How To Enter A Degree Symbol In Excel | Shortcuts & Methods

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The fastest way to insert a degree symbol in Excel is the keyboard shortcut Alt+0176 on Windows or Option+Shift+8 on Mac.

Whether you’re logging temperatures, displaying angles, or formatting latitude and longitude, the degree symbol (°) is a common need in Excel spreadsheets. You don’t have to copy-paste it from another app every time. This guide covers every reliable method — keyboard shortcuts, formulas, the Insert Symbol menu, and a custom number format that automatically adds the symbol to numbers. All methods work in Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, 2019, and older versions on both Windows and Mac.

Keyboard Shortcut for Windows (Alt+0176)

The quickest and most widely used method on a Windows PC is the Alt code shortcut. It requires a numeric keypad.

  1. Click the cell where you want the degree symbol.
  2. Hold down the Alt key.
  3. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad.
  4. Release Alt.

    5. The degree symbol appears immediately. If your laptop lacks a dedicated numeric keypad, enable NumLock and use the emulated number keys (often found on letters like M, J, K, L). Some laptops require pressing Fn + NumLock first to activate the overlay. Without a numeric keypad or emulation, this shortcut will not work — skip to the other methods below.

    What is the Shortcut for Degree Symbol on Mac?

    On a Mac, the shortcut is even simpler: Option + Shift + 8. Press all three keys simultaneously. This works in any application, including Excel on macOS. No numeric keypad needed. If you’re using a MacBook or external Apple keyboard, the same shortcut applies across all macOS versions (Ventura, Sonoma, Monterey, etc.).

    Using the CHAR Function

    When you need to insert the degree symbol as part of a formula or cell content, use the =CHAR(176) function. This returns the degree character based on its ASCII code.

    1. Select a cell.
    2. Type =CHAR(176) and press Enter.

      3. The cell now contains the degree symbol. You can combine it with other text using concatenation, like =A1 & CHAR(176). The CHAR method works on both Windows and Mac and avoids any keyboard layout issues.

      Insert Symbol Dialog (Ribbon Method)

      For those who prefer a visual menu, Excel’s built-in Insert Symbol feature is always available:

      1. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
      2. Click Symbol (far right) then More Symbols.
      3. In the Font dropdown, keep it as (normal text) or your current font.
      4. Set Subset to Latin-1 Supplement.
      5. Find the degree symbol (°) in the grid, select it, and click Insert.

        6. This method works in every version of Excel and is useful when the keyboard shortcut is inconvenient. You can also set up an AutoCorrect entry to replace a short string (like “deg”) with the symbol automatically.

        Custom Number Format (Auto-Append to Numbers)

        If you need many cells to display a number followed by the degree symbol — for example, 25° — the cleanest approach is a custom number format. This keeps the underlying value numeric so you can still perform calculations.

        1. Select the cells you want to format.
        2. Right-click and choose Format Cells (or press Ctrl+1).
        3. Go to the Number tab and select Custom.
        4. In the Type field, delete any existing text and type 0° (for whole numbers) or 0.0° (for one decimal place).
        5. Click OK.

          6. To enter the degree symbol in the Type box, use the Alt+0176 shortcut or copy-paste it from another cell. Once applied, every number you type in those cells will automatically show with the degree symbol. The cell’s actual value remains a number, so summing “25° + 10°” works correctly.

          Method Comparison Table

          Method Best For Platform
          Alt+0176 Single fast inserts Windows (numeric keypad required)
          Option+Shift+8 Single fast inserts Mac
          =CHAR(176) Formulas & concatenation Windows & Mac
          Insert Symbol dialog Occasional use, visual search Windows & Mac
          Custom number format Multiple cells, math preservation Windows & Mac

          This table summarizes the core methods. For most users, the keyboard shortcut on their respective platform will be the daily driver.

          Still Not Working? Common Mistakes and Fixes

          If the degree symbol doesn’t appear, check these common errors:

          • Using the wrong shortcut on Mac: Alt+0176 does nothing on macOS. Use Option+Shift+8 instead.
          • Numeric keypad not active: On a laptop, ensure NumLock is on or use the emulation keys (sometimes marked with colored numbers on the keyboard).
          • Typing =CHAR(0176): Leading zeros are ignored, but the correct code is 176.
          • Custom format missing the symbol: If you typed 0 in the Format Cells Type field without the °, the symbol won’t appear. Re-enter it using the Alt code or paste.

          If you’re on an iPad or Android tablet, tap the 123 key on the on-screen keyboard, then hold the 0 key to reveal the degree symbol option.

          Troubleshooting Table

          Issue Likely Cause Fix
          Alt+0176 types other characters NumLock off or laptop emulation not active Enable NumLock; use Fn+NumLock if needed
          Degree symbol looks different Font does not support the character Use a standard font like Calibri or Arial
          Custom format shows 0° Format includes degree but number is not typed Enter a number in the cell
          CHAR function returns #VALUE! Typo in formula Ensure it is exactly =CHAR(176)

          Refer to this table if you run into problems. Most issues are resolved by verifying the shortcut or the numeric keypad setup.

          Degree Symbol Checklist

          • Windows desktop: Use Alt+0176 on numeric keypad.
          • Windows laptop: Enable NumLock first, then use the same shortcut with emulated keys.
          • Mac: Option+Shift+8 works every time.
          • Formula needs the symbol: Use =CHAR(176).
          • Multiple numbers need the symbol: Apply a custom number format like 0°.
          • Prefer the menu: Insert tab > Symbol > More Symbols > Latin-1 Supplement.

          Choose the method that fits your workflow. For most daily tasks, Alt+0176 (Windows) or Option+Shift+8 (Mac) is the fastest path to the degree symbol in Excel.

          References & Sources