How to Type the Degree Symbol (°) on Mac

Typing the degree symbol (°) on a Mac is essential for writing temperature measurements, coordinates, or angles. Although it’s not visible on your keyboard, macOS offers multiple ways to insert this symbol quickly and effortlessly. This article provides a detailed, easy-to-understand explanation of all the methods to type the degree symbol on a Mac.

1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts

The Fastest Way: Shift + Option + 8

The quickest method is by using the built-in keyboard shortcut:

• Shortcut: Shift + Option + 8
• Result: °
• Example: Typing “25°C” or “90° angle” becomes effortless.

Other Similar Symbols

Mac keyboards also have shortcuts for symbols that look like the degree symbol but serve different purposes:

• Option + K (˚): This creates a small diacritic symbol, not meant for degrees but looks similar.
• Option + 0 (º): This is the Masculine Ordinal Indicator, often used in written languages.

Tip: Always use Shift + Option + 8 for the degree symbol to avoid confusion.

2. Using the Character Viewer

The Character Viewer on macOS provides an alternative way to insert the degree symbol, especially if you prefer using the graphical interface.

How to Open Character Viewer

You can open the Character Viewer using any of the following methods:

1. Menu Bar Method:
   • Go to the top menu in any app and select Edit > Emoji & Symbols.
2. Keyboard Shortcut:
   • Press Control + Command + Space.
3. Input Menu Method:
   • Click on Show Emoji & Symbols from the Input Menu in the top-right corner of the menu bar.
   • If the Input Menu isn’t visible, enable it by following the steps in the next section.
4. Fn or Globe Key:
   • On newer Mac keyboards, pressing the Fn or Globe key also opens the Character Viewer.

Inserting the Degree Symbol

1. Search and Insert:
   • In the Character Viewer, type “degree” in the search bar.
   • Select the degree symbol from the results, including options for Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F).
   • Click to insert the symbol into your document or text field.
2. Expanded Character Viewer:
   • If you have the expanded version, double-click the degree symbol from the Symbols menu to insert it.

3. Enabling the Input Menu on macOS

If you don’t see the Input Menu in your Mac’s menu bar, follow these steps to enable it:

1. Open System Settings:
   • Go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
2. Select Keyboard Settings:
   • Click on Keyboard from the settings menu.
3. Edit Input Sources:
   • Click on the Edit... button.
4. Enable Input Menu:
   • Toggle the Show Input menu in menu bar switch to the ON position.
   • Click Done.
5. Restart (if necessary):
   • You may need to log out and log back in to see the Input Menu in the menu bar.

Result: The Input Menu icon will now appear on the top-right of your screen, allowing easy access to Emoji & Symbols.

4. Using the Fn/Globe Key for Quick Access

You can set the Fn or Globe key on your Mac keyboard to open the Emoji and Symbols viewer instantly:

1. Go to System Settings:
   • Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
2. Navigate to Keyboard:
   • Select Keyboard in the settings.
3. Customize Fn/Globe Key:
   • Under Press [Globe] key to, choose Show Emoji & Symbols.
4. Access the Character Viewer:
   • Press the Fn or Globe key to open the Character Viewer.

Note: This works on newer MacBooks and Apple keyboards with the Globe key.

5. Using Text Replacement for Quick Input

If you frequently need the degree symbol, setting up Text Replacement makes it faster to type:

1. Open System Settings:
   • Go to System Settings and select Keyboard.
2. Choose Text Replacement:
   • In the Keyboard settings, select Text from the top navigation.
3. Create a Custom Shortcut:
   • Click the + icon to add a new text replacement.
   • In the Replace column, enter a shortcut, e.g., :deg.
   • In the With column, type the degree symbol using Shift + Option + 8.
4. Save and Use:
   • Now, whenever you type :deg and press space, macOS will automatically replace it with the degree symbol (°).

Tip: You can customize the shortcut to anything you find easy to remember, such as *deg or ^deg.

Choosing the Best Method

Here are the most efficient ways to type the degree symbol on Mac:

• Keyboard Shortcut (Shift + Option + 8): Fastest method for regular use.
• Character Viewer: Useful for occasional use or when exploring other symbols.
• Text Replacement: Best for users who frequently type the degree symbol.
• Fn/Globe Key Shortcut: Convenient for users with newer Mac keyboards.

Why Use These Methods?

• Convenience and Speed: Save time by avoiding Google searches or copy-pasting symbols.
• Consistency: Using the correct degree symbol ensures accuracy in scientific, mathematical, and everyday writing.
• Professionalism: Proper use of symbols enhances document quality, making it look polished and professional.

Conclusion

Typing the degree symbol (°) on macOS is easier than it seems once you know the right shortcuts and methods. Whether you’re writing about temperatures, angles, or coordinates, these methods offer flexibility and convenience.