The fastest way to type a degree symbol on Mac

On Mac, hold Shift + Option and press 8. This produces the degree symbol (°) in any process — email, documents, web forms, notes. No special software needed, no menu hunting.

This keyboard shortcut works the same way whether you use an Apple keyboard, a third-party mechanical keyboard, or a wireless keyboard connected to your Mac. The shortcut is built into macOS itself, not into any particular keyboard.

If you type degree symbols often — for temperature readings, angles, coordinates, or scientific notation — this shortcut becomes muscle memory quickly. Most people find it faster than any menu option after the first few uses.

Key Takeaways

  • The degree symbol shortcut on Mac is Shift + Option + 8, and it works in any process without special setup.
  • If you cannot remember the shortcut, you can insert the degree symbol through the Edit menu under Special Characters, though this takes longer.
  • The same shortcut works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, and on both wired and wireless keyboards.
  • If the shortcut produces a different character, check that you are pressing Option (not Alt) and that your keyboard layout is set to U.S. English or a similar layout.

Using the Character Viewer when you forget the shortcut

If you do not remember Shift + Option + 8, you can find the degree symbol through your Mac's built-in character menu. Open any process where you want to type — Mail, Word, Notes, a web form — and place your cursor where the symbol should go.

Click the Edit menu at the top of the screen, then select Emoji & Symbols (or Special Characters on older macOS versions). A panel opens showing hundreds of characters. In the search box at the top, type "degree" and the degree symbol appears when ready. Double-click it to insert it into your document.

This method works but takes five to ten seconds per symbol. It is useful as a backup when you are unsure of the shortcut, but the keyboard shortcut is faster once you know it.

What to do if the shortcut does not work

The most common reason the shortcut fails is pressing Alt instead of Option. On Mac keyboards, the Option key is the one with the word "option" printed on it, usually to the left of the spacebar. Some third-party keyboards label it "Alt" instead, but it is still the Option key — the shortcut remains Shift + Option + 8.

If you are using a non-U.S. English keyboard layout, the shortcut may produce a different character. Check your keyboard layout by clicking the language icon in the menu bar (top right of your screen). If it shows anything other than "U.S." or "English", switch to U.S. English, try the shortcut again, and then switch back if needed.

On very old Macs running macOS versions before 10.12, the shortcut may be different — try Option + Shift + 8 or Option + 0. If neither works, use the Character Viewer method instead.

Typing degree symbols in specific applications

The Shift + Option + 8 shortcut works in almost every Mac process: Mail, Messages, Word, Google Docs, web browsers, text editors, and spreadsheets. You do not need to do anything different depending on what program you are using.

In Microsoft Word, you can also use the Insert menu: click Insert, then Symbol, then find the degree symbol in the list. This is slower than the keyboard shortcut but useful if you need to insert many special characters at once.

In Google Docs on a Mac, the keyboard shortcut works the same way. If it does not, try using the Insert menu: click Insert, then Special characters, search for "degree", and double-click the result.

Creating a text replacement for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol many times per day, you can set up a text replacement so that typing a short code automatically produces the symbol. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), then go to Keyboard. Click the Text tab.

Click the + button to add a new replacement. In the "Replace" field, type a short code like "deg" or "°°". In the "With" field, paste the degree symbol (you can copy it from anywhere you have already typed it, or use the Character Viewer). Click Add.

Now whenever you type "deg" followed by a space or punctuation, your Mac automatically replaces it with °. This works in Mail, Messages, Notes, Word, and most other applications. It does not work in some web forms or password fields for security reasons.

Copying and pasting the degree symbol

The simplest method if you only need the symbol once: find a degree symbol anywhere online or in a document, select it, and copy it with Command + C. Then paste it where you need it with Command + V. This takes seconds and requires no memorization.

You can also keep the degree symbol in a note or document that you reference often, so you can copy it whenever you need it. Some people keep a small text file with commonly used symbols for this reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol shortcut work on an external keyboard connected to my Mac?

Yes. The shortcut Shift + Option + 8 works on any keyboard — Apple keyboards, mechanical keyboards, wireless keyboards, or keyboards from other manufacturers. The shortcut is part of macOS, not the keyboard itself.

Can I use the degree symbol in passwords or usernames?

Most password fields and login screens do not allow special characters like the degree symbol for security reasons. Some do. If you need to use it in a password, the website or process will tell you whether special characters are allowed when you create the password.

What is the difference between the degree symbol and the ring above character?

The degree symbol (°) and the ring above (˚) look similar but are different characters. The shortcut Shift + Option + 8 produces the degree symbol, which is the correct character for temperature and angles. The ring above is a separate character used in some languages.

Will the shortcut work if I switch to a different keyboard layout?

The shortcut may produce a different character if you switch to a non-English layout. If you use multiple keyboard layouts, switch back to U.S. English before typing the degree symbol, or use the Character Viewer method instead.

Can I add the degree symbol to my Mac's dictionary so it autocorrects?

Yes, through the Text Replacements feature in System Preferences. Set up a short code like "deg" to automatically replace with °, and it will work in most applications. This is faster than the keyboard shortcut if you type the symbol frequently.