How to Type Degree Symbol on Mac [Quick Tips]

Since the degree symbol is not immediately visible on any keyboard, typing it on your Mac or typing it on any other computer may appear to be a bit perplexing, but it is really actually quite simple if you know and learn how to use the proper shortcuts using your keyboard.

On macOS and Mac OS X, there are two different keyboard shortcuts to help you produce degree signs. These shortcuts can be used on how to type degree symbol on Mac. Check out our guide below.

Part 1. How Do I Make the Degree Symbol on My Keyboard?

There is what you call a Special Characters menu. It is where you can select from a varied option of symbols, characters, and emojis. However, this is actually not the easiest and simplest choice if you will only need a basic degree sign. So let's implement a keyboard shortcut to show how to type degree symbol on Mac.

Move your cursor to the place at which you intend to enter a degree sign while typing. Then afterward, use one of the keyboard shortcuts listed below:

1. Option (or ALT) + Shift + 8 will input a symbol that looks like this: Temperature Symbol: 55°. This key combination inserts the required or correct degree sign.
2. Option (or ALT) + K will input a symbol that looks just like this: Degree Symbol: 13˚. This key combination inserts a tiny small degree symbol that most closely resembles the actual degree symbol but is also quite smaller.

We're not pretty sure if there's a substantial difference between the big and small degree symbols when being used in a meteorological or mathematical context, but even so, either of the ones would likely explain your concept. It's important to keep in mind that the bigger degree sign is inserted when you use the Special Characters menu technique mentioned in the section below. What’s important is, these are the things you do on how to type degree symbol on Mac.

You may input the degree sign in any text editor or word processor that has a text entry point, such as Pages, Word, Chrome, Messages, Safari, or any other text editor or word processor. These keystrokes are global and generally supported by any software that supports typing on Mac OS X.

Part 2. How to Type the Temperature/Degree Symbol in Microsoft Office?

To test this, launch any Mac software that allows you to type, such as Pages, Notes, Messages, TextEdit, or Microsoft Word, Excel.

1. Open a typing testing program on your Mac, such as that of "TextEdit," "Pages", or “Messages”.
2. Position your mouse pointer within the text entry place and start typing as typically normal.

3. Type these out-degree temperature signs one of the two shortcuts of your keyboard. It is either the Option (or ALT) + K or the Option (or ALT) + Shift + 8.

That's all there is to it; you may input the required temperature degree sign using either keyboard shortcut. Typically, Option (or ALT) + Shift + 8 is the simplest to remember, but choose whatever works best for you.

It is important to note that, using that simple keyboard trick, you can also enter the degree sign on iOS on your iPhone or iPad. In this case, you’ll learn how to type degree symbol on Mac and even iOS.