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.

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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.

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Quick Reference (top shortcuts + how to find them)

Symbol	What it’s called	Mac shortcut (Option)	How to find it (Character Viewer search)
°	Degree sign	Option + Shift + 8	search degree
€	Euro sign	Option + Shift + 2	search euro
£	Pound sign	Option + 3	search pound
¥	Yen sign	Option + Y	search yen
©	Copyright	Option + G	search copyright
®	Registered trademark	Option + R	search registered
™	Trademark	Option + 2	search trademark
•	Bullet	Option + 8	search bullet
…	Ellipsis	Option + ;	search ellipsis
—	Em dash	Option + Shift + –	search em dash
✓	Check mark	(use Character Viewer)	search check mark
→	Right arrow	(varies)	search right arrow

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A) The best way on any Mac: Character Viewer (step-by-step)

This is the method I recommend most because it works even when you don’t know the shortcut.

1. Click where you want the symbol (Word, Docs, email, anywhere).
2. Press Control + Command + Space.
   • If that doesn’t open it, try Edit → Emoji & Symbols in the menu bar. Apple Support+1
3. In the search box, type what you want (examples: degree, ellipsis, check mark, copyright).
4. Double-click the symbol to insert it.

How to add Favorites (so you can reuse symbols fast)

1. Open Character Viewer.
2. Find a symbol you use a lot.
3. Add it to Favorites (in many macOS versions you can use the “Add to Favorites” / “Favorite” option in the viewer).
4. Next time, open Character Viewer and go straight to Favorites.

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B) Option key shortcuts (the “Mac alt codes” people mean)

First: what is the Option key?

The Option key is the Mac key that’s often labeled Option or ⌥.
On some keyboards it may also say Alt (especially on non-Apple keyboards).

Option vs Option + Shift

• Option gives you one symbol
• Option + Shift often gives you a related symbol (a “paired” version)

Top Option shortcuts

These are common on many US-layout Mac keyboards:

• ° Degree: Option + Shift + 8
• • Bullet: Option + 8
• … Ellipsis: Option + ;
• – En dash: Option + –
• — Em dash: Option + Shift + –
• © Copyright: Option + G
• ® Registered: Option + R
• ™ Trademark: Option + 2
• € Euro: Option + Shift + 2
• £ Pound: Option + 3
• ¥ Yen: Option + Y
• ≈ Approximately: Option + X
• ≠ Not equal: Option + =
• ≤ Less than or equal: Option + ,
• ≥ Greater than or equal: Option + .

If a shortcut doesn’t work on your keyboard layout, don’t fight it—use Character Viewer, because it’s layout-proof.

Shortcut tables by category

Punctuation & writing

• • Bullet: Option + 8
• … Ellipsis: Option + ;
• – En dash: Option + –
• — Em dash: Option + Shift + –
• “ ” Quotes: Option + [ and Option + Shift + [
• ‘ ’ Apostrophes: Option + ] and Option + Shift + ]

Currency

• € Euro: Option + Shift + 2
• £ Pound: Option + 3
• ¥ Yen: Option + Y

Legal / trademark

• © Copyright: Option + G
• ® Registered: Option + R
• ™ Trademark: Option + 2

Math & logic (popular ones)

• ≠ Not equal: Option + =
• ≤ Less than or equal: Option + ,
• ≥ Greater than or equal: Option + .
• ± Plus-minus: (varies) → easiest: Character Viewer
• π Pi: (varies) → easiest: Character Viewer
• √ Square root: (varies) → easiest: Character Viewer
• ∞ Infinity: (varies) → easiest: Character Viewer

For symbols that “vary”, the fastest reliable method is: Control + Command + Space → search the name.

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C) Unicode Hex Input

What it is

Unicode Hex Input lets you type a symbol by its Unicode hex code.

Important: this is not the same as Windows Alt codes, and it does not work unless you enable it first.

How to enable Unicode Hex Input (simple steps)

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to Keyboard.
3. Find Text Input → click Edit (next to Input Sources).
4. Click the + button and add Unicode Hex Input.
5. Turn on Show Input menu in menu bar so you can switch input sources easily. servicedesk.uwgb.edu

How to use it (typing the hex code)

1. Switch your input source to Unicode Hex Input (from the menu bar input icon).
2. Click where you want the symbol.
3. Hold Option and type the hex code (letters A–F are allowed).
4. Release Option, and the symbol appears.

