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Degree Sign on Mac Keyboard: A Practical Typing Guide

Learn how to type the degree symbol (°) on a Mac keyboard using native shortcuts, Unicode input, and the Emoji & Symbols panel. This practical guide covers macOS variations, fonts, and editor workflows for students, developers, and professionals.

Keyboard Gurus
Keyboard Gurus Team
·5 min read
Degree Symbol Typing - Keyboard Gurus
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Quick AnswerDefinition

The degree sign on a Mac keyboard is the ° character. On macOS, you can type it quickly with Option+Shift+8, or use Unicode Hex Input (Option+00B0) after enabling the input source, or insert from Emoji & Symbols (Ctrl+Cmd+Space). If you frequently switch languages or work in editors that support Unicode, these options ensure reliable input across platforms.

Understanding the degree sign and its uses on macOS

In everyday typing, the degree sign ° represents angles, Celsius temperatures, and other units. For macOS users, typing ° is a common task across text editors, IDEs, and spreadsheets. According to Keyboard Gurus, the most reliable methods revolve around native shortcuts, Unicode input, and quick access to the Emoji & Symbols panel. The goal is to choose a method that fits your workflow, whether you’re writing scientific reports, creating UI strings, or configuring scripts. In this section, we’ll explore methods, edge cases, and font considerations that affect how ° renders in different environments.

Python
# Degree symbol string for programmatic use degree = "°" print(degree)
Bash
# Copy degree symbol to clipboard for quick paste printf "°" | pbcopy

Pro tip: If you frequently embed the degree sign in code comments or docs, store it in a constant and reuse it to avoid typographical inconsistencies.

Native Mac shortcuts: typing ° with the keyboard

Mac users typically type the degree sign using the built-in keyboard shortcut: Option+Shift+8. This single keystroke combination works in most apps, including word processors, browsers, and IDEs, without leaving the current workflow. If you’re on a compact Mac laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, the same shortcut still works because it relies on the Option and Shift modifiers.

Bash
# Mac shortcut demonstration (typing °) # Press: Option + Shift + 8
Bash
# Quick check: copy the symbol via a shell command for paste elsewhere printf "°" | pbcopy # Now you can paste with Cmd+V

If you ever need an alternative, you can rely on Unicode input or the Emoji & Symbols viewer for broader language support.

Unicode Hex Input: enabling and using U+00B0

For Unicode-based input, macOS provides Unicode Hex Input as a dedicated input source. After enabling it, you can type the degree symbol by holding Option and typing 00B0. This method is especially useful in editors that retain exact Unicode characters across platforms. Keyboard Gurus notes that enabling Unicode Hex Input unlocks reliable insertion of many Unicode characters beyond °.

Bash
# Copy the Unicode code point to clipboard, then paste printf "\u00B0" | pbcopy
Bash
# Steps to enable Unicode Hex Input (manual): # 1) System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources # 2) Add Unicode Hex Input # 3) Switch to Unicode Hex Input and type Option+00B0

Note: This path requires you to switch input sources; it’s not the default for most users but offers precise control for multilingual documents.

Editor-friendly strategies and font considerations

Different editors and fonts render the degree symbol with subtle variations. For consistent results, consider using a font that supports the degree glyph across weights (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, or system fonts) and test the symbol in headings, code blocks, and UI strings. Keyboard Gurus highlight that display can differ between app versions and fonts, so always verify in your target environment. You can also generate a degree symbol programmatically to ensure uniform rendering in documentation or tests.

Python
# Build a test string including ° to verify fonts render correctly s = "Angle = 45° and 60°" print(s)
Bash
# Quick font verification: render to a file (UTF-8) and inspect bytes printf "Angle: 45°" > test_deg.txt xxd test_deg.txt | head -n 1

If you notice glyph collisions or fallback glyphs, consider switching the font or embedding the degree symbol from a vector graphic for UI elements.

Practical workflow: choosing method by context

Your method choice depends on the environment: quick typing with Option+Shift+8 for rapid notes or code comments; Unicode Hex Input for cross-platform projects; Emoji & Symbols viewer for multilingual content; or a simple copy-paste workflow when you’re editing in apps that don’t respect keyboard quirks. Keyboard Gurus emphasize aligning your method with your editor and font to minimize inconsistencies.

Bash
# Copy-paste workflow for speed: printf "°" | pbcopy # Paste into your document with Cmd+V
Python
# Include degree in a string constant for portable code pi_note = "Pi = 3.14°" print(pi_note)

Common variations: in some languages, the degree symbol is typed differently or expressed with a numeric substitute; choose the method that gives you the most reliable result in your typical workflow.

