You're typing up a weather report, a chemistry lab result, or maybe just bragging about how hot it is in Phoenix right now. You hit 98 and then... nothing. You pause. You could type out the word "degrees," but that feels clunky and unprofessional. Most people end up searching Google for "degree symbol," copying it from a random website, and pasting it into their document. It works, sure. But it’s a massive waste of time. Learning the alt key for degree symbol is one of those tiny productivity "hacks" that actually makes you look like you know your way around a keyboard. Honestly, it’s just a four-number code. Once it’s in your muscle memory, you’ll never hunt for it again.
It is 2026, and we are still using keyboard layouts designed decades ago. That’s why these hidden shortcuts exist.
Why the Alt Key for Degree Symbol is Your Best Friend
Windows users have it both easiest and hardest. If you have a dedicated number pad on the right side of your keyboard, you’re in luck. The most common and reliable method is the Alt code. Hold down the Alt key and type 0176 on that numpad. The second you let go of the Alt key, that little circle appears. Magic.
Wait.
There is actually another one. Some people swear by Alt + 248. It produces the exact same symbol ($°$). Why are there two? It dates back to the old IBM PC character sets. Alt + 248 comes from the original OEM Code Page 437, while 0176 is part of the Windows-1252 character set (often called ANSI). In most modern apps like Word, Slack, or Chrome, they are interchangeable. If one doesn't work, try the other.
But what if you're on a laptop? This is where people get frustrated.
🔗 Read more: Calculating Age From DOB: Why Your Math Is Probably Wrong
Most modern laptops ditched the physical number pad to save space. If you try typing those numbers on the top row of your keyboard while holding Alt, nothing happens. It’s annoying. You usually have to hold a Fn (Function) key to activate a "hidden" numpad overlaid on your regular letters (usually J, K, L, U, I, O), but even that is disappearing from newer Dell and HP models. If you’re numpad-less, don't panic. There are better ways than copying and pasting from Wikipedia.
Beyond the Numpad: Character Maps and Word Shortcuts
Microsoft knows the Alt code isn't perfect for everyone. If you’re inside Microsoft Word, you don’t even need the alt key for degree symbol. You can use a specific "hotkey" combo that feels a bit more natural for touch typists. Press Ctrl + Shift + @ (which is actually the 2 key), let go, and then hit the Spacebar.
Boom. Degree symbol.
It feels a bit like a secret fighting game combo, but it’s remarkably fast once you get the rhythm down.
The Windows Character Map
Sometimes you just want to see all your options. If the codes aren't sticking in your brain, hit the Windows Key and type "Character Map." This little utility has been in Windows since roughly the dawn of time. It looks ancient because it is. But it’s reliable. You can find the degree symbol, select it, and copy it. Interestingly, if you click on the symbol in the Character Map, it actually shows you the Alt code in the bottom right corner. It’s like a built-in cheat sheet.
💡 You might also like: Installing a Push Button Start Kit: What You Need to Know Before Tearing Your Dash Apart
The Emoji Panel (The Modern Way)
Since 2023 and 2024 updates, Windows 11 has made this way easier. If you press Windows Key + . (period), it opens the emoji and symbol picker. Most people use this for 🚀 or 😂, but if you click on the "Symbols" tab (the little omega $\Omega$ icon), you can find the degree symbol under the general punctuation or math symbols section. It’s much more visual and doesn't require memorizing "0176."
Mac and Linux: A Different World
Apple handled this much more gracefully than Microsoft did. If you’re on a MacBook or an iMac, forget the four-digit codes. To get the degree symbol, you just hit Option + Shift + 8.
That’s it.
There is also a slightly smaller circle if you just hit Option + K, but that’s technically the "ring above" diacritic, not the formal degree symbol. Use Option + Shift + 8 for temperature and angles. It’s the "correct" version.
Linux users, as usual, have it the most technical way. You’ll likely use the "Compose Key" sequence. Usually, it's Compose + o + o. It’s logical, but you have to have a Compose key mapped in your settings first.
📖 Related: Maya How to Mirror: What Most People Get Wrong
Common Mistakes and Why Your Code Failed
If you tried the alt key for degree symbol and got a weird character or a beep, a few things might be happening.
- Num Lock is Off: This is the #1 culprit. If Num Lock isn't on, your number pad acts like arrow keys. Instead of typing a symbol, you might just jump to the top of your page.
- The Wrong Alt Key: On some international keyboards, the "AltGr" key (the one on the right) behaves differently than the left "Alt" key. Stick to the left one for codes.
- Application Interference: Some apps, especially specialized CAD software or old terminal emulators, intercept Alt commands for their own menus. In those cases, the Emoji Panel (Win + .) is your best fallback.
Real-World Usage: Math vs. Temperature
Interestingly, there's a tiny bit of controversy in the world of typography. Is the degree symbol supposed to have a space before it?
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), when you are talking about Celsius or Fahrenheit, there should be a space between the number and the symbol, but no space between the symbol and the letter. So, 25 °C is technically more correct than 25°C. However, if you are just using the degree symbol for angles (like a 90° turn), there is no space at all.
Most people don't care. Your boss probably won't fire you for 98°F. But if you're writing a scientific paper, these little details matter.
Actionable Steps to Master the Symbol
Stop clicking through menus. Here is how you actually fix this problem for good:
- If you have a Numpad: Commit Alt + 0176 to memory today. Type it ten times in a Notepad file right now.
- If you are on a Laptop: Start using Win + . (period). It is faster than searching the web for a symbol to copy.
- For Mac users: Stick to Option + Shift + 8.
- Custom Autocorrect: If you use the degree symbol constantly, go into your Word or Google Docs settings and create an "Auto-replace" rule. Set it so that when you type
(deg), it automatically changes to °. This is the true pro move for writers.
Knowing the alt key for degree symbol isn't going to change your life, but it removes one of those tiny, friction-filled moments from your workday. No more copying from websites. No more writing out "degrees" like a middle-schooler. Just a clean, professional symbol exactly where it belongs.