How to Put a Degree Symbol in Microsoft Word (Every Method Explained)

The degree symbol — ° — is one of those characters that isn't on any standard keyboard key, yet shows up constantly in technical documents, recipes, scientific writing, and everyday notes. Microsoft Word gives you several ways to insert it, and which approach works best depends on how often you need it, what version of Word you're using, and whether you're working on Windows or Mac.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard

Standard keyboards follow a layout designed decades ago, and the degree symbol simply didn't make the cut for a dedicated key. It lives in the extended Unicode character set (U+00B0), which means it's available in every modern version of Word — you just need to know where to look, or which shortcut to trigger.

It's also worth noting: the degree symbol (°) is different from the masculine ordinal indicator (º), which looks nearly identical but sits at a different Unicode point. Using the wrong one in a formal document can cause issues in data parsing or academic formatting.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

The fastest repeatable method on Windows is a two-part shortcut:

1. Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard)
2. Release Alt — the ° symbol appears

This is the Alt code method and works in Word, Outlook, Notepad, and most Windows applications. The catch: it requires a numeric keypad, so laptop users without one may find this method unreliable or unavailable.

If you're on a laptop, some manufacturers let you activate a virtual numpad using Fn + NumLk, then use a section of letter keys as numbers. Check your keyboard's documentation — behavior varies widely by manufacturer.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut (Mac)

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

• Press Option + Shift + 8

This works system-wide on macOS, including Word for Mac. It's consistent and fast once you've memorized it.

Method 3: AutoCorrect / Type and Let Word Fix It

Word's AutoCorrect feature can be configured to replace a typed string — like (deg) or *deg* — with the degree symbol automatically. This is especially useful if you're typing large volumes of technical content and don't want to break your flow.

To set this up:

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options (Windows) or Word → Preferences → AutoCorrect (Mac)
2. In the Replace field, type your trigger (e.g., degr)
3. In the With field, paste or insert the ° symbol
4. Click Add, then OK

From that point forward, typing your trigger and pressing Space or Enter will auto-replace it. 🔧

Method 4: Insert Symbol Dialog

If shortcuts aren't sticking, Word's built-in symbol inserter covers every Unicode character:

1. Click where you want the symbol
2. Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols
3. In the Font dropdown, choose (normal text) or a standard font like Arial
4. Set Subset to Latin-1 Supplement
5. Find and click the degree symbol (°), then click Insert

This dialog also shows you the keyboard shortcut for any symbol at the bottom of the window — useful for discovering shortcuts you didn't know existed.

Method 5: Unicode Entry (Word for Windows Only)

Word on Windows supports direct Unicode entry in a lesser-known way:

1. Type 00B0
2. Immediately press Alt + X

Word converts the code into the ° symbol on the spot. This method is fast once you've memorized the Unicode value, and it doesn't depend on a numpad — making it a solid option for laptop users on Windows.

Method 6: Copy and Paste

The bluntest tool, but reliably effective: copy the symbol ° from a trusted source (this article, for example, or a Unicode reference site) and paste it into your document. Formatting may shift depending on the surrounding font, so check that the size and style match your text after pasting.

Comparing the Methods at a Glance 📋

What Affects Which Method Works for You

A few variables shape which of these actually fits into your workflow:

• Windows vs. Mac eliminates some options immediately — Alt codes don't work on macOS, and Option + Shift + 8 isn't a Windows shortcut
• Desktop vs. laptop determines whether Alt codes are practical
• Word version matters slightly — older versions of Word (pre-2013) handle AutoCorrect and Unicode entry differently
• Frequency of use changes the calculus significantly; setting up AutoCorrect takes two minutes but pays off only if you're inserting the symbol regularly
• Document context (scientific reports, casual notes, exported data files) may influence whether you care about using the precise Unicode character vs. a visual lookalike

Someone typing one recipe uses copy-paste. A lab technician documenting daily temperature readings sets up AutoCorrect or memorizes the Unicode shortcut. A Mac user on a laptop ignores all of that and presses Option + Shift + 8 every time.

The right method isn't determined by which one is "best" in the abstract — it's determined by your specific keyboard, operating system, Word version, and how often ° shows up in what you write.