The degree symbol keyboard shortcut on Windows is Alt + 0176: hold Alt, type 0176 on the number pad on the right of the keyboard, then let go of Alt. The degree sign appears, ready for temperatures, angles and map coordinates.
Laptops without a number pad need another route. In Word, press Ctrl + Shift + @ and then Space; in any app, Win + . brings up the emoji and symbol window. On a Mac the shortcut is Option + Shift + 8.
Quick facts
Number pad
Alt + 0176Shorter code
Alt + 248Word
Ctrl + Shift + @, then SpaceWord, any keyboard
00B0, then Alt + XSymbol panel
Win + .Mac
Option + Shift + 8
Degree symbol keyboard shortcut methods
| Method | Keys | Works in |
|---|---|---|
| Alt code with number pad | Alt + 0176 | Almost every Windows program |
| Short Alt code | Alt + 248 | Most programs |
| Word shortcut | Ctrl + Shift + @, then Space | Word, Outlook |
| Unicode in Word | 00B0, then Alt + X | Word, any keyboard |
| Symbol panel | Win + ., Symbols tab | Any Windows 10 or 11 app |
| Mac | Option + Shift + 8 | All Mac apps |
Shortcut for degree symbol on a laptop
Most laptop number rows across the top do not work for Alt codes; Windows needs the separate number pad. On laptops without one, try these instead:
- In Word or Outlook, type 00B0 and press Alt + X.
- Anywhere, press Win + ., switch to symbols and choose the degree sign; it then sits in the recently used row.
- Some laptops have a hidden number pad on the letter keys, switched on with Fn + NumLk or Fn + ScrLk; check for small numbers on the J, K and L keys.
- Copy the sign once and pin it in clipboard history with Win + V.
Degree sign in Excel
For a heading such as Temp (deg C), Alt + 0176 works in an Excel cell. For temperatures in a column of numbers, keep the numbers as numbers and add the sign through formatting: press Ctrl + 1, choose Custom, and type 0"°C" (using the degree sign) as the format. The numbers still calculate. The degree symbol in Excel page covers this in detail.
Degree, ring and similar symbols
| Symbol | Name | Use |
|---|---|---|
| ° | Degree sign | Temperature, angles |
| º | Masculine ordinal | Spanish and Portuguese numbers, not degrees |
| ˚ | Ring above | Accents, not degrees |
| ′ and ″ | Prime and double prime | Minutes and seconds of angle |
Use the true degree sign from the methods above. Other symbols such as diameter and copyright have their own pages: diameter symbol and copyright symbol.
When the degree shortcut types something else
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Alt + 0176 does nothing | Use the number pad, and turn Num Lock on |
| A different character appears | You used the top number row; Alt codes need the number pad |
| Word shortcut types @ | Press Ctrl + Shift + @ together first, then Space |
| Mac types an asterisk | You missed Option; press Option + Shift + 8 together |
All symbol shortcuts
Common signs used in Indian offices and classrooms, such as the rupee sign and tick mark, are collected in symbol shortcut keys, including rupee symbol.
Frequently asked questions
What is the keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol?
How do I type a degree sign on a laptop?
Pick it from the symbol window (Win + .), or type 00B0 and press Alt + X in Word.
What is the degree shortcut in Word?
What is the degree shortcut on a Mac?
Why does Alt + 0176 not work?
It needs the number pad with Num Lock on, not the top row of numbers.
Can I add degrees to numbers in Excel?
Yes, with a custom number format, so the values still calculate.