The fastest way: hold Option and press Shift+8

On a Mac, the degree symbol (°) appears when you hold the Option key and press Shift+8 at the same time. Release all three keys and the symbol appears. This works in any program — email, documents, web forms, spreadsheets — without any special setup.

If you use the degree symbol regularly, this three-key combination becomes automatic after a few tries. It is faster than hunting through menus or copying and pasting from elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold Option and press Shift+8 together to type a degree symbol on any Mac.
  • The Option key is the same as the Alt key on your keyboard, usually marked with a cloverleaf symbol.
  • This shortcut works in every Mac program without installing anything or changing your keyboard settings.
  • If you type degree symbols constantly, you can create a text replacement so a short phrase expands to the symbol automatically.

Where the Option key is on your keyboard

The Option key sits on the bottom row of your keyboard, between the Control key and the Command key. It is usually marked with the word "option" and a cloverleaf symbol (⌥). On some older keyboards it may say "Alt" instead.

Once you find it, the combination is straightforward: press and hold Option, then press Shift+8 while still holding Option, then release everything. The degree symbol appears where your cursor was.

Using Character Viewer if you forget the shortcut

If you cannot remember Option+Shift+8, you can find the degree symbol through Character Viewer, a built-in Mac tool. Press Control+Command+Space (all three at once) and a floating window opens showing special characters.

Type "degree" in the search box at the top of the Character Viewer window. The degree symbol appears in the results. Double-click it and it inserts into whatever program you were using. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut, but it works when you need it and do not remember the keys.

Setting up a text replacement for frequent use

If you type temperature readings, coordinates, or angle measurements regularly, you can set up a text replacement so that a short phrase automatically becomes the degree symbol. For example, you could make "deg" expand to "°" every time you type it.

Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), then Keyboard, then Text Replacement. Click the plus button and type the short phrase you want to use in the left column — "deg" works well. In the right column, paste the degree symbol (you can copy it from Character Viewer or type it using Option+Shift+8). From then on, whenever you type "deg" followed by a space or punctuation, it automatically becomes °.

Why the shortcut is different on Mac versus Windows

Windows uses Alt+0176 (holding Alt and typing numbers on the numeric keypad), while Mac uses Option+Shift+8. The difference exists because Mac and Windows keyboards have different layouts and different systems for accessing special characters. Neither is easier or harder once you know it — they are just different.

If you switch between a Mac and a Windows computer regularly, write both shortcuts down or keep them in a note on your phone. After a few weeks of use, your fingers will remember whichever one you use most often.

Copying and pasting the symbol as a backup

If you are in a situation where the keyboard shortcut is not working — perhaps you are using a non-standard keyboard or a remote connection — you can copy the degree symbol from anywhere you have already typed it and paste it where you need it. straightforward find a degree symbol you have already created, select it, press Command+C to copy, then press Command+V to paste it into the new location.

You can also copy the symbol from this article itself: °. Highlight it, copy it, and paste it into a note or document on your Mac. Then whenever you need it, you can copy from that note instead of typing the shortcut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol shortcut work on an iPad or iPhone?

No. On iPad and iPhone, you access the degree symbol by holding your finger on the "o" key in the keyboard until a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. Tap it to insert it. The Mac shortcut does not work on Apple's mobile devices.

What if Option+Shift+8 is not working on my Mac?

First, make sure you are holding all three keys at the same time — Option, Shift, and 8 — not pressing them in sequence. If it still does not work, try restarting your Mac. If you are using an external keyboard, check that it is properly connected. Character Viewer (Control+Command+Space) will always work as a backup.

Can I use this shortcut on a Mac with a Windows keyboard attached?

Yes. The Option key on a Mac keyboard corresponds to the Alt key on a Windows keyboard. If you have a Windows keyboard plugged into your Mac, hold Alt and press Shift+8 the same way you would on a Mac keyboard.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol without using the Option key?

Character Viewer is the main alternative, though it is slower. You can also set up a text replacement so a straightforward phrase like "deg" becomes the symbol automatically. If neither of those works for your situation, copying and pasting from a saved note is always an option.