To type the degree symbol (°) on Windows, make sure Num Lock is on, hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, and release Alt. If your laptop doesn’t have a number pad, press Windows + . (period) to open the emoji panel, click the Symbols tab (Ω), and pick °. In Microsoft Word, you can also go to Insert > Symbol, or type 00B0 and press Alt + X.
Method 1: Alt code (keyboards with a number pad)
- Click where you want the symbol.
- Turn on Num Lock.
- Hold down Alt.
- Type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row above the letters).
- Release Alt. The ° appears.
Alt + 248 also works in many apps. Alt codes don’t work with the number keys across the top of the keyboard.
Method 2: Emoji panel symbols (any keyboard)
- Press Windows + . (period) or Windows + ; (semicolon).
- Click the Symbols tab (Ω).
- Choose Math symbols or General punctuation and click °. After you use it once, it appears under Recently used.
Method 3: Microsoft Word shortcuts
- Unicode shortcut: Type 00B0 (or B0), then press Alt + X. Word converts it to °.
- Insert Symbol: Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, set Subset to Latin-1 Supplement, and double-click °.
- AutoCorrect: In the Symbol dialog, select ° and click AutoCorrect. Set a shortcut, like (deg), that Word replaces automatically.
Method 4: Character Map
- Click Start, type Character Map, and open it.
- Check Advanced view, type degree in Search for, and click Search.
- Click °, then Select and Copy.
- Paste it with Ctrl + V.
Method 5: Touch keyboard
On a touchscreen or with the touch keyboard turned on, tap &123, then press and hold the 0 key (or look on the symbols page) to find °.
Laptop without a number pad?
- Some laptops have an embedded keypad on the letter keys (usually U, I, O, J, K, L, M). Turn it on with Fn + Num Lk or Fn + F11, then hold Alt and type 0176 using those keys.
- Otherwise, the emoji panel (Method 2) is the easiest option.
Related symbols
| Symbol | Name | Alt code |
|---|---|---|
| ° | Degree | Alt + 0176 |
| ℃ | Degree Celsius | Word: 2103, then Alt + X |
| ℉ | Degree Fahrenheit | Word: 2109, then Alt + X |
| ± | Plus-minus | Alt + 0177 |
| ² | Squared | Alt + 0178 |
Most people write temperatures as 72°F or 22°C using the regular degree symbol followed by the letter.
Related: How to type the degree symbol on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn’t Alt + 0176 work?
Num Lock may be off, or you’re using the top number row. Use the numeric keypad, or try the emoji panel instead.
How do I type the degree symbol on a Mac?
Press Option + Shift + 8. Option + K gives a similar ring symbol (˚) that’s sometimes used instead.
Can I type a degree symbol in Excel?
Yes. Alt + 0176 works in Excel, or use Insert > Symbol.
How do I type ° on my phone?
On iPhone and Android keyboards, switch to numbers and press and hold 0 to see °.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.