Alt Codes on Mac (Option Key Shortcuts) — Complete Guide

Mac doesn’t work like Windows “Alt codes”.

On Windows, you can hold Alt and type a number code on the keypad to insert symbols.

On Mac, people say “alt codes” but they usually mean these real Mac methods:

• Option-key shortcuts (fast everyday shortcuts)
• Character Viewer (search any symbol by name and insert it)
• Unicode Hex Input (advanced; only works after you enable it)
• App-specific methods (Word / Google Docs) as a fallback

This guide shows the fastest ways, plus a cheat sheet and a placeholder for a click-to-copy tool you can use anytime.

1-Minute Answer (fastest methods)

Method A (Most reliable): Character Viewer (works for almost any symbol)

1. Put your cursor where you want the symbol.
2. Press Control + Command + Space.
3. Search the symbol name (example: degree, copyright, check mark).
4. Double-click the symbol to insert it. Apple Support

Method B (Fast typing): Option shortcuts (common symbols)

Try these on a typical US Mac keyboard layout:

• © Copyright: Option + G
• ® Registered: Option + R
• ™ Trademark: Option + 2
• ° Degree: Option + Shift + 8
• € Euro: Option + Shift + 2
• • Bullet: Option + 8
• … Ellipsis: Option + ;
• – En dash: Option + –
• — Em dash: Option + Shift + –
• “ ” Smart quotes: Option + [ and Option + Shift + [
• ‘ ’ Smart apostrophes: Option + ] and Option + Shift + ]

If any of these don’t work on your keyboard, use Method A (Character Viewer) instead.

Method C (Advanced): Unicode Hex Input (optional)

You can type a Unicode code only after you enable Unicode Hex Input in macOS settings. Then you hold Option and type the hex code (example: 00A9 for ©). See the “Unicode Hex Input” section below.

Quick Reference (top shortcuts + how to find them)