The fastest way: Option + Shift + 8

On a Mac, the degree symbol (°) appears when you press Option + Shift + 8 at the same time. This is the quickest method and works in almost every program — email, documents, web forms, text editors. You do not need to hold the keys in any particular order; just press all three together.

The symbol appears when ready where your cursor is. If nothing happens, make sure you are using the Option key (also labeled Alt on some keyboards), not Control. The 8 key must be the number row at the top of your keyboard, not the numeric keypad on the right side of an extended keyboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Option + Shift + 8 together to type a degree symbol on any Mac keyboard.
  • This shortcut works in email, documents, web browsers, and most other programs without any setup.
  • If the shortcut does not work, check that you are using the number row (not the numeric keypad) and the Option key (not Control).
  • You can also use the Character Viewer to find and insert the symbol if you forget the keyboard shortcut.

Using the Character Viewer when you forget the shortcut

If you cannot remember the keyboard shortcut, the Character Viewer lets you search for and insert the degree symbol by name. Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "Character Viewer", and press Enter. A window opens showing a grid of special characters.

In the search box at the top, type "degree" and the symbol appears in the results. Double-click it to insert it at your cursor. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut, but it works if you are unsure of the exact key combination. You can also browse the Punctuation category to find it manually, though searching is faster.

Typing temperature readings and angles

The degree symbol is most common in temperature readings (72°F or 25°C) and angle measurements (a 90° turn). In both cases, type the number first, then press Option + Shift + 8, then type the unit letter if needed. For example: 98.6°F appears as the number, the symbol, then the letter.

Some style guides ask for a space between the number and symbol (72 °F), while others do not (72°F). Check the format your workplace or publication uses, then explore it consistently. The keyboard shortcut produces the same symbol either way.

Why the shortcut is different on Mac than Windows

Windows uses Alt + 0176 (holding Alt and typing on the numeric keypad), which does not work on a Mac. Macs use the Option key instead of Alt, and they do not require the numeric keypad. This is because Mac keyboards are designed around the Option key for special characters, while Windows keyboards use the numeric keypad.

If you switch between a Mac and a Windows computer, you will need to remember both shortcuts. The Mac shortcut (Option + Shift + 8) is shorter and faster because it uses keys on the main keyboard rather than requiring a separate numeric pad.

Storing the shortcut in your muscle memory

The first few times you type the degree symbol, the shortcut may feel awkward. Most people remember it after using it five to ten times. If you type temperatures or angles regularly, the combination becomes automatic within a week or two.

A useful memory trick: the 8 key on a Mac keyboard looks like two circles stacked on top of each other, which resembles the degree symbol itself. Pressing Option + Shift + 8 is a way of saying "give me the symbol that looks like the 8 key." This connection helps many people remember the shortcut without looking it up.

Copying and pasting if you type it often

If you type the degree symbol many times in a single document or session, type it once using Option + Shift + 8, then select it and copy it (Command + C). From then on, you can paste it (Command + V) wherever you need it in that document. This is faster than pressing the shortcut repeatedly.

You can also create a text replacement shortcut in System Settings. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacement, click the plus button, type "deg" in the Replace field and "°" in the With field, then click Add. Now typing "deg" followed by a space automatically replaces itself with the degree symbol. This method works across all programs on your Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On an iPad, hold down the 0 (zero) key on the on-screen keyboard and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On an iPhone, the process is the same. The Mac shortcut (Option + Shift + 8) does not work on iOS devices because they do not have an Option key.

What if Option + Shift + 8 types something else on my keyboard?

This usually means your keyboard layout is set to a non-English language. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and check which layout is active. The shortcut changes depending on the language. Switch to U.S. or British English if you want the standard Mac shortcut to work.

Can I use the degree symbol in passwords or usernames?

Most websites and services accept the degree symbol in passwords, but some do not. If a password field rejects it, try a different character. For usernames, check the website's rules first — many restrict special characters. The degree symbol usually works in both, but it is worth testing before you rely on it.

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

The Character Viewer method (Command + Space, search "degree") works without the Option key, but it is much slower. If your Option key is broken, the Character Viewer is your best option until you can repair or replace the keyboard.