How To Put Degree Symbol On Word

How to Insert the Degree Symbol in Microsoft Word

If you need to add the degree symbol (°) in Microsoft Word, this guide walks you through several quick and reliable methods. On top of that, whether you are documenting temperature, angles, or geographic coordinates, inserting the degree symbol correctly can improve the professionalism of your documents. Below you’ll find step‑by‑step instructions, explanations of why each method works, and tips for making the symbol a permanent part of your workflow.

Introduction

The degree symbol is a small, superscript circle placed slightly above the baseline. It is used in many fields, from meteorology (e.g.That said, , “25 °C”) to mathematics (e. Now, g. Even so, , “90°”) and even in engineering drawings. While Word offers multiple ways to insert this character, many users rely on trial and error or external tools, which can slow down document creation. By mastering the built‑in options, you can type the degree symbol as quickly as you would any other letter, saving time and keeping your documents clean The details matter here..

Steps to Insert the Degree Symbol

1. Use the Alt‑Code Shortcut (Numeric Keypad)

How it works: The degree symbol corresponds to the numeric code 0176 in Windows’s ANSI code page. When you press Alt + 0176 while the numeric keypad is active, Word converts the code into the symbol.

Steps:

1. Open your Word document and place the cursor where you want the symbol.
2. Ensure the Num Lock key is on and that you are using the numeric keypad (not the top‑row numbers).
3. Press and hold the Alt key.
4. While holding Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad.
5. Release both keys. The degree symbol should appear.

Tip: If you frequently need the symbol, consider adding it to your Quick Access Toolbar or creating a keyboard shortcut using the AutoCorrect feature (see Method 5).

2. Insert via the Symbol Dialog Box

How it works: Word’s Symbol dialog provides a searchable library of special characters, including the degree symbol. This method is useful if you are using a laptop without a numeric keypad or if you prefer a visual picker And it works..

Steps:

1. Click Insert in the ribbon.
2. Select Symbol → More Symbols… (or simply click the small arrow in the bottom‑right corner of the Symbol group).
3. In the Symbol window, set Font to Arial or Calibri (both contain the degree symbol).
4. In the Character code field, type 00B0 (the Unicode value for the degree symbol) and press Enter to jump directly to the character.
5. Click Insert, then Close.

Alternative: You can also scroll through the character map until you locate the degree symbol and double‑click it to insert That's the whole idea..

3. Use the Keyboard Shortcut with the Insert Symbol Feature

How it works: Some users prefer a one‑time shortcut that inserts the symbol without opening a dialog. You can create a custom shortcut using Word’s Customize Keyboard feature.

Steps:

1. Press Alt + F10 to open the Customize Keyboard dialog (or go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon → Keyboard shortcuts → Customize).
2. In the Categories dropdown, select Insert (or Symbol).
3. In the Commands list, choose Insert Symbol.
4. Press the key combination you want to assign (e.g., Ctrl + Shift + D).
5. Click Assign and then Close.

Now, pressing your chosen shortcut will open the Symbol dialog directly, allowing you to select the degree symbol with a single extra click.

4. Copy and Paste from Another Source

How it works: If you encounter the degree symbol elsewhere (e.g., on a website, PDF, or another document), you can simply copy it and paste it into Word. This method is fastest when you already have the symbol in a text editor or a web page Nothing fancy..

Steps:

1. Locate the degree symbol in your source.
2. Highlight the symbol and press Ctrl + C to copy.
3. Return to your Word document, place the cursor, and press Ctrl + V.

Tip: To ensure the symbol retains its formatting, paste using Paste Special → Keep Text Only if the surrounding style is interfering.

5. Create an AutoCorrect Entry for Repeated Use

How it works: Word’s AutoCorrect feature can automatically replace a specific text string with the degree symbol. This is ideal for documents that contain many temperature readings or angular measurements Worth knowing..

Steps:

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing.
2. Click the AutoCorrect Options… button.
3. In the Replace field, type a short abbreviation you’ll remember, such as deg.
4. In the With field, press Ctrl + Shift + U (or any other key combination) to insert the symbol, or copy and paste the degree symbol directly into this field.
5. Click Add, then OK.

Now, whenever you type deg and press Space, Word will automatically convert it to the degree symbol. You can also assign a custom keyboard shortcut for the AutoCorrect entry by using the Customize Keyboard dialog described earlier.

Scientific Explanation

The degree symbol originates from the Latin word *gradus