Robert C. Guerra
November 9, 2023
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How to Type the Degree Symbol on a Mac Keyboard A Step-by-Step Guide

When typing on a Mac keyboard, you may come across the need to use special symbols, such as the degree symbol (°). Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who loves to use symbols in their writing, knowing how to easily type the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard can be a useful skill.

Fortunately, typing the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of typing the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard, so you can start using it in your writing right away.

To type the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard, you can use a combination of keys. First, press and hold the “Shift” key on your keyboard. Then, press the key with the number “8” on it. This will produce the degree symbol (°) on your screen. It’s important to note that this method works on most Mac keyboards, but there may be slight variations depending on the model.

Section 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you are using a Mac keyboard and need to type the degree symbol (°), there are several keyboard shortcuts you can use to easily insert this symbol into your text. These shortcuts are simple and can save you time when typing.

Option + Shift + 8: This is the most common keyboard shortcut used to type the degree symbol on a Mac. Simply press and hold the Option and Shift keys, then press the number 8 key to insert the degree symbol.

Option + K: Another keyboard shortcut you can use is Option + K. Press and hold the Option key, then press the letter K key to insert the degree symbol.

Option + 0: If you prefer another keyboard shortcut, you can use Option + 0. Press and hold the Option key, then press the number 0 key to insert the degree symbol.

Option + Shift + 9: Lastly, you can also use Option + Shift + 9 as a keyboard shortcut to insert the degree symbol. Press and hold the Option and Shift keys, then press the number 9 key to insert the degree symbol.

Using these keyboard shortcuts, you can easily type the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard without the need for copying and pasting from other sources. Remember to use the correct combination of keys depending on your preference and keyboard layout.

Step 1: Press the Option Key

To type the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard, you need to use the Option key. The Option key, also known as the Alt key, is located on either side of the spacebar on a Mac keyboard.

Here’s how to press the Option key to type the degree symbol:

1. Press and hold the Option key on your Mac keyboard.
2. While holding the Option key, press the key that has the number zero (0) on it.

By pressing the Option key and the number zero key simultaneously, you will be able to type the degree symbol on your Mac.

Step 2: Press the Shift Key

After locating the keyboard’s degree symbol, the next step is to press the Shift key on your Mac keyboard. The Shift key is located on the left and right sides of the keyboard, usually labeled with an upward arrow or the word “Shift.”

Pressing the Shift key while typing the degree symbol will result in a capital letter “O” with a superscript degree symbol. This is the correct way to type the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard.

Keep in mind that pressing the Shift key is necessary to access the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard. If you do not press the Shift key, you may end up typing a different character or symbol instead.

Remember to release the Shift key after pressing it to ensure that you continue typing regular characters and symbols.

Step 3: Press the 8 Key

After activating the “Option” key, you will need to press the “8” key on your Mac keyboard. This key is located in the top row of your keyboard, just above the letters.

Pressing the “8” key will input the degree symbol onto your document or text field. The degree symbol is a small circle placed above the baseline, and it represents degrees of temperature or angles.

Make sure to press the “8” key while still holding down the “Option” key. If you release the “Option” key before pressing the “8” key, the degree symbol will not be typed.

Remember, this method works on most Mac keyboards and is a quick and easy way to type the degree symbol without having to use special characters or memorize keyboard shortcuts.

Section 2: Using the Character Viewer

If you are unable to find the degree symbol on your keyboard, you can use the Character Viewer on your Mac to easily insert it into your documents. The Character Viewer is a tool that allows you to browse and insert various symbols and special characters.

To access the Character Viewer, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the System Preferences window, click on “Keyboard”.
4. Click on the “Input Sources” tab.
5. Check the box next to “Show input menu in menu bar”.
6. Close the System Preferences window.
7. Click on the input menu icon in the menu bar (it looks like a flag).
8. Select “Show Character Viewer” from the drop-down menu.

Once the Character Viewer is open, you can search for the degree symbol by typing “degree” in the search bar. The degree symbol should appear in the results. You can then click on it to insert it into your document.

Alternatively, you can browse through the various categories in the Character Viewer to find the degree symbol. It is usually located under the “Mathematical Symbols” or “Symbols” category.

Remember to close the Character Viewer once you have inserted the degree symbol into your document.

Step 1: Open the Character Viewer

To type the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard, you can use the Character Viewer, which allows you to access a wide range of symbols and special characters. Here’s how to open the Character Viewer:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the System Preferences window, click on “Keyboard.”
4. Go to the “Keyboard” tab.
5. Check the box that says “Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar.”
6. Close the System Preferences window.
7. Click on the new icon in the menu bar that looks like a keyboard or smiley face.
8. In the drop-down menu, click on “Show Character Viewer.”

The Character Viewer will now open, allowing you to browse and select various symbols, including the degree symbol.