How Do I Press a Degree on My Laptop?

Typing the degree symbol (°) on your laptop is straightforward, primarily done through a quick keyboard shortcut or various built-in system tools.

Direct Keyboard Shortcuts for the Degree Symbol

The quickest way to insert the degree symbol is by using specific keyboard combinations unique to Windows and Mac operating systems.

Windows Laptops: The Alt Code Method

For Windows users, the Alt code is a highly efficient way to type the degree symbol. This method leverages your keyboard's numeric keypad.

Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol to appear.
Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard.
While holding Alt, type 0176 using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard.
Release the Alt key. The degree symbol (°) will instantly appear.

Important Note: This method requires a numeric keypad. If your laptop doesn't have a dedicated numeric keypad, you might need to activate a "Num Lock" function, which turns a section of your main keyboard (often keys like 7, 8, 9, U, I, O, J, K, L, M) into a virtual numeric keypad. Look for an Fn key in combination with Num Lock if this is the case.

Mac Laptops: A Simple Combination

Mac users have an even simpler shortcut:

Hold down the Option key (sometimes labeled Alt).
Hold down the Shift key.
While holding both, press the number 8 key.
The degree symbol (°) will appear.

Alternative Methods for Inserting the Degree Symbol

Beyond direct keyboard shortcuts, several other methods allow you to insert the degree symbol, especially useful if you forget the shortcuts or need to access a wider range of special characters.

Using the Character Map (Windows)

Windows' built-in Character Map tool allows you to find and insert almost any character.

Open Character Map: Search for "Character Map" in your Windows search bar and open the application.
Locate the Symbol: In the Character Map window, ensure the font is set to a common one like "Arial" or "Times New Roman." Scroll through the characters until you find the degree symbol (°).
Select and Copy: Click on the degree symbol, then click Select, and then Copy.
Paste: Go back to your document or text field and paste the symbol (Ctrl + V).

For more details on using special characters in Windows, you can refer to Microsoft's official guide.

Emoji & Symbols Panel (Windows 10/11)

Modern Windows versions offer an emoji and symbols panel for quick access to various characters.

Open the Panel: Press the Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon).
Navigate to Symbols: Click on the Ω symbol at the top of the panel to switch to the symbols section.
Find the Degree Symbol: You can usually find the degree symbol under the "General punctuation" or "Math symbols" category.
Insert: Click on the degree symbol to insert it directly into your text.

Character Viewer (Mac)

Mac's Character Viewer is similar to Windows' Character Map.

Open Character Viewer: In most applications, go to the Edit menu and select Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Spacebar).
Search or Browse: In the Character Viewer, type "degree" in the search bar, or navigate to the "Symbols" or "Math Symbols" category.
Insert: Double-click the degree symbol to insert it into your document.

For more information on typing characters with accent marks and special characters on a Mac, visit Apple Support.

Insert Symbol Feature in Word Processors

Most word processing applications like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice Writer have a dedicated "Insert Symbol" function.

Go to the Insert tab/menu.
Look for Symbol or Special Characters.
Browse the available symbols or search for "degree" to find and insert it.

Copy and Paste from the Web

A straightforward method, especially for infrequent use, is to simply copy the degree symbol from a reliable online source or a search result (e.g., search "degree symbol copy paste") and paste it into your document.

Choosing Your Method

The best method depends on your operating system, frequency of use, and personal preference.

Method	Operating System	Best For	Ease of Use
Alt + 0176	Windows	Frequent use, quick insertion (with num pad)	Very Easy
Option + Shift + 8	Mac	Frequent use, quick insertion	Very Easy
Character Map/Viewer	Windows/Mac	Infrequent use, exploring symbols	Moderate (a few clicks)
Emoji & Symbols Panel	Windows 10/11	Infrequent use, visual selection	Easy
Word Processor Insert Symbol	All	Within specific applications, occasional use	Moderate
Copy and Paste	All	Very infrequent use, quick fix	Easy

By using these methods, you can easily insert the degree symbol into any text on your laptop, enhancing your documents with precise notation.