Degree Symbol Shortcut on Mac: Quick Insertion Guide

Learn how to insert the degree symbol on macOS quickly and reliably. This guide covers the fastest keyboard shortcut (Option+Shift+8), using the Emoji & Symbols viewer, Unicode Hex Input, and practical tips for consistent results across apps. A Shortcuts Lib tutorial.

Shortcuts Lib Team

February 25, 2026·5 min read

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Degree Symbol on Mac - Shortcuts Lib — Photo by TBITvia Pixabay

Quick AnswerDefinition

On Mac, the degree symbol can be inserted quickly using the Option+Shift+8 keyboard shortcut. If you prefer a visual picker, use the Emoji & Symbols viewer (Control+Command+Space) to search for and insert the degree symbol. For coding or templates, Unicode escapes like U+00B0 also work across languages and platforms.

Quick Insertion Methods on macOS

macOS offers several reliable ways to insert the degree symbol, including a dedicated keyboard shortcut, the Emoji & Symbols viewer, and Unicode-based input. This section focuses on practical, day-to-day usage so you can type degrees quickly whether you're drafting notes, documenting specifications, or coding. The primary method for speed is the Option+Shift+8 shortcut, which yields the degree symbol ° in US and many other keyboard layouts. If you prefer a visual picker, the Emoji & Symbols viewer (Control+Command+Space) lets you search for degree or degree symbol and insert it with a click. For developers who want to embed degrees in templates, you can use Unicode escapes like U+00B0 in strings or scripts.

Bash

# Bash example: print the degree symbol using Unicode escape
printf $'\u00B0\n'

Bash

# Copy degree symbol to clipboard (macOS) for quick pasting
printf $'\u00B0' | pbcopy

Python

# Python example: create string with degree symbol
degree = '\u00B0'
print('Temp: 25' + degree + 'C')

-1-retiresyke?null?0?0??

Steps

Estimated time: 15-25 minutes

1
Identify your preferred method
Decide whether you want speed (keyboard shortcut), visual accuracy (Emoji & Symbols), or cross-language reliability (Unicode). Factor in your apps and workflow to pick one default method.
Tip: Start with Option+Shift+8 for fastest typing, then add Emoji & Symbols for occasional use.
2
Enable alternative input if needed
If you want Unicode Hex Input, add it as a keyboard source in System Preferences → Keyboard → Input Sources and switch to it when needed.
Tip: Using Unicode Hex Input helps when you need precise codes like 00B0.
3
Test across common apps
Open a document, a terminal, and a code editor to verify that the degree symbol renders correctly and that keyboard shortcuts work as expected.
Tip: Some fonts may not render well in certain editors; try a different font if you see a missing glyph.
4
Document your method
Keep a note of your chosen shortcut and any variations by app so you can reproduce the result quickly in the future.
Tip: Create a tiny cheatsheet for your most-used apps.

Pro Tip: Memorize Option+Shift+8 as your primary method for quick typing of ° on macOS.

Warning: If you use a non-US keyboard layout, the shortcut may differ; test and adjust to your layout.

Note: Emoji & Symbols is a great fallback for visually selecting symbols when shortcuts fail.

Pro Tip: Use Unicode escapes in code to ensure consistent results across languages and platforms.

Prerequisites

Required

macOS 11.0+ (Big Sur or newer)
Required
Text editor or app that supports Unicode / special characters
Required
Basic knowledge of macOS keyboard shortcuts
Required

Optional

Optional: Enable Unicode Hex Input for hex-entry
Optional

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Insert degree symbol (°) via keyboardUS keyboard layout; other layouts may vary	`Alt`+`0176`
Open Emoji & Symbols viewerSearch for degree to insert	`Win`+`.`
Copy degree symbol to clipboardUse when you have a precomposed snippet	`Ctrl`+`C after selecting symbol`
Paste degree symbol from clipboardAny app that accepts paste	`Ctrl`+`V`

Questions & Answers

What is the quickest way to insert the degree symbol on Mac?

The fastest method is Option+Shift+8. This shortcut works in most apps and is generally reliable. For verification or occasional use, the Emoji & Symbols viewer (Control+Command+Space) is a practical fallback.

Can I customize degree symbol shortcuts on Mac?

Yes. You can adopt the standard Option+Shift+8 as your primary shortcut and reserve Emoji & Symbols for visual selection. Some apps may override custom shortcuts, so test across your workflow.

Why isn’t Option+Shift+8 working for me?

Possible reasons include a non-US keyboard layout, a conflicting shortcut, or font issues. Try the Emoji & Symbols route or enable Unicode Hex Input as a fallback.

Is the degree symbol the same as the diameter symbol?

No. The degree symbol (°) denotes temperature or angles, while the diameter symbol (⌀) represents diameter. Use the correct glyph in your context.

How do I insert a degree symbol in code quickly?

Use Unicode escapes like \u00B0 in strings (languages that support escapes), or embed the symbol directly if your source file encoding supports it.