Ever needed to type a ° degree symbol on your laptop running Windows 11 — maybe for temperature (°C/°F), math angles, or geometry homework — and couldn’t find it on your keyboard? You’re not alone.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover all the different ways you can type the degree symbol on Windows 11 laptops, whether you’re using a full-sized keyboard, a compact one without a numeric keypad, or even a touch screen.
By the end, you’ll know several fast methods — including keyboard shortcuts, Character Map, emoji panel, and copy-paste options.
📌 Quick Summary
If you just need the fastest way:
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Keyboard shortcut (with numpad): Hold Alt + type 0176 on numeric keypad → °
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Emoji panel: Press Win + . → Search “degree” → Click symbol
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Character Map: Open Character Map → Copy ° → Paste anywhere
🖋️ Why You Might Need to Type a Degree Symbol
Here are some common scenarios where typing ° is useful:
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Temperature: 25°C, 70°F
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Angles: 90°, 45°
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Mathematics & Geometry: Trigonometry problems
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Science & Engineering: Latitude/Longitude (e.g., 37° N)
Knowing the shortcuts saves you time and keeps your documents professional-looking.
✅ Different Methods to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows 11
We’ll explore multiple ways to do this, so you can pick the one that works best for your keyboard and workflow.
1️⃣ Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Alt Code)
If your laptop has a numeric keypad (or if you can enable NumLock and use number keys):
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Place the cursor where you want to type the degree symbol.
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Hold Alt key.
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Type 0176 on the numeric keypad.
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Release Alt.
Result: ° appears instantly.
💡 Tip: You must use the numeric keypad, not the number row above letters.
2️⃣ Method 2: Use Emoji Panel
If you don’t have a numpad, use Windows 11’s emoji and symbol picker:
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Press Win + . (Windows key + period) together.
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Click the Symbols tab (Ω icon).
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Scroll or search for “degree.”
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Click ° to insert it.
This works in Word, Notepad, browsers, and even chat apps.
3️⃣ Method 3: Character Map
Windows includes a built-in Character Map tool that lets you copy symbols:
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Press Win + S and type Character Map → Open it.
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In Character Map, select font (usually Arial or Calibri).
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Scroll until you find the ° symbol.
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Click Select → Copy.
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Paste it (Ctrl + V) where needed.
4️⃣ Method 4: Copy-Paste from the Web
Simplest way — just copy this: °
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Copy once and paste whenever you need it.
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You can even keep it saved in a Notepad file for quick access.
5️⃣ Method 5: On-Screen Keyboard
If you can’t use a physical keyboard:
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Press Win + Ctrl + O to open On-Screen Keyboard.
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Switch to numeric layout.
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Use Alt + 0176 on the on-screen numpad.
6️⃣ Method 6: Word’s Insert Symbol Feature
If you’re writing in Microsoft Word or Outlook:
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Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols.
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Select font (e.g., Times New Roman).
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Find ° in the list and click Insert.
🔧 Troubleshooting Common Problems
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Alt code doesn’t work | Ensure NumLock is ON and use numeric keypad |
| Laptop has no numpad | Use Win + . emoji panel method |
| Symbol not showing correctly | Change font to Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri |
| Want to use frequently | Add ° to AutoCorrect in Word or save in clipboard manager |
📊 Comparison of Methods
| Method | Speed | Works Without Numpad? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alt Code | Fast | ❌ | Desktop keyboards, external numpads |
| Emoji Panel | Fast | ✅ | Laptops without numpad |
| Character Map | Medium | ✅ | Copying multiple symbols |
| Copy-Paste | Very Fast | ✅ | Quick one-time use |
| Word Insert | Medium | ✅ | Office users |
🧠 Pro Tips
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Create a shortcut in Word: Set ° to auto-replace when you type
deg. -
Use Clipboard History: Press Win + V to quickly re-paste °.
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External Numpad: If you type symbols often, get a USB numpad for faster Alt codes.
✅ Conclusion
Typing the degree symbol on Windows 11 laptops is easy once you know the shortcuts. Whether you use Alt codes, the emoji panel, or Character Map, you can add ° to your documents, emails, and chats in seconds.
📌 Key Takeaways
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Alt + 0176 is the quickest method if you have a numeric keypad.
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Use Win + . for laptops without numpads.
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Character Map is a reliable fallback method for any symbol.
❓ FAQs About Typing the Degree Symbol
Q1: What is the Alt code for the degree symbol?
A1: Hold Alt and type 0176 on numeric keypad.
Q2: How do I type ° on a laptop without a numpad?
A2: Use Win + . to open emoji/symbol panel and select degree symbol.
Q3: Can I make a custom shortcut for °?
A3: Yes — in Microsoft Word, go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect and assign a shortcut.
Q4: Why is my Alt code not working?
A4: Check if NumLock is turned ON. Without it, Alt codes won’t register.
Q5: Does this method work in browsers and chat apps?
A5: Yes — the emoji panel method works everywhere text can be typed.