Typing the degree symbol on a Mac is simple once you know where to look. Whether you are writing temperatures, angles, geographic coordinates, or technical notes, the correct degree sign helps your text look professional and precise. The Mac keyboard does not display the symbol directly on most layouts, but macOS offers several reliable ways to enter it.
TLDR: The fastest way to type the degree symbol on a Mac is Option + Shift + 8, which produces °. You can also use the Character Viewer, set up a Text Replacement, copy and paste the symbol, or use Unicode Hex Input. For most users, the keyboard shortcut is the easiest everyday method, while Text Replacement is best if you type the symbol frequently.
Why the Degree Symbol Matters
The degree symbol, written as °, is used in several common contexts. You might write 22°C when discussing temperature, 90° when describing an angle, or 40.7128° N when noting geographic coordinates. Although it is small, it is not the same as a lowercase letter o, a superscript zero, or the masculine ordinal indicator used in some languages.
Using the proper symbol is especially important in academic, scientific, engineering, legal, and professional writing. It improves accuracy and avoids confusion. Fortunately, macOS includes multiple built-in methods for entering the degree sign without installing extra software.
1. Use the Mac Keyboard Shortcut: Option + Shift + 8
The easiest and most reliable way to type the degree symbol on a Mac is with a keyboard shortcut:
Press: Option + Shift + 8
This inserts the degree symbol: °
For example:
- 25°C
- 180° angle
- 37.7749° N
To use the shortcut, place your cursor where you want the symbol to appear, then hold down the Option key and the Shift key at the same time. While holding both keys, press 8. Release the keys, and the degree sign should appear immediately.
This shortcut works in most Mac applications, including Pages, Notes, Mail, Safari, Chrome, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Excel, Numbers, and many text editors. It is the method most Mac users should learn first because it is fast, accurate, and available almost everywhere.
Common Shortcut Mistake
Be careful not to press Option + 0 or type the letter o. Depending on your keyboard settings, those may produce different characters or simply insert a regular letter. The standard Mac shortcut for the degree sign is Option + Shift + 8.
2. Insert the Degree Sign with Character Viewer
If you prefer choosing symbols visually, macOS includes a built-in tool called Character Viewer. It lets you search for special characters and insert them into your document.
To use Character Viewer:
- Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol.
- Press Control + Command + Space.
- In the search box, type degree.
- Select the degree symbol from the results.
- Double-click it or click it once to insert it, depending on the app.
This method is helpful if you do not remember the keyboard shortcut or if you need to insert other symbols at the same time. Character Viewer includes mathematical signs, currency symbols, punctuation marks, arrows, accented letters, and more.
It is also useful when you want to confirm that you are using the actual degree sign. You can search for degree and select the correct character instead of guessing.
When Character Viewer Is the Better Choice
The Character Viewer is slightly slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it is very dependable. It is a good option for occasional use, for users who work with many different symbols, or for anyone who wants a visual confirmation before inserting a special character.
3. Create a Text Replacement for the Degree Symbol
If you type the degree symbol often, you can create a custom text shortcut using macOS Text Replacement. This lets you type a short phrase, such as deg or ;deg, and have your Mac automatically replace it with °.
To set it up:
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Keyboard.
- Find Text Replacements or Text Input, depending on your macOS version.
- Click the plus button to add a new replacement.
- In the Replace field, type something memorable, such as ;deg.
- In the With field, enter °.
- Save the replacement.
After that, whenever you type your chosen abbreviation in supported apps, macOS can automatically replace it with the degree symbol.
This is an excellent method for professionals who write temperatures, measurements, or coordinates frequently. Meteorologists, engineers, teachers, students, researchers, and technical writers may find this option more efficient than repeatedly using a shortcut.
Choose a Unique Replacement
It is wise to choose a trigger phrase that you would not normally type in regular text. For instance, deg might appear in words or notes, while ;deg is less likely to trigger accidentally. A unique shortcut prevents unwanted replacements and keeps your writing workflow predictable.
4. Copy and Paste the Degree Symbol
The simplest method requires no settings and no memorization: copy and paste the symbol.
Here is the degree symbol to copy:
°
Select the symbol, press Command + C to copy it, then place your cursor where you need it and press Command + V to paste it. This approach is especially useful when you only need the symbol once and do not want to change any system settings.
Copy and paste also works well if you are using a shared computer, working temporarily on a different Mac, or troubleshooting keyboard shortcut issues. However, it is not the most efficient long-term method if you regularly type measurements or scientific notation.
For reliability, it can help to keep a small note with common symbols you use often. For example, a note might include:
- ° degree sign
- ± plus minus sign
- µ micro sign
- × multiplication sign
This gives you a quick reference without needing to search the web each time.
5. Use Unicode Hex Input
For users who work with symbols, coding, publishing, or technical documentation, Unicode Hex Input is another precise way to type the degree sign. The degree symbol has the Unicode value U+00B0. On a Mac, you can enter it using Unicode Hex Input after enabling that input source.
To enable Unicode Hex Input:
- Open System Settings.
- Go to Keyboard.
- Find Input Sources.
- Add a new input source.
- Search for and select Unicode Hex Input.
Once enabled, switch to Unicode Hex Input from the input menu in the menu bar. Then hold Option and type 00B0. The result should be °.
This method is not necessary for everyday users, but it is highly accurate. It is especially useful if you need to enter many Unicode characters and want a consistent way to produce exact symbols by code point.
Degree Symbol Versus Similar Characters
One common problem is confusing the degree sign with similar-looking characters. The correct symbol is °, Unicode U+00B0. It is small, raised, and circular.
Avoid substituting these characters unless you have a specific reason:
- o — lowercase letter o
- 0 — number zero
- º — masculine ordinal indicator
- ˚ — ring above accent mark
These may look similar in some fonts, but they are not the same character. In professional documents, scientific writing, and data entry, using the wrong symbol can create inconsistency or even affect interpretation.
Best Practices for Using the Degree Sign
Correct formatting depends on context. For temperatures, many style guides write the degree symbol next to the number and before the temperature scale abbreviation. For example, 20°C or 68°F. In general writing, some styles use a space between the number and the unit, such as 20 °C, especially in scientific contexts. The important point is to follow the style required by your organization, publisher, or academic field.
For angles, the symbol is usually placed directly after the number, as in 45° or 360°. For coordinates, it is also commonly placed after the numeric value, such as 51.5074° N.
Which Method Should You Use?
For most Mac users, the best method is Option + Shift + 8. It is fast, built into macOS, and works in nearly every writing environment. If you type the symbol every day, a Text Replacement can save even more time. If you only need it occasionally, Character Viewer or copy and paste may be perfectly adequate.
Here is a quick comparison:
- Fastest: Option + Shift + 8
- Best for frequent use: Text Replacement
- Best for visual selection: Character Viewer
- Best for one-time use: Copy and paste
- Best for technical precision: Unicode Hex Input
Final Thoughts
The Mac keyboard degree symbol shortcut is easy to learn and worth remembering. Pressing Option + Shift + 8 gives you the correct ° character immediately, making it the most practical method for everyday use. Still, macOS provides several dependable alternatives, including Character Viewer, Text Replacement, copy and paste, and Unicode Hex Input.
Whichever method you choose, using the proper degree sign improves clarity and professionalism. It ensures that temperatures, angles, and coordinates are written accurately, which matters in both casual communication and formal documentation.
Published on June 16, 2026 under .
