How to Type the Degree Temperature Symbol on a Mac

To type a temperature such as 20°C or 68°F on a Mac, insert the degree sign (°) before the temperature unit. The quickest method is a keyboard shortcut; you can also use Character Viewer if you forget the shortcut or need to find the symbol.

What You’ll Need

A Mac keyboard and an app where you can enter text, such as a document, email, note, or message.
For the shortcut, a keyboard layout that uses the standard macOS Option-key combination. If your layout differs, use Character Viewer instead.

Step-by-Step

Click where you want the symbol. Open or select the text field and place the insertion point immediately before the temperature unit. For example, to enter 20°C, type 20 first and leave the cursor after the zero.
Press Option-Shift-8. Hold down the Option key and Shift key, then press 8. On a Mac keyboard, Option may also be marked Alt. Release the keys after pressing 8. The degree symbol, °, should appear at the cursor.
Type the temperature unit. Type C for Celsius or F for Fahrenheit. The finished text should look like 20°C or 68°F. The degree sign goes before the letter, with no space in standard temperature notation.
Check that you inserted the right character. A degree sign is a small raised circle: °. It is not the lowercase letter o, a zero, or the masculine ordinal sign º. If the character looks unexpected, delete it and try the shortcut again or use Character Viewer.
Use Character Viewer if the shortcut does not work. In many macOS apps, choose Edit > Emoji & Symbols from the menu bar. You may also be able to open Character Viewer with the keyboard shortcut Control-Command-Space. In the viewer, search for degree, select Degree Sign (°), then double-click it or insert it using the viewer’s controls.
Continue typing or copy the result. Once inserted, the symbol is ordinary text. You can copy and paste ° into another field or document, or keep it in a note for quick access.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong key combination: For the standard Mac layout, the degree sign is Option-Shift-8, not Shift-8 alone. Shift-8 typically types an asterisk (*).
Confusing similar-looking symbols: The degree sign is °. The ordinal character º can look similar at small sizes but is a different character. Use Character Viewer’s name or search results to confirm you selected Degree Sign.
Putting the symbol after the unit: Write °C or °F, not C° or F°.
Adding an unnecessary space: Standard temperature notation places the number and degree sign together, as in 20°C. In some technical styles, a space may be used between a number and a unit, but follow the style required for your document rather than inserting one by accident.
Assuming every keyboard layout behaves the same: A customized or non-US input source can change which character a key combination produces. Check your selected input source before concluding that the Mac or app is broken.
Typing a superscript zero instead: Formatting a zero as superscript does not necessarily insert the degree character. It may look close, but searching or copying the text can reveal that it is a different character.

Tips

Remember the shortcut as Option, Shift, 8. Press all three together. The keyboard shortcut inserts the symbol at the current cursor position, so place the cursor carefully before using it.
Copy and paste when speed matters. You can copy this character: °. Paste it wherever you need it. This is especially useful in an app that intercepts keyboard shortcuts.
Use Character Viewer to inspect symbols. Searching for degree can help distinguish the degree sign from other circle-like characters. Character Viewer is also useful for inserting symbols that do not have a familiar shortcut.
Check text substitutions if the symbol changes. If a symbol is replaced after you type it, look at the app’s editing or text-replacement settings. Automatic substitutions can vary by app and may alter what you entered.
Keep notation consistent. Use the same temperature scale and spacing throughout a document. The symbol alone does not specify whether a reading is Celsius or Fahrenheit; include the correct letter.

Troubleshooting

The shortcut types an asterisk or another character. Confirm you are holding Option and Shift while pressing 8. If the result is still different, check the active keyboard input source in the macOS menu bar or in System Settings > Keyboard. Keyboard layouts and custom shortcuts can change key behavior.

Option-Shift-8 does nothing. Try the shortcut in a different text app. If it works there, the first app may use that shortcut for another command or may not accept text in the selected field. Use Edit > Emoji & Symbols in the app, or copy and paste °.

You cannot find Emoji & Symbols. Check the app’s Edit menu; menu options depend on the app. If the menu item is unavailable, try Control-Command-Space while the cursor is in a text field. You can also open Character Viewer from the input menu when that menu is enabled in keyboard settings.

The symbol appears as a box or question mark. The app or font may not be displaying the character correctly. Try a common system font, paste the character into another app, or export and reopen the file. If it displays correctly elsewhere, the issue is likely limited to the original app or its font.

The symbol changes after insertion. Undo the change, then check the app’s text replacement or autocorrection settings. You can also insert the degree sign through Character Viewer or paste it into the document to avoid a shortcut conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mac shortcut for the degree symbol?
Press Option-Shift-8 on a standard Mac keyboard layout. Then type C or F for a temperature.

How do I type °C on a Mac?
Type the number, press Option-Shift-8, then type C. For example, enter 20, the shortcut, and C to get 20°C.

How do I type °F on a Mac?
Type the number, press Option-Shift-8, then type F. For example, 68°F.

Can I insert the degree symbol without a keyboard shortcut?
Yes. Open Edit > Emoji & Symbols or use Control-Command-Space where supported. Search for degree and choose Degree Sign.

Why does Option-Shift-8 give me a different character?
Your keyboard input source, a custom keyboard mapping, or the app may change the shortcut’s behavior. Try Character Viewer, or copy and paste °.

Is the degree symbol the same as the small circle in º?
No. The degree sign is °; º is a different character. Select Degree Sign in Character Viewer to insert the temperature symbol.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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