Degree Symbol on Keyboard (°) — How to Type It on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Word, Excel & Google Docs
The degree symbol (°) is used for temperatures (like 25°C) and angles (like 90°). If you’re trying to type it and you can’t find it on your keyboard, don’t worry — it’s easy once you know the right shortcut for your device.
This guide shows the quickest ways to type the degree sign (°) on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and in Word, Excel, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.
1-Minute Answer (Fastest ways)
Here are the shortcuts most people need:
- Windows (Alt code): Hold Alt and type 0176 on the number keypad → °
- Mac: Shift + Option (⌥) + 8 → °
- iPhone / Android: Press and hold 0 → pick °
- Word (Windows): Ctrl + Shift + @, then press Space
- Excel / Google Sheets formula:
=CHAR(176)→ °
Degree symbol quick reference
Degree symbol: °
Unicode: U+00B0
HTML: ° or °
Shortcuts table
| Where you’re typing | Shortcut / Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (any app) | Alt + 0176 | Needs number keypad |
| Mac (any app) | Shift + Option + 8 | Works system-wide |
| iPhone / Android | Hold 0 | On the number keyboard |
| Word (Windows) | Ctrl + Shift + @, then Space | Often feels like Ctrl + Shift + 2, then Space |
| Excel / Sheets | =CHAR(176) | Great for formulas |
| Google Docs | Insert → Special characters → search “degree” | Works everywhere |
Copy and paste the degree symbol (°)
If you just need it right now, copy this:
°
How to type the degree symbol on Windows
Method 1: Use the Alt code (fastest)
- Turn Num Lock ON.
- Click where you want to insert the symbol.
- Hold the Alt key.
- Type 0176 on the number keypad.
- Release Alt → you get °.
If Alt + 0176 doesn’t work
This usually happens because:
- You typed 0176 using the top row numbers (Alt codes need the number keypad)
- Num Lock is off
- Your laptop doesn’t have a true keypad
If that’s your situation, use the next method below.
Method 2: Use the Windows Emoji/Symbol panel (works on laptops)
- Press Windows + . (or Windows + ;)
- Go to the Symbols section
- Find and click °
This works in many places: browsers, emails, Google Docs, Word, etc.
Method 3: Use Character Map (good fallback)
- Open the Start menu and search Character Map
- Find the Degree sign (°)
- Click Select → Copy
- Paste it where you need it
How to type the degree symbol on Mac
Mac shortcut (fastest)
Press:
Shift + Option (⌥) + 8 → °
This works in Word, Pages, Google Docs, Notes, browsers — basically anywhere on Mac.
Optional: Use the Character Viewer
If you prefer browsing symbols:
- Press Control + Command + Space
- Search degree
- Double-click ° to insert
How to type the degree symbol in Microsoft Word
Method 1: Word shortcut (Windows)
- Press Ctrl + Shift + @
- Press Space
You’ll get °.
Note (important): On many keyboards, @ is typed using Shift + 2.
So it often feels like you’re pressing:
Ctrl + Shift + 2, then Space
(That’s normal — it’s still the same Word shortcut.)
Method 2: Insert Symbol menu (Word Windows & Mac)
- Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols
- Find Degree sign (°)
- Click Insert
Method 3: AutoCorrect trick (best for frequent use)
If you type degrees often (teachers, students, weather, math, geography), set an AutoCorrect shortcut:
- In Word, go to File → Options
- Click Proofing → AutoCorrect Options
- In “Replace”, type something like:
deg - In “With”, paste: °
- Click Add → OK
Now typing deg (followed by space) can automatically become °.
How to type the degree symbol in Excel (and Google Sheets)
Method 1: Alt code (Windows Excel)
Use:
Alt + 0176 (number keypad)
Method 2: Use a formula (Excel + Google Sheets)
In a cell, type:
=CHAR(176)
To combine a number + degree symbol (example: 30°):
=30&CHAR(176)
To show Celsius or Fahrenheit (example: 30°C):
=30&CHAR(176)&"C"
Method 3: Custom number format (great for temperature columns)
If you want a whole column of numbers to display as degrees:
- Select the cells
- Press Ctrl + 1 (Format Cells)
- Go to Number → Custom
- Type this format:
0°
Now 30 will display as 30° (while still staying a number for calculations).
How to type the degree symbol in Google Docs
Method 1: Insert Special Characters
- Go to Insert → Special characters
- Search degree
- Click °
Method 2: Mac shortcut (if you’re on a Mac)
Use:
Shift + Option + 8
How to type the degree symbol on iPhone and Android
On most phones:
- Open the keyboard
- Go to the numbers/symbols keyboard (
?123or#+=) - Press and hold 0
- Choose °
If you don’t see it, try switching to a different keyboard layout (some third-party keyboards hide it in a different place).
Degrees in coordinates
If you’re typing coordinates, you may need this format:
5° 30′ 10″
- ° = degrees
- ′ = minutes
- ″ = seconds
These are not normal apostrophes/quotes — they’re prime symbols.
Troubleshooting
“Alt + 0176 isn’t working”
Try these fixes:
- Make sure you’re using the number keypad, not the top row
- Turn Num Lock ON
- If you’re on a laptop without a keypad, use Windows + . or copy/paste
“I typed º but it looks wrong”
That character (º) is not the degree symbol.
- ° = degree sign (temperature/angles)
- º = ordinal indicator (used in some languages)
They look similar, but they are different characters.
“What if I need °C or °F?”
You can type:
25then°thenC→ 25°C- Or use the single symbols ℃ and ℉.
FAQ
What is the Alt code for the degree symbol?
The most common Windows Alt code is Alt + 0176 (using the number keypad).
How do I type the degree symbol on a laptop without a number pad?
Use Windows + . to open the symbols panel, or copy/paste °. You can also use Character Map.
How do I type the degree symbol on Mac?
Press Shift + Option (⌥) + 8.
How do I insert the degree symbol in Google Docs?
Go to Insert → Special characters, search degree, and click °.
Is º the same as °?
No. º is an ordinal symbol. ° is the degree symbol.
Quick recap
- Windows: Alt + 0176 (numpad) or Windows + . symbols panel
- Mac: Shift + Option + 8
- Word: Ctrl + Shift + @ then Space, or Insert → Symbol
- Excel/Sheets:
=CHAR(176) - iPhone/Android: hold 0