether you're on Windows or Mac.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard

Standard QWERTY keyboards were designed around the most frequently typed characters in everyday writing. Specialized symbols like °, ©, or ™ didn't make the cut. Instead, they're accessed through Unicode character codes, keyboard shortcuts, symbol menus, or autocorrect entries — all of which Word supports in different ways.

Understanding that these are all just different doors into the same character set helps clarify why there are so many methods and why none of them is universally "best."

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

The fastest method for most Windows users is a two-key shortcut:

1. Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + @, then immediately press the spacebar.

Word interprets this combination and inserts the ° character. This works in most versions of Word on Windows, including Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365.

🖥️ If this shortcut doesn't fire correctly, check that no other application or keyboard layout is intercepting those keys.

Method 2: Alt Code (Windows Only)

If you're comfortable with numeric keypad input, the Alt code method is reliable:

1. Make sure Num Lock is on.
2. Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the top-row number keys).
3. Release Alt — the ° symbol appears.

This is a Windows-specific technique that works system-wide, not just in Word. It won't work on laptops without a dedicated numeric keypad unless you enable a software numpad.

Method 3: Unicode Entry (Windows)

Word on Windows also supports direct Unicode input:

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

Word converts the typed code into the symbol. This is precise and doesn't require Num Lock, but you need to remember the code — or look it up.

Method 4: Keyboard Shortcut (Mac)

On a Mac, the shortcut is more straightforward and doesn't require a numeric keypad:

• Press Option + Shift + 8

This inserts the degree symbol directly. It works in Word for Mac across recent versions and is easy to memorize once you've used it a few times.

Method 5: Insert Symbol Menu

If you prefer a visual approach — or you can't remember any shortcuts — Word's built-in symbol browser works on both platforms:

1. Click the Insert tab in the ribbon.
2. Select Symbol, then More Symbols.
3. In the dialog box, set the font to (normal text) and the subset to Latin-1 Supplement.
4. Find and click the ° character.
5. Click Insert, then Close.

This method is slower but reliable. Once you've inserted the symbol this way, Word remembers it in the Recently Used Symbols section, making future insertions faster.

Method 6: AutoCorrect — Automate It Once, Use It Forever

If you type temperatures or angles frequently, AutoCorrect is worth setting up:

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options.
2. In the Replace field, type a trigger like (deg).
3. In the With field, insert the ° symbol (paste it or type it).
4. Click Add, then OK.

From that point on, typing (deg) and pressing Space or Enter will automatically swap it for °. This works across sessions and is especially useful in documents with heavy scientific or technical content.

Quick Comparison of Methods

Factors That Affect Which Method Works for You

Not every method works in every situation:

• Laptop users without a numpad won't get reliable results from Alt codes unless they enable a virtual numpad or use Fn-key remapping.
• Mac users are locked out of the Windows Alt code approach entirely — Option + Shift + 8 is the native path.
• Word version matters slightly: older versions of Word (pre-2013) may handle the Ctrl + Shift + @ shortcut differently, and some regional keyboard layouts reassign these combinations.
• Keyboard language settings can interfere with shortcuts. A French AZERTY or German QWERTZ layout, for instance, maps @ differently, which affects the Ctrl + Shift + @ method.
• Frequency of use changes the math entirely. Occasional use makes the symbol menu perfectly adequate. Frequent use makes AutoCorrect or a memorized shortcut worth the small upfront investment.

🔢 The Same Symbol, Different Contexts

One thing worth knowing: the degree symbol (°, Unicode U+00B0) is different from the masculine ordinal indicator (º, U+00BA), which looks almost identical but is a separate character used in some languages. In most fonts they appear nearly the same, but if you're working in a document that will be parsed by software, exported to specific formats, or used in scientific contexts, using the correct Unicode character matters. Word's Insert Symbol dialog shows both — the degree symbol sits in the Latin-1 Supplement block, which is the right one for temperatures and angles.

How smoothly any of these methods fits into your workflow depends on the device you're on, the keyboard layout you use, and how often the symbol comes up in your writing — all of which only you can account for.