How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac and MacBook
Simple ways to type ° on a Mac, including keyboard shortcuts, Character Viewer, and copy-paste options.
Click a symbol below to copy it instantly. A confirmation message will appear when it is on your clipboard.
The fastest shortcut
Press Option + Shift + 8 to type the degree symbol: °. It works in Notes, Pages, Google Docs, email, spreadsheets, and most browser text fields. If you are writing temperatures, add the number first, then the degree mark: 72° or 21°C.
If the shortcut does not work
Use the Mac Character Viewer. Press Control + Command + Space, search for “degree”, then double-click the symbol. This is helpful when you are using an international keyboard layout or an app that captures keyboard shortcuts.
A quick habit that saves time
Keep common temperature symbols nearby. You can copy °, ℃, and ℉ from our measurement collection, then paste them into weather notes, recipes, product specs, school assignments, or technical documentation.
Related symbol collections
If you want more options, browse our temperature and measurement symbols. These pages are useful when you need to compare similar characters before copying one into a document.
Is the degree symbol the same as a small zero?
No. The degree sign ° is a Unicode symbol. A superscript zero can look similar, but it is not the same character.
Use it for temperatures and angles
the symbol appears in temperatures, angles, map coordinates, recipes, weather notes, and technical measurements. In casual writing, it usually sits directly after the number, such as 72°F or 45°. If you include C or F, keep the unit attached so the value is easy to scan.
What not to type instead
A lowercase o, a zero, or a superscript circle can look similar to the symbol, but they are not the same character. Using the real degree sign helps your text copy cleanly between Word, Google Docs, spreadsheets, email, and web pages.
Quick FAQ
Can I copy and paste it? Yes. Copying the symbol is safe for normal documents, emails, web forms, and design tools. If it appears wrong after pasting, switch to a common font or copy it again from TypeSymbol.com.