Typing the degree symbol on a Mac is a small task, but it comes up often in professional, academic, and everyday writing. Whether you are recording a temperature, writing geographic coordinates, preparing a science report, editing a recipe, or documenting an engineering measurement, the correct symbol matters. The good news is that macOS provides a fast, built-in keyboard shortcut that lets you type the degree symbol without opening a special menu or copying it from another source.
TLDR: The fastest way to type the degree symbol on a Mac is to press Option + Shift + 8, which produces °. This shortcut works in most Mac apps, including Pages, Notes, Mail, Safari, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and many text fields. If the shortcut does not work in a particular app, you can use the macOS Character Viewer as a reliable backup. For regular use, learning the keyboard shortcut is the most efficient method.
The fastest Mac keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol
The standard Mac keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol is:
Option + Shift + 8
Hold down the Option key and the Shift key at the same time, then press 8. When entered correctly, the symbol ° appears immediately at the cursor position.
This is the shortcut most Mac users should rely on. It is fast, accurate, and available across a wide range of applications. Unlike copying and pasting the symbol from a web page, using the keyboard shortcut keeps your workflow clean and reduces the risk of accidentally copying unwanted formatting.
Where the shortcut works
The Option + Shift + 8 shortcut works in most places where you can type text on macOS. This includes both Apple applications and many third-party tools. You can typically use it in:
- Apple Notes for quick personal notes and reminders
- Pages for reports, letters, and formatted documents
- Mail for email messages
- Messages for casual communication
- Safari, Chrome, and Firefox in search bars and web forms
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- Google Docs and Google Sheets
- TextEdit, code editors, and many content management systems
Because the shortcut is handled by macOS, it usually behaves consistently. However, some specialized software may use custom keyboard mappings or intercept certain shortcuts. If that happens, the Character Viewer method described below is a dependable alternative.
How to type the degree symbol step by step
If you are new to Mac keyboard shortcuts, follow these steps carefully:
- Click where you want the degree symbol to appear.
- Press and hold the Option key.
- While still holding Option, press and hold Shift.
- Press the 8 key once.
- Release all keys.
The result should be °. For example, you can type 72°F, 180° angle, or 40.7128° N.
It is important to press the keys together in the correct combination. If you press only Option + 8, you may get a different character depending on your keyboard layout. If you press only Shift + 8, you will type an asterisk. The complete shortcut is Option + Shift + 8.
Degree symbol versus similar symbols
One reason this topic can be confusing is that the degree symbol looks similar to other small circular characters. In formal writing, it is worth using the correct symbol. The degree mark ° is not the same as the letter o, a superscript zero, or the masculine ordinal indicator º.
Here are the differences:
- Degree symbol: ° — used for temperature, angles, and geographic coordinates.
- Lowercase letter o: o — a normal alphabetic character, not appropriate as a substitute.
- Superscript zero: ⁰ — a mathematical superscript, not the standard degree mark.
- Masculine ordinal indicator: º — used in some languages for ordinal numbers, not for degrees.
For professional documents, scientific writing, and published content, use the actual degree symbol. It improves clarity and avoids typographic errors that may look careless to readers.
Using the degree symbol with temperature
The degree symbol is most commonly used with temperature. In English-language writing, the symbol is placed after the number and before the temperature scale letter. For example:
- 25°C
- 77°F
- 273.15 K
Notice that Celsius and Fahrenheit usually take the degree symbol, while Kelvin does not. In scientific usage, Kelvin is written simply as K, without °. Therefore, 300 K is correct, while 300°K is generally considered incorrect in modern scientific style.
Spacing can depend on the style guide. Many publications write temperature without a space between the number and the degree symbol, such as 20°C. Others may use a space between the number and unit in technical contexts, such as 20 °C. If you are writing for an organization, follow its style guide consistently.
