What's the shortcut for typing the degree symbol on a Mac?

Mac
1

I’m working on a project where I need to include temperature measurements, and I can’t figure out how to type the degree symbol on my Mac. I’ve tried different key combinations, but nothing seems to work. Can anyone help?

2

To type the degree symbol (°) on a Mac, you can use a couple of different methods, depending on what feels most comfortable for you and what you’re currently doing.

First, the simplest and most direct way: press Shift + Option + 8. This shortcut works in most applications and immediately prints the degree symbol.

Detailed Steps

  1. Place the cursor where you want the degree symbol to appear in your text.

  2. Press:

    • Shift
    • Option (also labeled as Alt on some keyboards)
    • 8

    It might take a couple of tries if you’re not used to it, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly. That should instantly insert the ° symbol.

If that doesn’t work for you or you’re looking for alternatives (maybe you don’t like the keyboard shortcut for some reason), there are other methods you can try:

Character Viewer

macOS has a built-in tool called the Character Viewer which provides an easier way to find and insert symbols. It’s especially useful if you’re already comfortable with navigating menus and prefer a visual approach.

  1. Open the Character Viewer:

    • Click the Edit menu at the top of the screen.
    • Select Emoji & Symbols or press Control + Command + Space hotkey.

  2. Search for “degree”:

    • In the search box at the top right of the window, type “degree”.
    • You should see the degree symbol (°) among the results.

  3. Insert the Symbol:

    • Double-click the degree symbol (°) to insert it at the current cursor position in your text.

Text Replacement

Another handy method, if you’re dealing with the degree symbol frequently, is to set up a text replacement in System Preferences so you won’t have to remember the shortcut.

  1. Open System Preferences:

    • Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner.
    • Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

  2. Keyboard Settings:

    • Go to Keyboard and then click the Text tab.

  3. Set up a Replacement:

    • Click the + button to add a new text replacement.
    • In the left column, type a shortcut like deg or any other short sequence you want to replace.
    • In the right column, paste the degree symbol (°) by first copying it (you can copy it from this forum post!).

Now, whenever you type deg, it will automatically change to the degree symbol. This method is super useful if you have repetitive tasks and want to save even more time.

Using Unicode

For those who like a bit more of a technical approach or find themselves often using LaTeX, HTML, or other text formats that support Unicode, you can manually type the Unicode for the degree symbol.

  1. Type the Unicode Directly: The Unicode for the degree symbol is U+00B0.

    • For example, in HTML, you can write ° to display the degree symbol.

  2. Needs a specific app: Some text-editing apps or environments might support directly typing Unicode sequences after first pressing a special key combination, but this varies widely depending on the software you’re using.

Different characters might display better with different fonts, so if that fdegreesuncertain for you, just stick with the simple keyboard shortcut or character viewer.

Important Note on Font Support

Sometimes, the degree symbol might not display correctly if the font you’re using doesn’t support it. Most modern and commonly used fonts do offer support, but if you encounter an issue try changing the font to something standard like Arial, Times New Roman, or Helvetica.

Lastly, remember to double-check your document or project for the correct insertion of the degree symbol, especially if you’re copying and pasting or using replacement shortcuts. These might sometimes lead to formatting issues depending on the application environment.

That should cover it! With the keyboard shortcut, Character Viewer, or text replacement, you should be all set to smoothly insert the degree symbol into any of your projects on your Mac. If you’re using highly specialized software, make sure to check whether they have particular ways to handle special characters too.

3

I’ve got to hand it to @byteguru for giving such a comprehensive rundown. Besides what they’ve mentioned, let me toss in a few more methods you might find useful, especially if you run into hiccups with the shortcuts or if you just want to try something different.

Customized Keyboard Layouts

If you’re into tweaking things beyond the usual system preferences, you might consider creating a custom keyboard layout. It allows you to redefine key combinations, making inserting the degree symbol (°) effortless. An app like Karabiner-Elements can help you with this. Yes, it’s a bit more advanced, but for power users, it’s a lifesaver.

Steps to Do This:

  1. Download and Install Karabiner-Elements:

  2. Open Karabiner-Elements and navigate to the “Simple Modifications” or “Complex Modifications” tab.

  3. Add a New Rule:

    • Look for rules or create a new one where you can map a shortcut you’d rarely use to the degree symbol.

Using Dictation

Believe it or not, you can also interact with your Mac using voice commands. There’s the built-in dictation feature, which surprisingly includes some command support for special characters.

  1. Enable Dictation:

    • Navigate to System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation and turn it on.
    • Double-tap the Function (Fn) key to start dictation.

  2. Speak the needed symbol:

    • Say, “degree symbol” and the dictation feature will attempt to insert it where your cursor is.
    • It doesn’t work as seamlessly with some applications, but it can be a neat trick, especially if your hands are tied up.

Other Software and Third-party Apps

Sometimes a specialized text editor like Microsoft Word, which has its own methods for inserting symbols, might be more in line with what you need, particularly if native Mac solutions aren’t cutting it.

  • Word for Mac:
    • Insert Menu: Navigate to Insert > Symbol and you can find the degree symbol there.
    • Alt Code: Office applications sometimes support Alt + 0176 from a standard PC keyboard, which occasionally extends to other USB keyboards connected to a Mac. Definitely give it a shot if you have one lying around.

Using a Web-based Character Map

If you’re really in a pinch, head over to websites like Amp-what or CopyChar. These sites let you copy and paste symbols directly. It’s a web-based Character Viewer, without needing to fiddle with any system settings.

Lastly, don’t forget to keep an eye out for potential weird formatting issues. Displaying the degree symbol might differ slightly based on the application you’re using.

Honestly, the Shift + Option + 8 combo is straightforward once you get the hang of it, but there’s nothing wrong with seeking out or setting up a method that fits your workflow best. Cheers!

4

Yea, all these shortcuts and worksarounds are fine and dandy, but nobody mentions the real struggle: remembering them in the first place! Shift + Option + 8 might be simple for some, but others might find it cumbersome. And let’s not even talk about the Character Viewer – can you say overcomplicated?

If you’re in a rush or hate dealing with a thousand different methods, just copy and paste the degree symbol from a reliable web source like CopyChar.cc. Yes, it’s not fancy, but it works, and you don’t need to remember a single shortcut.

Also, let’s be real here: Custom Keyboard Layouts? Using an app like Karabiner-Elements just to type a degree symbol? Seriously? None of that is necessary unless you enjoy overengineering simple problems.

Here’s a simpler idea: create a shortcut directly on your Mac’s text replacement settings. Set “deg” to automatically convert into “°”. It’s straightforward and done in a few minutes.

And that Text Replacement method? It might mess up if you accidentally typo “deg” in other contexts. So, your mileage may vary.

Lastly, if you have Word on a Mac, there’s an Insert menu for symbols. It’s close to idiot-proof, and works every time. No fluff, just function. If you don’t have Word, Google Docs works similarly.

Overall, keep it simple. All these over-the-top suggestions are overkill for a tiny problem.