Examples:

• © is U+00A9 → hold Option and type 00A9
• ° is U+00B0 → hold Option and type 00B0
• € is U+20AC → hold Option and type 20AC
• — is U+2014 → hold Option and type 2014
• … is U+2026 → hold Option and type 2026
• ✓ is U+2713 → hold Option and type 2713

Warning (beginner tip): Unicode Hex Input is powerful, but Character Viewer is easier for most people. Also, while Unicode Hex Input is active, many normal Option shortcuts can behave differently—so switch back to your normal keyboard input when you’re done.

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D) In Microsoft Word on Mac

If you’re in Word and you just want a “menu method”:

1. Go to Insert → Symbol (or Advanced Symbol).
2. Browse or search by name (Word lets you find many symbols by category).
3. Click Insert.

You can still use:

• Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space)
• Common Option shortcuts (like °, ©, ™)

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E) In Google Docs on Mac

Google Docs has its own built-in symbol finder:

1. Go to Insert → Special characters.
2. Search the symbol name (example: degree, copyright, check mark).
3. Click the symbol to insert it.

You can also use Character Viewer if you prefer.

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Most searched Mac shortcuts

Here are the ones people look for the most, with the easiest method first:

Degree symbol (°)

• Fast shortcut: Option + Shift + 8
• Or: Character Viewer → search “degree”

Euro (€)

• Fast shortcut: Option + Shift + 2
• Or: Character Viewer → search “euro”

Copyright (©)

• Fast shortcut: Option + G
• Or: Character Viewer → search “copyright”

Trademark (™)

• Fast shortcut: Option + 2
• Or: Character Viewer → search “trademark”

Registered (®)

• Fast shortcut: Option + R
• Or: Character Viewer → search “registered”

Bullet (•)

• Fast shortcut: Option + 8
• Or: Character Viewer → search “bullet”

Ellipsis (…)

• Fast shortcut: Option + ;
• Or: Character Viewer → search “ellipsis”

Check mark (✓)

• Easiest: Character Viewer → search “check mark”
• Optional: Unicode Hex Input 2713 (advanced)

Em dash (—)

• Fast shortcut: Option + Shift + –
• Or: Character Viewer → search “em dash”

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Troubleshooting

“Option shortcuts don’t work”

Try these quick fixes:

• Make sure you’re pressing the real Option (⌥) key, not Command.
• Check your keyboard layout (US vs UK vs other). Shortcuts can change.
• Some apps capture shortcuts (especially coding apps or remote desktop apps).
  Try the shortcut in a simple place like Notes or TextEdit.
• If all else fails: use Character Viewer (it works even when shortcuts vary).

“Unicode Hex Input doesn’t work”

Common causes:

• You didn’t enable Unicode Hex Input in settings (see the steps above).
• You typed the code without holding Option the whole time.
• You typed U+ (don’t type U or +). You only type the hex digits.
• You forgot to switch the input source to Unicode Hex Input before typing.

“I can’t find it in Character Viewer”

Try different search words:

• For — use: em dash or dash
• For … use: ellipsis or three dots
• For ✓ use: check mark or tick
• For • use: bullet or dot

“My MacBook keyboard is different”

That’s normal. Layouts vary by country, and some keys move.
If the shortcut doesn’t match what you see:

• Use Character Viewer (best universal method)
• Or switch to a layout you’re familiar with in Keyboard settings

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FAQ (quick answers)

Does Mac have Alt codes?

Not in the Windows sense. Mac mainly uses Option shortcuts and Character Viewer. For code-based entry, Mac has Unicode Hex Input (optional).

What is the Option key on Mac?

It’s the key labeled Option or ⌥ (sometimes also “Alt” on some keyboards). It lets you type extra symbols.

How do I type special characters on Mac?

The easiest way is Character Viewer: Control + Command + Space, then search the symbol name.

How do I type the degree symbol / bullet / em dash on Mac?

• Degree: Option + Shift + 8
• Bullet: Option + 8
• Em dash: Option + Shift + –
  If those don’t work on your layout, use Character Viewer and search the name.

How do I enable Unicode Hex Input?

Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Input Sources → Edit → + → Unicode Hex Input, then enable the input menu so you can switch easily.

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Quick recap

Use Character Viewer for anything (Control + Command + Space).
Use Option shortcuts for fast everyday symbols.
Use Unicode Hex Input only if you really need code-based typing.