The fastest way: hold Shift and Option, then press 8

On a Mac keyboard, the degree symbol (°) appears when you press Shift + Option + 8 at the same time. This is the quickest method and works in almost every program — email, documents, web forms, spreadsheets, anywhere you can type text.

The symbol appears when ready where your cursor is. You do not need to do anything after pressing the keys; the degree symbol is complete and ready for the next character. This shortcut works the same way on every Mac, whether you use a built-in keyboard, an external keyboard, or a wireless one.

If you type temperatures, measurements, or angles regularly, this three-key combination becomes automatic after a few uses. Many people find it faster than hunting through menus once they have the muscle memory.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Shift + Option + 8 together to type the degree symbol when ready in any Mac program.
  • The Character Viewer menu offers an alternative if you forget the keyboard shortcut, though it takes longer.
  • You can create a text replacement shortcut so that typing a short code (like "deg") automatically becomes the degree symbol.
  • The degree symbol works in email, documents, web forms, and spreadsheets without any special setup.

Using the Character Viewer when you forget the shortcut

If the keyboard shortcut does not come to mind, you can find the degree symbol through the Character Viewer menu. Open any program where you can type, then press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer window.

A panel appears showing a search box at the top. Type "degree" in the search box, and the degree symbol appears in the results. Click on it once to select it, then click the "Insert" button at the bottom right of the panel. The symbol appears in your document where your cursor was.

This method works but takes longer than the keyboard shortcut. It is most useful if you type the degree symbol rarely and cannot remember the key combination. Once you use the shortcut a few times, you will likely stop needing the Character Viewer.

Creating a text replacement so "deg" becomes °

If you type the degree symbol often, you can set up a text replacement that converts a short code into the symbol automatically. Open System Settings and click "Keyboard" in the sidebar. Then click "Text Replacement" (or "Keyboard Shortcuts" depending on your macOS version).

Click the plus button to add a new replacement. In the left box, type a short code like "deg" or "degree". In the right box, paste the degree symbol (you can copy it from anywhere you have typed it, or use the Character Viewer to insert it). Click "Add" to save the replacement.

Now whenever you type "deg" followed by a space or punctuation, your Mac automatically replaces it with the degree symbol. This works in email, documents, and most web forms. The replacement does not work in password fields or some specialized programs, but it covers the vast majority of typing situations.

Why the shortcut is different on Mac than on Windows

Windows uses Alt + 0176 (holding Alt and typing numbers on the numeric keypad) to produce the degree symbol. Mac uses Shift + Option + 8 instead because Mac keyboards do not have a separate numeric keypad on most models, and the key layout is different.

If you switch between a Mac and a Windows computer, the two shortcuts are straightforward to mix up. Writing down the Mac shortcut on a sticky note near your keyboard can help until it becomes automatic. The Character Viewer method works the same way on both systems, so that is a reliable backup if you cannot remember which shortcut belongs to which computer.

Using the degree symbol in different programs

The Shift + Option + 8 shortcut works in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, Numbers spreadsheets, email programs, and web browsers. It also works when typing in text fields on websites, though some older web forms may not display it correctly (this is rare).

In some specialized programs like CAD software or scientific tools, the degree symbol may behave differently or may require a different method. If the standard shortcut does not work in a program you use, check that program's help menu or documentation for its own symbol input method. For everyday writing and spreadsheets, the standard shortcut handles everything.

Copying and pasting the symbol if you need it once

If you only need the degree symbol once and cannot remember the shortcut, the simplest approach is to copy it from somewhere else. Search "degree symbol" in your web browser, find one in the results, and copy it. Then paste it into your document where you need it.

This method is slower than learning the shortcut, but it requires no memory and works in any program that accepts pasted text. It is a reasonable choice if you type the degree symbol once a year rather than regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol shortcut work on iPad or iPhone?

No. iPad and iPhone do not support the Shift + Option + 8 shortcut because they use a different keyboard system. On iPad, you can hold down the "o" key to see a menu of accented letters and symbols, which includes the degree symbol. On iPhone, the process is similar but the symbol may not appear in the quick menu, so you may need to use the Character Viewer equivalent or copy and paste instead.

What if Shift + Option + 8 types something else?

This usually means your keyboard layout is set to something other than U.S. English. Go to System Settings, click "Keyboard," then "Input Sources," and make sure "U.S." or "U.S. English" is selected. If you use a different language layout, the shortcut will be different — check your layout's documentation for the degree symbol shortcut.

Can I type the degree symbol on an external keyboard connected to my Mac?

Yes. The Shift + Option + 8 shortcut works on any keyboard connected to a Mac, whether it is wired, wireless, or Bluetooth. The shortcut is built into macOS, not the keyboard itself, so it works the same way regardless of which keyboard you use.

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

Not with the built-in Mac shortcut. The text replacement method is the closest alternative — you can set up "deg" to become ° without pressing any modifier keys, just by typing a short code. This is the easiest option if you type the symbol frequently and want to avoid remembering the Option key combination.