Using the degree symbol with angles
The degree symbol is also used to measure angles. In this case, it appears immediately after the number:
- 90° for a right angle
- 180° for a straight angle
- 360° for a full rotation
When typing mathematical or technical material on a Mac, the shortcut is especially useful because it lets you enter angle measurements with minimal interruption. For example, a geometry teacher preparing a worksheet or an engineer documenting a rotation can type the symbol directly rather than searching through menus.
Using the degree symbol with coordinates
Latitude and longitude also use the degree symbol. A coordinate may look like this:
40.7128° N, 74.0060° W
In mapping, navigation, surveying, geography, and travel writing, the degree symbol helps identify the measurement as angular. Coordinates may also include minutes and seconds, such as:
40° 42′ 51″ N, 74° 0′ 21″ W
In that example, the degree symbol is used for degrees, the prime symbol ′ is used for minutes, and the double prime symbol ″ is used for seconds. These are distinct typographic marks, and using the correct ones matters in precise technical contexts.
Alternative method: use the Character Viewer
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, or if you prefer to choose symbols from a visual menu, macOS includes the Character Viewer. This tool lets you search for and insert special characters, including the degree symbol.
To use it:
- Click in the text field where you want the symbol.
- Press Control + Command + Space.
- In the search box, type degree.
- Select the ° symbol from the results.
- Double-click it, or click to insert it depending on the app.
The Character Viewer is slower than the keyboard shortcut, but it is useful when you need less common symbols. It also helps confirm that you are selecting the correct character, rather than a similar-looking mark.
What to do if the shortcut does not work
If Option + Shift + 8 does not produce the degree symbol, the issue is usually related to keyboard layout, app behavior, or system settings. Try the following checks:
- Check your keyboard layout: Go to System Settings, then Keyboard, and review your input sources. Different language layouts can change character shortcuts.
- Test in another app: Try the shortcut in Notes or TextEdit. If it works there, the original app may be overriding the shortcut.
- Use the top-row 8 key: On most keyboards, the shortcut is intended for the standard number key, not a numeric keypad.
- Restart the app: Some applications temporarily misread keyboard input after updates or glitches.
- Use Character Viewer: If you need the symbol immediately, press Control + Command + Space and search for it.
For most users, the shortcut works reliably once the correct key combination is used. If you use multiple keyboard languages, it is worth learning how each layout handles special characters.
Is there a difference on MacBook, iMac, and external keyboards?
The shortcut is the same on MacBook keyboards, Apple Magic Keyboards, iMac keyboards, and most Mac-compatible external keyboards:
Option + Shift + 8 = °
However, the key labels may vary. On some keyboards, the Option key may also be labeled Alt. These refer to the same key for this purpose. If you are using a Windows keyboard connected to a Mac, the Alt key often functions as the Mac Option key, although the exact behavior can depend on your keyboard settings.
Copy and paste: acceptable, but not ideal
You can always copy the degree symbol from an existing source and paste it where needed:
°
This works in a pinch, but it is not the best long-term method. Copying and pasting interrupts your workflow, may bring unwanted formatting, and depends on having the symbol available somewhere else. The keyboard shortcut is faster, cleaner, and more reliable once memorized.
Best practice for professional writing
In serious documents, consistency matters as much as correctness. Decide whether your document will use spacing such as 25°C or 25 °C, then apply that style throughout. Avoid replacing the degree symbol with a lowercase o, because it can appear unprofessional and may create ambiguity.
For scientific and technical writing, verify the conventions for your field. Temperature, angles, and coordinates each have their own standards. When in doubt, follow the style guide required by your institution, publisher, employer, or discipline.
Final answer: the shortcut to remember
The fastest way to type the degree symbol on a Mac is simple:
Option + Shift + 8
This produces ° instantly in most Mac applications. It is the most efficient method for typing temperatures, angles, coordinates, and other measurements that require the degree mark. If the shortcut is unavailable in a specific app, use the macOS Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for degree. For everyday use, however, memorizing Option + Shift + 8 is the fastest and most dependable solution.