How to Get the Degree Symbol on Mac: Every Method Explained

Whether you're typing a temperature reading, noting an angle in a design file, or formatting a scientific document, the degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't live on any visible key. On a Mac, there are several reliable ways to insert it — and which method works best for you depends on how often you need it, what app you're working in, and how you prefer to interact with your keyboard.

The Fastest Method: Keyboard Shortcut

The quickest way to type the degree symbol on a Mac is with a keyboard shortcut:

Option (⌥) + Shift + 8

Press all three keys at the same time, and ° appears instantly. This works across most native macOS apps — including Pages, TextEdit, Mail, Notes, and many third-party apps. It requires no setup and no extra tools.

This is the method most Mac users settle on once they know it exists, because it's consistent and fast.

Using the Character Viewer

If you don't want to memorize shortcuts, macOS includes a built-in Character Viewer that gives you access to thousands of special characters, including the degree symbol.

To open it:

1. Click the Edit menu in any app
2. Select Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space)
3. In the search bar, type degree
4. Double-click the ° symbol to insert it at your cursor

You can also star or favorite the degree symbol in the Character Viewer so it appears in your Favorites row for quicker access in the future. This is especially useful if you regularly insert multiple special characters.

Text Replacement: Set It and Forget It ⚙️

If you type temperatures or angles frequently, macOS's built-in text replacement feature can automate the process entirely.

To set this up:

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)
2. Go to Keyboard → Text Replacements
3. Click the + button
4. In the Replace column, type a shorthand like deg or (deg)
5. In the With column, paste the ° symbol

After saving, typing your shorthand followed by a space will automatically substitute the degree symbol. This works in most apps that support macOS text substitution, though some apps — particularly code editors and certain productivity tools — may disable this feature by default.

Typing It in Specific Contexts

In Microsoft Word or Google Docs

Both apps have their own symbol insertion tools that work independently of macOS shortcuts.

• Microsoft Word: Go to Insert → Advanced Symbol, then search for the degree symbol in the special characters list
• Google Docs: Go to Insert → Special Characters, search for degree, and click to insert

The Option + Shift + 8 shortcut still works in both of these apps, so you don't need to use the menus unless you prefer it.

In a Web Browser

The shortcut works in browser-based text fields, including Gmail, web-based forms, and content management systems. If it doesn't trigger in a specific field, the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) is a reliable fallback.

In Code Editors

Most code editors disable macOS text substitution to avoid conflicts with syntax. In these environments, typing the Unicode character directly is often cleaner. The degree symbol is Unicode U+00B0. Some editors support Unicode input via escape sequences, or you can simply copy and paste the character into your code.

Comparing Your Options

What Affects Which Method Works for You 🖥️

A few variables determine which approach fits your workflow:

• Frequency of use — If you type ° dozens of times a day, a keyboard shortcut or text replacement saves meaningful time. If it's occasional, the Character Viewer is perfectly sufficient.
• App environment — Native macOS apps respond reliably to the keyboard shortcut. Some cross-platform or Electron-based apps behave differently.
• macOS version — The shortcut and Character Viewer have been stable across many macOS versions, but the location of settings like text replacement has shifted between System Preferences and System Settings in more recent releases.
• Keyboard language/layout — Non-English keyboard layouts can change which key combinations are available. If Option + Shift + 8 produces a different character on your layout, the Character Viewer becomes the most reliable fallback.
• Accessibility settings — Users who rely on dictation, switch access, or other input methods may find that app-based symbol insertion or text replacement is more practical than multi-key shortcuts.

The Degree Symbol vs. Similar Characters

It's worth knowing that ° (U+00B0) is distinct from two visually similar characters: the masculine ordinal indicator (º, U+00BA) and the superscript zero (⁰, U+2070). In casual use, the difference is invisible — but in scientific writing, publishing, or data formatting, using the correct Unicode character matters. The Option + Shift + 8 shortcut on macOS correctly produces the true degree symbol.

The right method isn't the same for every Mac user. How often you need the symbol, which apps dominate your workflow, and whether your keyboard layout is standard all push the answer in different directions.