The fastest way: Option + Shift + 8

Hold down Option (also labeled Alt) and Shift, then press 8. This produces the degree symbol (°) on any Mac keyboard without switching layouts or opening special menus. It works in email, documents, web forms, and most applications.

This keyboard shortcut is the same across all Mac models — MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Studio. The symbol appears instantly where your cursor is positioned. Once you use it a few times, the combination becomes automatic.

Key Takeaways

  • Option + Shift + 8 produces the degree symbol on any Mac and works in all applications.
  • Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) lets you search for and insert the degree symbol if you forget the shortcut.
  • The degree symbol is different from the superscript zero or the letter O, and most fonts include it as a distinct character.
  • You can add the degree symbol to your Mac's text replacements so typing a short code (like "deg") expands to °.

Using Character Viewer when you forget the shortcut

If you do not remember Option + Shift + 8, open Character Viewer by pressing Control + Command + Space. A floating window appears showing recently used characters at the top.

Type "degree" in the search box at the top of the window. The degree symbol appears in the results. Double-click it to insert it at your cursor position. Character Viewer stays open, so you can insert multiple symbols without reopening it.

Character Viewer also shows you the keyboard shortcut for any symbol you select, so you can learn the faster method while using the slower one. This is useful if you want to memorize the shortcut for future use.

Setting up a text replacement for the degree symbol

If you type the degree symbol often, you can create a text replacement that expands a short code into the symbol. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions), then go to Keyboard.

Click the Text Replacements tab (or Text on older versions). Click the plus button to add a new replacement. In the left column, type a short code like "deg" or "°°". In the right column, paste or type the degree symbol (you can copy it from Character Viewer or type it using Option + Shift + 8).

Now whenever you type "deg" followed by a space or punctuation, your Mac automatically replaces it with °. This works across Mail, Notes, web browsers, and most other applications. The replacement does not trigger inside passwords or in applications that disable text replacements.

Why the degree symbol is not the same as zero or the letter O

The degree symbol (°) is a separate character from the number zero (0) or the letter O. They look similar but are encoded differently, which matters when you search for text or when a form expects a specific character.

If you copy a temperature reading like "98°F" and paste it into a search box, the search will not match "98OF" or "980F" because the degree symbol is not the same as those characters. Using the correct symbol ensures your text is readable and searchable across different systems and applications.

Degree symbol on external keyboards

The Option + Shift + 8 shortcut works on external keyboards connected to a Mac, including wireless keyboards, USB keyboards, and third-party mechanical keyboards. The Option key is usually labeled Alt on non-Apple keyboards, but it functions the same way.

If you use a keyboard from another manufacturer, the key layout may differ slightly, but the Mac interprets the Option key the same way regardless of the keyboard's origin. Test the shortcut on your external keyboard — it should work immediately without any setup or configuration.

Pasting the degree symbol from elsewhere

If you have the degree symbol in another document or website, you can copy it and paste it wherever you need it. Select the symbol, press Command + C to copy, then click where you want it and press Command + V to paste.

This method is slower than using the keyboard shortcut, but it works if you have the symbol already available. You can also save the symbol in a note or document and copy from there whenever you need it, creating your own reference for quick access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the degree symbol shortcut work on iPhone and iPad?

No. On iPhone and iPad, hold down the zero key (0) on the keyboard and a menu appears with the degree symbol as an option. Tap it to insert the symbol. The Mac shortcut does not work on iOS or iPadOS.

Can I use the degree symbol in file names?

Yes. macOS allows the degree symbol in file names for documents, folders, and applications. However, some older systems or cloud storage services may have trouble with special characters, so test before relying on it for important files.

What if Option + Shift + 8 types something else?

This usually means your keyboard layout is set to something other than U.S. English or a similar layout. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources and check which layout is active. Switch to U.S. or your country's standard layout, and the shortcut should work.

Is there a degree symbol for Celsius and Fahrenheit specifically?

No. The degree symbol (°) is the same for both Celsius and Fahrenheit. You type it the same way and then add the letter C or F after it: 72°F or 22°C. There is no separate symbol for each temperature scale.