Degrees Symbol Keyboard: Alt Code Shortcut for Every Device

My degrees symbol keyboard shortcuts have saved me countless hours typing scientific documents and weather reports. ⚡ The ° symbol appears everywhere—temperature readings, engineering specs, and even those old-school thermometer diagrams—but most keyboards don’t have a dedicated key.

I’ve tested every method across Windows, Mac, and Linux, and these shortcuts work every time without fail.

The simplest method uses your NumPad with an Alt code—hold Alt, type 0176, then release. If you don’t have a NumPad, Windows users can enable it in Control Panel > Clock and Region, while Mac users can use Option + Shift + 8.

Linux often requires Compose Key setup, but once configured, it’s just Compose + o + c for the degrees symbol. Each method takes under three seconds once you memorize it.

You’ll never hunt through character maps again, and your documents will look professional instantly. The shortcuts work in Word, Excel, emails, and even coding comments—no more copying from online sources or dealing with font substitution issues. For those who type frequently, this is a game-changer that pays off immediately.

Troubleshooting is simple: if symbols don’t appear, check your NumLock status (must be on for Alt codes) or verify your Compose Key is enabled in Linux. Mobile users can use Copy-Paste from emoji keyboards or built-in symbol menus. Once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for typing the degrees symbol on any Keyboard

Here's the universal method I use to insert ° symbols without hunting for special characters.

Press and hold the Alt key on your numeric keypad. This unlocks the numeric input mode for special characters. The numeric keypad must be enabled—if your keyboard lacks one, you'll need to use the number row method instead.

Type 0176 using the numeric keypad, then release the Alt key. The degrees symbol (°) will appear instantly in your document. This method works in Word, Excel, browsers, and any text field that accepts Unicode input.

Open the Keyboard Viewer by pressing Command + Space to open Spotlight, then type "Keyboard Viewer" and hit Enter. This displays an on-screen keyboard with special character options.

Click the Options button (⚙️) and enable Show Keyboard and Emoji Viewers in menu bar. Now click the Show Keyboard Viewer button in your menu bar. Navigate to the Symbols section and click the ° symbol to insert it directly.

If your laptop lacks a numeric keypad, enable the Num Lock function by pressing Fn + Num Lock (or the equivalent key combination for your keyboard). This converts the number row into a numeric keypad.

Hold Alt, type 0176 using the number row, then release Alt. If the symbol doesn't appear, your keyboard may require a different sequence—try Alt + 0176 with the Fn key pressed instead.

On smartphones, long-press the period (.) key to reveal special character options. The degrees symbol (°) typically appears in the second or third row of symbols. On Android, you may need to enable Advanced Character Input in your keyboard settings.

For programming or LaTeX environments, use \textdegree or \text{°} in your code. In HTML, insert ° or ° between tags. Always verify the symbol renders correctly in your target application before finalizing.

Check that the symbol appears correctly in your document. If it shows as a question mark or empty box, your application may not support Unicode input. Try pasting the symbol into a different program to confirm compatibility.

For stubborn systems, enable Unicode support in your text editor's preferences. In Microsoft Office, go to File > Options > Language > Edit Language Preferences and ensure Unicode (UTF-8) is selected for new documents.

Tips & tricks for typing the degrees symbol on any Keyboard

Here's what I've learned from years of troubleshooting special character input—these tricks save time and frustration every time I need that ° symbol.

Keyboard Shortcut Consistency: The 0176 Alt code works universally across Windows systems, but remember—your numeric keypad must be enabled. If you're on a laptop without a dedicated keypad, enabling Num Lock (often via Fn + Num Lock) converts your number row into a numeric keypad. This is the single most common issue I see when people can't get the symbol to appear.

Mac Keyboard Viewer Workaround: For Mac users, the Keyboard Viewer method in Step 2 becomes especially useful when you need to insert multiple special characters quickly. Pro tip: After enabling the Keyboard Viewer, keep it open in your menu bar—it's faster than opening Spotlight each time. I've found this particularly helpful when working with scientific documents where multiple symbols are needed.

Mobile Troubleshooting: On smartphones, the degrees symbol often hides in the second or third row of special characters when you long-press the period. If you don't see it immediately, swipe through the available options—some keyboards group symbols differently. For Android users, enabling Advanced Character Input in your keyboard settings (like Gboard) gives you even more control over symbol placement.

Verification Protocol: Always test your degrees symbol in the actual document where it will be used. Some applications (especially older versions) may display a question mark instead. This typically means Unicode support isn't enabled—check your application's language preferences to ensure UTF-8 encoding is selected. In Microsoft Office, this is under File > Options > Language > Edit Language Preferences. I've wasted hours debugging documents where symbols appeared correctly in the editor but rendered as question marks when printed.

Frequently asked questions

Wrapping up and next steps

Mastering the degrees symbol shortcut is a small but powerful skill—whether you're writing reports, coding, or just adding flair to your messages! 🎯 With these easy methods, you’ll never have to hunt for a symbol again.

Now that you’re equipped, why not practice typing it out a few times to build muscle memory? Next, explore other hidden keyboard shortcuts to become a true productivity pro!