Learn How to Type the Degree Symbol on Computers

Understanding the Degree Symbol and When You Need It

The degree symbol (°) is a small circular character that appears above the baseline of text. It serves several important purposes in writing and data entry. Scientists use it to show temperature measurements in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Mathematicians and engineers reference it when discussing angles and geometric calculations. Geographers include it when writing latitude and longitude coordinates. Weather forecasters display it when reporting temperatures to the public. Even in everyday writing, you might need it when describing weather conditions, oven temperatures for recipes, or angles in construction or design projects.

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Unlike regular letters and numbers, the degree symbol doesn't appear on your keyboard's main keys. This makes many people uncertain about how to produce it. The symbol looks simple—just a tiny circle—but accessing it requires knowing specific key combinations or menu options that vary depending on what device and software you're using. Understanding where and why you need this symbol helps you know when to use these special techniques.

Different situations call for the degree symbol in different contexts. Temperature readings are the most common use. For example, "The water boils at 100°C" or "Set the oven to 350°F." Angle measurements appear in mathematics and construction: "A right angle measures 90°." Geographic coordinates use the symbol to indicate degrees of latitude and longitude: "The location is at 40°N, 74°W." Astronomy uses degrees to measure positions of stars and celestial objects. In each case, the degree symbol conveys precise, standardized information that readers recognize immediately.

Practical Takeaway: Before typing the degree symbol, identify why you need it and what type of document you're creating. This helps you choose the best method for your specific situation, whether you're writing an email, creating a spreadsheet, preparing a document, or posting online.

Typing the Degree Symbol on Windows Computers

Windows computers offer multiple methods to produce the degree symbol, giving you options depending on what feels most natural to you. The most straightforward approach uses the Alt code method. This technique involves holding down the Alt key while typing a specific numeric code on your keyboard's number pad. For the degree symbol, you hold Alt and type 0176 on the number pad (the cluster of number keys on the right side of your keyboard). When you release the Alt key, the degree symbol appears where your cursor was positioned.

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This Alt code method works in most Windows applications, including Microsoft Word, Google Docs, email clients, and web browsers. However, it requires using the number pad on the right side of your keyboard—the Alt code won't work if you use the number keys along the top row of your keyboard. Laptop keyboards sometimes lack a traditional number pad, which can make this method challenging. Some laptops have a secondary number pad activated through a Function key, typically labeled as Fn Lock or NumLock. Check your laptop's manual or look for small number markings on your letter keys to determine if you have this feature.

Windows also provides access to the degree symbol through the Character Map application. This built-in tool displays thousands of special characters you can insert into documents. To open Character Map, search for "charmap" in your Windows search bar and launch the application. Once open, you can type "degree" in the search field to locate the symbol quickly. Click on the degree symbol to select it, then click the "Copy" button. Navigate to your document and paste the symbol where you need it. This method works on any Windows computer regardless of keyboard configuration, making it reliable for laptop users.

Practical Takeaway: Windows users should memorize the Alt code 0176 for quick access to the degree symbol. If your keyboard lacks a number pad or the Alt code method doesn't work, the Character Map application provides a reliable backup method that works everywhere.

Typing the Degree Symbol on Mac Computers

Mac computers make accessing the degree symbol straightforward through a keyboard shortcut. Unlike Windows, you don't need to remember numeric codes or open separate applications. On a Mac, simply hold Shift and Option together, then press the number 8 key. This three-key combination produces the degree symbol immediately. The shortcut works consistently across Mac applications including Apple Mail, Pages, Numbers, Google Docs, and web browsers like Safari and Chrome.

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Mac users appreciate this method because it's relatively simple to memorize and doesn't require using special number pads or opening menus. Once you've used the Shift+Option+8 combination a few times, it becomes automatic. The method works on MacBooks with compact keyboards just as well as on full-size external keyboards connected to desktop Macs. This consistency across different Mac hardware configurations makes it a reliable choice for most users.

If you prefer not to memorize keyboard shortcuts, Mac also provides the Emoji & Symbols viewer. This tool displays special characters, symbols, and emoji available on your system. You access it through most applications by going to Edit menu and selecting "Emoji & Symbols," or by using the keyboard shortcut Control+Command+Space. Once open, you can search for "degree" to locate the symbol quickly. Click on it to insert it into your document at your cursor position. This method proves especially useful if you need other special symbols in the same document, as you can browse through categories and preview characters before inserting them.

Practical Takeaway: Mac users should remember Shift+Option+8 as the fastest way to type the degree symbol. This three-key combination works universally across Mac applications and becomes second nature with practice.

Typing the Degree Symbol in Online Applications and Web Browsers

Online writing platforms like Google Docs, Microsoft 365 online, and various web-based applications support the degree symbol, but the methods vary slightly from working in traditional desktop software. Google Docs recognizes standard keyboard shortcuts from your operating system. Mac users can use Shift+Option+8, and Windows users can use the Alt+0176 code method, just as they would in other applications. The symbol inserts directly into your document at the cursor position.

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Some online applications provide menu-based access to special characters. Google Docs includes an "Insert" menu that opens a "Special characters" option. Clicking this opens a search interface where you can type "degree" to find the symbol, then click it to insert it into your document. This method works regardless of your operating system or keyboard configuration, making it valuable for users who struggle with keyboard shortcuts. Microsoft 365 online offers similar functionality through its Insert ribbon menu, which includes options for symbols and special characters.

For basic online text entry—such as posting to social media, filling out web forms, or composing emails in web-based email platforms—your operating system's standard methods work reliably. However, some simplified web text boxes may not support special characters at all. In these cases, you might need to type the degree symbol in a more capable application like Google Docs, then copy and paste it into the web form. This workaround lets you include the symbol even in restrictive environments. Testing whether your chosen platform supports the symbol before spending time entering a long piece of text with multiple degree symbols saves frustration.

Practical Takeaway: When working in online applications, try your standard operating system shortcut first (Shift+Option+8 for Mac or Alt+0176 for Windows). If that doesn't work, look for an Insert or Special Characters menu option. If neither works, compose your text in Google Docs, insert the degree symbols there, then copy and paste into your final destination.

Using Copy-and-Paste as a Universal Solution

The copy-and-paste method works on virtually any device, operating system, and application. This approach involves locating a degree symbol that already exists somewhere, copying it, and pasting it wherever you need it. Many websites display temperature readings with degree symbols. You can also search for "degree symbol" online and copy one from a search result or educational resource. Once you've copied the symbol to your clipboard, you can paste it into any document, email, web form, or text field using the standard paste command (Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac).

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This method proves particularly valuable for people using unfamiliar devices, borrowed computers, or devices with non-English keyboard layouts. It requires no memorization of keyboard shortcuts or knowledge of application-specific menus. It works the same way on smartphones and tablets as it does on computers. If you need multiple degree symbols in a document, you can paste the same symbol repeatedly without recopying it, as it remains on your clipboard.

Creating a personal reference saves time for frequent users. Some people bookmark a simple webpage containing just a degree symbol, so they