Troubleshooting: fonts, input, and common issues

If the degree symbol appears as a box or a question mark, your font or encoding might not support the character in that context. Verify the file encoding (UTF-8 is recommended) and test in the target application. You can also verify the actual bytes using a simple hexdump to ensure you’re using the correct Unicode code point (U+00B0).

Bash
# Verify UTF-8 encoding of the degree symbol printf "°" | hexdump -C
Bash
# Quick test: insert as part of a Markdown file and render printf "Angle = 45°" >> sample.md

If issues persist, switch to a font that supports the degree glyph or embed the symbol as an image in critical UI components.

Steps

Estimated time: 5-12 minutes

  1. 1

    Check your setup

    Confirm you are on macOS and have a standard keyboard with Option and Shift keys. Ensure you know where the virtual keyboard viewer can be opened if needed.

    Tip: Know your target app's paste behavior; some apps strip special characters.
  2. 2

    Use the native shortcut

    Press Option+Shift+8 to insert the degree symbol quickly while typing in any text field.

    Tip: If you’re on a compact keyboard, ensure you press both modifiers together rather than in sequence.
  3. 3

    Try Unicode Hex Input if needed

    Enable Unicode Hex Input in Input Sources and type Option+00B0 to produce ° in apps that rely on Unicode.

    Tip: Switch back to your primary input source after typing.
  4. 4

    Alternative: Emoji & Symbols viewer

    Open the viewer with Ctrl+Cmd+Space, search for degree, and insert into your document.

    Tip: This is useful for multilingual documents or fonts that misrender.
  5. 5

    Verify rendering in your target app

    Check how ° appears in headings, code blocks, and inline text; adjust font if necessary.

    Tip: Test in bold or italic contexts where glyph width may differ.
Pro Tip: Enable a dedicated input source like Unicode Hex Input for reliable Unicode character insertion.
Warning: Some fonts don’t render ° consistently; test in your target UI to avoid misalignment.
Note: On laptops without a numeric keypad, Option+Shift+8 remains the same; no extra keys required on Mac.

Prerequisites

Required

  • Mac computer running macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer
    Required
  • A keyboard with Option and Shift keys
    Required
  • Ability to access macOS Settings to enable Unicode Hex Input
    Required
  • Basic familiarity with copy-paste and keyboard shortcuts
    Required

Optional

  • Optional: Emoji & Symbols viewer access (Ctrl+Cmd+Space)
    Optional
  • Text editor or IDE to test input (e.g., Pages, Word, VS Code)
    Optional

Keyboard Shortcuts

ActionShortcut
Type degree symbolWorks in most apps; requires numeric keypad on some Windows laptopsAlt+0176
Unicode Hex Input methodEnable Unicode Hex Input in Input Sources to use Option+00B0—
Open Emoji & Symbols viewerSearch for 'degree' and insert—

Got Questions?

What is the degree sign and where is it used?

The degree sign (°) denotes degrees in angles and temperature and is a Unicode glyph widely supported across platforms. It’s commonly used in technical writing, engineering, and science contexts.

The degree sign is °, used for angles and temperatures. It’s a Unicode character supported widely across apps.

Can I type the degree sign on Mac without enabling Unicode Hex Input?

Yes. The standard macOS shortcut is Option+Shift+8. This works in most applications without enabling special input sources.

Yes, the usual Mac shortcut is Option+Shift+8.

What if ° renders as a box in my document?

If ° renders as a box, the font or encoding may not support the glyph. Try a different font and ensure UTF-8 encoding is used in the file.

If you see a box, switch to a font that supports the degree glyph and ensure UTF-8 encoding.

Is there a cross-platform way to type °?

Yes. Use Unicode Hex Input on macOS and Alt+0176 on Windows, or copy-paste from a ready-made degree symbol. Emoji & Symbols also helps for multilingual needs.

You can use Unicode input or copy-paste the degree symbol across platforms.

How can I verify the character encoding?

You can verify the bytes of the degree symbol by printing to a file and inspecting with a hex dump to confirm it is U+00B0 in UTF-8.

Check the UTF-8 bytes to ensure correct encoding.

Does the degree symbol vary by font?

Yes. Rendering can vary slightly by font; test in headings, code, and UI text across your typical environments.

Fonts can render ° differently; test in your app.

What to Remember

  • Use Option+Shift+8 for quick degree sign on Mac.
  • Unicode Hex Input offers cross-platform reliability when enabled.
  • Emoji & Symbols provides alternative access for multilingual typing.
  • Test rendering across fonts and editors to ensure consistency.

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