Adding the degree symbol in Word (°) is essential when writing about temperatures, angles, or measurements. Whether you’re creating a scientific report, academic document, or cooking recipe, inserting this tiny but important symbol can be done easily using built-in shortcuts and methods across Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. In this guide, you’ll learn the quickest ways to insert the degree symbol in Word on all major platforms—so you never have to copy it from Google again.
🪟 How to Insert the Degree Symbol in Word on Windows
✅ Keyboard Shortcut:
- Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol.
- Press:
Alt + 0176 (using the numeric keypad)
📌 Make sure Num Lock is on, and use the numeric keypad—not the number row.
✅ Alternative Methods:
- Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols
- Choose Unicode (hex): type
00B0
and click Insert
💡 Once used, Word often remembers recently used symbols for faster access.
🍏 How to Type the Degree Symbol on macOS
✅ Keyboard Shortcut:
- Option + Shift + 8
This instantly inserts the ° symbol wherever your cursor is in Microsoft Word or any text field.
✅ From the Menu:
- Go to Edit > Emoji & Symbols or press
Control + Command + Space
- Search for “degree”
- Double-click the symbol to insert
📎 Works in Word, Pages, Notes, and most Mac apps.
🐧 How to Insert the Degree Symbol in Word on Ubuntu/Linux
If you’re using LibreOffice Writer or Word Online on Ubuntu, here’s how to do it:
✅ Shortcut in LibreOffice:
- Ctrl + Shift + U, then type b0 and press Enter
→ This enters the Unicode degree symbol (°)
✅ Copy-Paste Method:
- Simply copy this: °
- Paste it where needed in Word Online or LibreOffice
✅ Character Map:
- Use gucharmap (GNOME Character Map)
- Search for “degree” and insert the symbol
📊 Summary of Degree Symbol Shortcuts
Platform | Shortcut | Notes |
---|---|---|
Windows | Alt + 0176 | Use numeric keypad |
macOS | Option + Shift + 8 | Works in all Mac apps |
Ubuntu | Ctrl + Shift + U , then b0 | Press Enter after typing code |
🧠 When to Use the Degree Symbol in Word
- Temperature notation: 30°C or 72°F
- Mathematical angles: 90° angle
- Geographical coordinates: 40.7128° N
- Scientific and engineering texts
- Cooking instructions: Preheat oven to 180°C
🔧 Bonus: Add Degree Symbol to AutoCorrect in Word
Make typing ° even faster by creating a shortcut:
- Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options
- In “Replace”, type
deg
- In “With”, paste the degree symbol
°
- Click Add, then OK
Now, typing “deg” and pressing space will automatically insert °.
❓ FAQ – Degree Symbol in Word
Can I use the degree symbol in Word Online?
Yes. Paste it (°), or use Insert > Symbol if supported by the browser.
Why doesn’t Alt + 0176 work on my laptop?
You may not have a numeric keypad. Try using the Fn + NumLock key to enable a virtual keypad.
Is the degree symbol a standard Unicode character?
Yes, it’s Unicode U+00B0, and supported across all modern platforms.
Can I use the degree symbol in Excel and PowerPoint too?
Absolutely! The same shortcuts and methods work in all Office apps.
✅ Conclusion
Inserting the degree symbol in Word is simple once you know the right keyboard shortcuts for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. Whether you’re writing about science, math, geography, or weather, the ° symbol is just a few keystrokes away. Make it part of your everyday writing toolkit and save time with custom AutoCorrect entries or favorite symbol lists.
Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.
https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/
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