The fastest way: Option + Shift + 8

On a MacBook, hold Option (also labeled Alt), then Shift, then press 8. Release all three keys at once. A degree symbol (°) appears. This works in any app — email, documents, web forms, spreadsheets.

The symbol appears when ready. You do not need to do anything after typing it. If you are typing a temperature like "72°F" or a coordinate like "40°N", just type the number, use the keyboard shortcut, then type the letter.

This shortcut works on every MacBook keyboard layout — US, UK, international — because it uses the Option key, which is how Mac handles special characters across all languages.

Key Takeaways

  • Option + Shift + 8 produces the degree symbol on any MacBook and works in every app without extra steps.
  • If you type the degree symbol often, you can add it to your Mac's text replacement shortcuts so a short phrase expands to the symbol automatically.
  • The Character Viewer app (accessed through Edit menu or Spotlight) lets you search for and insert the degree symbol if you forget the shortcut.
  • On an external keyboard connected to a Mac, the same shortcut works because the Option key functions identically.

Setting up text replacement for frequent use

If you type the degree symbol regularly — for scientific work, weather reports, or coordinate data — you can set up your Mac to expand a short phrase into the symbol automatically. Open System Settings, go to Keyboard, then Text Replacement. Click the plus button to add a new replacement.

In the "Replace" field, type something short and unlikely to appear in normal text, like :deg or degr. In the "With" field, paste the degree symbol itself (you can type it once using Option + Shift + 8, then copy it). Now whenever you type :deg followed by a space or punctuation, your Mac replaces it with °.

This method saves time if you use the symbol multiple times per document. The replacement works across all apps — Mail, Google Docs, Word, Notes, web forms.

Using the Character Viewer when you forget the shortcut

If you cannot remember the keyboard shortcut in the moment, the Character Viewer app lets you search for and insert the symbol. Press Control + Command + Space to open it (or go to Edit menu in most apps and look for "Emoji & Symbols"). Type "degree" in the search box at the top.

The degree symbol appears in the results. Double-click it to insert it into your document at the cursor position. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut, but it works when you are unsure of the exact key combination.

The Character Viewer also shows you the Unicode name and code point for any character, which is useful if you are working with technical documentation or need to reference the symbol in code.

Why the shortcut differs from Windows

On Windows, the degree symbol uses Alt + 0176 (holding Alt and typing numbers on the numeric keypad). MacBooks do not have a numeric keypad on the main keyboard, and Mac uses the Option key instead of Alt for special characters. That is why the Mac shortcut is Option + Shift + 8 rather than a number code.

If you switch between a Mac and a Windows machine, the Mac shortcut is worth memorizing because it is faster than hunting through menus. The Windows method requires a numeric keypad, which many modern laptops no longer have.

Copying and pasting the symbol from elsewhere

If you have a document or website that already contains a degree symbol, you can copy it and paste it into your work. Highlight the symbol, press Command + C to copy, then click where you want it and press Command + V to paste. This works but is slower than using the keyboard shortcut, especially if you need the symbol multiple times.

This method is useful only if you are already looking at a source that has the symbol and you have not yet memorized the shortcut. Once you use Option + Shift + 8 a few times, it becomes automatic.

Degree symbol in different contexts

The degree symbol works the same way whether you are typing in a plain text file, a formatted document, an email, or a web form. Some apps may display it slightly differently depending on the font — in some fonts it appears as a small raised circle, in others it is slightly larger — but the symbol itself is identical.

If you are writing scientific or technical content, the degree symbol is the correct character to use for temperature (°C, °F), angles (45°), or geographic coordinates. Using the letter "o" or the number "0" as a substitute is technically incorrect and can cause problems if the document is processed by software that parses measurements or coordinates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol shortcut work on an external keyboard plugged into a Mac?

Yes. The Option key on an external keyboard functions identically to the Option key on the MacBook keyboard. The shortcut Option + Shift + 8 works on any keyboard connected to a Mac, whether it is a Mac keyboard, a third-party mechanical keyboard, or a keyboard from another brand.

What if I have a non-US keyboard layout?

The Option + Shift + 8 shortcut works on all MacBook keyboard layouts because it uses the Option key, which Mac uses consistently across languages. If you have switched your Mac to a different language or layout in System Settings, the shortcut remains the same.

Can I use the degree symbol in a spreadsheet formula?

Yes. You can type the degree symbol in a cell or in a formula in Excel, Google Sheets, or Numbers. It is treated as a regular character, so it will not break the formula. If you are using the symbol in a calculation, make sure your formula accounts for it as text rather than a number.

Is there a way to type the degree symbol on an iPad or iPhone?

On iPad and iPhone, hold down the "0" key on the keyboard and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. Tap it to insert it. This is different from the Mac shortcut because iOS keyboards work differently, but the result is the same.