How to Insert a Degree Symbol in Word (3 Methods)

The degree sign looks like a small superscript “o”, but it is its own character. Using the real ° keeps temperatures and angles consistent, searchable and correctly spaced in print and PDF.

• Insert ° with an equation
• Type ° with a keyboard shortcut
• Insert ° from the Symbol menu

Inserting the degree symbol with an equation

Use this when the degree is part of a formula, such as an angle in a trigonometry problem.

1. Press Alt + = on Windows, or go to Insert > Equation.
2. Type \degree and press Space.
3. Continue typing the rest of the equation.

Result: ° appears inside the equation.

\degree is one of Word’s built-in Math AutoCorrect codes, listed in Microsoft’s linear format equations guide. The same list includes \degC for ℃ and \degf for ℉.

Note: Don’t use \circ for degrees. It gives the ring operator (∘), which looks similar but is a different character.

For full formulas, see how to write math equations in Word.

Typing the degree symbol with a keyboard shortcut

Use this when you are typing normal text, such as “25 °C”, and want the fastest route.

Alt code (Windows, numeric keypad):

1. Make sure Num Lock is on.
2. Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad.
3. Release Alt.

Unicode shortcut (Word for Windows, any keyboard):

1. Type B0 (or 00B0).
2. Press Alt + X.

Mac: press Option + Shift + 8 (US keyboard layout).

Result: a ° character at the cursor.

Tip: B0 + Alt + X fails after a letter or number, because Word reads them as part of the code. Type a space first, or select just B0 before pressing Alt + X.

Inserting the degree symbol from the Symbol menu

Use this when you don’t remember a code, or your keyboard has no numeric keypad and you’re not in Word for Windows.

This follows Microsoft’s own steps to insert a degree symbol:

1. Click where the symbol should go.
2. Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
3. Set Font to (normal text) and Subset to Latin-1 Supplement.
4. Select the degree sign (°), then Insert and Close.

Result: ° is inserted and added to the recently used symbols under Insert > Symbol.

When you select ° in the dialog, the bottom of it shows the Character code (00B0). Use that code with Alt + X next time. Select Shortcut Key to assign your own key combination.

On a Mac, go to Insert > Advanced Symbol > Symbols.

Comparing the methods

For π, ±, Δ and other characters, the special symbols in Word table lists every code in one place.

Troubleshooting

• Alt + 0176 does nothing: you used the number row, not the keypad, or Num Lock is off. Use B0 + Alt + X instead.
• You get º instead of °: that’s the masculine ordinal (Alt + 0186), used in Spanish and Portuguese. It has an underline in some fonts. Use 0176.
• The symbol looks too high or too low: some fonts draw ° differently. Changing the font usually fixes it; don’t apply superscript to it.
• Alt + X does nothing in Word for the web: it’s a desktop Word shortcut. Use Insert > Symbol, or the Alt code if your keyboard has a keypad.

Browse more symbol and equation guides in the Microsoft Word guides.