The fastest way to type a degree symbol

On a Mac, hold Shift + Option, then press the 8 key on your main keyboard. The degree symbol (°) will appear when ready. This works in almost every program — email, documents, web forms, spreadsheets — without any setup or special software.

If that combination feels awkward on your keyboard layout, Mac offers two other methods that take a few extra seconds but may feel more natural depending on what you are typing and where.

Key Takeaways

  • The keyboard shortcut Shift + Option + 8 produces a degree symbol on any Mac without setup.
  • The Character Viewer lets you search for and insert the degree symbol by name if you forget the shortcut.
  • You can create a text replacement so typing a short code (like "deg") automatically becomes the degree symbol.
  • The degree symbol works in all common programs — email, word processors, spreadsheets, and web browsers.
  • If your keyboard layout is not US English, the shortcut may differ, and the Character Viewer becomes the most reliable method.

Using the Character Viewer when you forget the shortcut

Open any program where you want to type — Mail, Pages, Google Docs, or a web form. Click the menu bar at the top of your screen, then look for Edit. In the Edit menu, you should see an option called Emoji & Symbols (on newer Macs) or Special Characters (on older ones). Click it.

A window called the Character Viewer will open. In the search box at the top, type degree. The degree symbol will appear in the results. Double-click it, and it inserts into your document at the cursor. Close the window when you are done.

This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but works the same way everywhere and does not require you to remember the key combination. It is also the most reliable method if your Mac is set to a non-English keyboard layout, since the shortcut changes depending on your language and region settings.

Setting up a text replacement for repeated use

If you type the degree symbol often — for temperature readings, angles, or coordinates — you can set up a text replacement so a short code becomes the symbol automatically. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), then go to Keyboard.

Look for a tab or section called Text Replacements (the exact name varies by macOS version). Click the + button to add a new replacement. In the left box, type a short code like deg or :degree:. In the right box, paste or type the degree symbol (you can copy it from the Character Viewer or use Shift + Option + 8 to create it). Click Add.

Now whenever you type your code in any program, it will automatically replace with the degree symbol. For example, typing "98deg" becomes "98°" as soon as you press space or punctuation. This works in email, documents, browsers, and most other Mac programs.

Why the shortcut differs on non-US keyboards

The Shift + Option + 8 shortcut is specific to US English keyboard layouts. If your Mac is set to a different language or region — British English, French, German, or others — the same key combination may produce a different character or nothing at all.

The Character Viewer method works identically no matter what keyboard layout you use, because it searches by the symbol's name rather than relying on key positions. If you switch between keyboard layouts often, the Character Viewer or a text replacement is more reliable than memorizing different shortcuts for each layout.

Using the degree symbol in different programs

The degree symbol works the same way across all Mac programs. In Mail, type it directly in the message body. In Google Docs or Microsoft Word, use the same shortcut or Character Viewer. In Numbers or Excel, it appears in cells without any special formatting needed.

Web forms and text boxes in browsers also accept the degree symbol. If you are filling out a form on a website and need to enter a temperature or angle, the shortcut works exactly as it does in a desktop program. The symbol will be submitted with your form data just like any other character.

Some programs like Terminal or code editors may display the symbol differently depending on font settings, but the symbol itself is entered the same way. If it does not appear correctly, it is usually a display issue with that specific program, not a problem with how you typed it.

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 an external keyboard with an unusual layout, or the shortcut is not responding — you can copy the degree symbol from anywhere you have already typed it and paste it where you need it.

Open the Character Viewer, find the degree symbol, and double-click it to insert it into a blank area (like a text editor or the search box). Then select it, copy it with Command + C, and paste it wherever you need it with Command + V. This is slower than the shortcut but works in any program and any situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol work in all Mac programs?

Yes, the degree symbol works in email, word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and most other programs. Some specialized software like code editors may display it differently depending on font settings, but it will still be entered and stored correctly.

What if Shift + Option + 8 does not work on my Mac?

Your keyboard layout is probably not set to US English. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and check which layout is active. Use the Character Viewer method instead, which works on any layout. You can also create a text replacement with a code like "deg" to make it faster.

Can I type the degree symbol on an external keyboard?

Yes, the shortcut works the same way on external keyboards connected to your Mac. If it does not work, check that your Mac's keyboard layout setting matches your physical keyboard. The Character Viewer method always works regardless of keyboard type.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol without memorizing a shortcut?

Yes. Use the Character Viewer (Edit > Emoji & Symbols) to search for and insert it by name, or set up a text replacement so a short code like "deg" becomes the symbol automatically. Both methods are faster than the Character Viewer once set up.

Will the degree symbol copy and paste correctly into web forms?

Yes, the degree symbol copies and pastes into web forms, email, and any text field just like any other character. It will be submitted with your form data without any issues.