The fastest way: hold Option and press Shift-8

On a Mac keyboard, the degree symbol (°) appears when you hold the Option key and press Shift and 8 at the same time. This is the quickest method and works in almost any program — email, documents, web forms, spreadsheets, notes.

The symbol appears when ready where your cursor is. You do not need to do anything after; it is a complete character, not a code that needs to be finished. If you type this combination often, your muscle memory will build quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • Option + Shift + 8 produces the degree symbol on any Mac and works in every program.
  • If that combination does not work, your keyboard layout may be set to a non-US language; check System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources.
  • Character Viewer (accessed through Edit menu or Spotlight search) lets you find and insert the symbol by name if you forget the shortcut.
  • Some programs like Microsoft Word have their own symbol menus under Insert, which can be slower but do not require memorizing a keyboard combination.

When Option-Shift-8 does not work

If you press Option + Shift + 8 and nothing happens, or a different character appears, your keyboard input source is probably not set to U.S. English. Mac keyboards vary by region, and the degree symbol shortcut changes depending on your language layout.

Check your input source by opening System Settings, clicking Keyboard, then Input Sources. Look for "U.S." or "ABC" in the list. If it is not there, click the plus button, search for "U.S.", and add it. Then select it from the menu bar at the top right of your screen before typing the degree symbol.

If you use multiple languages regularly, you can keep both input sources active and switch between them from the menu bar. This way you can type the degree symbol in U.S. mode and switch back to your preferred language for other work.

Using Character Viewer if you forget the shortcut

If you cannot remember Option + Shift + 8, you can open Character Viewer and search for the symbol by name. Press Control + Command + Space (or Fn + Control + Command + Space on newer Macs), then type "degree" in the search box. The degree symbol appears in the results.

Click the symbol to insert it at your cursor. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut, but it works when you are unsure of the combination. You can also access Character Viewer through the Edit menu in most programs — look for "Emoji & Symbols" or "Special Characters".

Inserting the degree symbol in Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word, you can use the Insert menu instead of the keyboard shortcut. Click Insert at the top, then Symbol, then More Symbols. Search for "degree" or scroll to find it, then click Insert. This method is reliable but takes more steps than the keyboard shortcut.

Word also remembers recently used symbols, so after you insert the degree symbol once, it may appear in the main Symbol menu the next time you open it. If you type the degree symbol regularly in Word, the keyboard shortcut Option + Shift + 8 is still faster.

The difference between degree symbol and superscript zero

The degree symbol (°) is not the same as a superscript zero (⁰). They look similar but are different characters. The degree symbol is what you need for temperature (72°F), angles (90°), or geographic coordinates. A superscript zero is smaller and raised, used in math or chemistry notation.

If you type a superscript zero by mistake, you can tell because it will be noticeably smaller and higher than regular text. Use Option + Shift + 8 to get the true degree symbol, which sits at the same height as regular characters and is the standard for temperature and angles.

Copying and pasting the symbol

If you type the degree symbol often in the same document, you can type it once, then copy and paste it each time you need it. Select the symbol with your cursor, press Command + C to copy, then Command + V to paste it wherever you need it. This avoids repeating the keyboard shortcut.

This method works well if you are filling out a form or writing a document where the symbol appears many times. For everyday typing, the keyboard shortcut is still faster because you do not have to switch between typing and selecting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol shortcut work on an external keyboard?

Yes, as long as the external keyboard is connected to your Mac and your input source is set to U.S. English. The Option and Shift keys work the same way on external keyboards as they do on the built-in MacBook keyboard.

Can I create a custom shortcut for the degree symbol?

Yes. Open System Settings, go to Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts, click the plus button, select "All Applications", type the degree symbol in the Menu Title field, assign your own shortcut, then click Add. Your custom shortcut will work in any program.

Why does my degree symbol look different in different programs?

Different fonts render the degree symbol slightly differently. The character itself is the same, but the size, position, and style depend on the font you are using. This is normal and does not mean you typed it wrong.

Can I type the degree symbol on an iPad or iPhone?

On iPad, hold the 0 (zero) key and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. On iPhone, the degree symbol does not have a dedicated shortcut, but you can access it through the emoji keyboard or by copying and pasting from another source.