If you use a MacBook regularly whether for work school or personal use knowing exactly how much battery life remains can help you plan your day and avoid unexpected shutdowns. While Apple keeps the interface clean by showing only a battery icon by default you can easily enable the battery percentage to get a clearer picture of your remaining power.
This guide explains how to show the battery percentage on your MacBook running macOS Ventura Monterey or earlier versions. It also includes tips on how to monitor battery health and improve battery usage.
Turning on Battery Percentage in macOS Ventura or Later
If your MacBook is running macOS Ventura or a newer version follow these steps to show the battery percentage in the menu bar:
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select System Settings. In the sidebar choose Control Centre. Scroll down until you find the Battery section.
Next to Show Percentage toggle the switch to turn it on. Once activated you will see the exact battery percentage next to the battery icon in the top right corner of your screen. This setting is saved automatically and remains active even after restarting your Mac.
Showing Battery Percentage in macOS Monterey or Earlier
For users with macOS Monterey Big Sur or Catalina the steps are slightly different. Click the Apple menu then select System Preferences. Open the Dock & Menu Bar section then scroll down in the sidebar and click on Battery under the “Other Modules” section.
Tick the box labelled Show Percentage. The number will now appear next to the battery icon in your menu bar.
If you are using an even older version of macOS the setting may be under Energy Saver in System Preferences. The option remains similar and will still show the battery percentage clearly once enabled.
Why Displaying the Percentage Helps
Seeing the battery percentage offers more precision than relying on a visual icon. It is especially useful if you are away from a charger working on battery-intensive tasks or managing your device’s power usage throughout the day.
Knowing whether you have 73 percent or just 18 percent left can be the difference between finishing a meeting or having your MacBook shut down unexpectedly. It also helps you decide when to switch to Low Power Mode or reduce screen brightness to conserve battery.
Battery Percentage Not Showing?
If you have followed the steps above but still do not see the percentage try restarting your MacBook. Make sure macOS is updated to the latest version by going to System Settings > General > Software Update.
Also check that you are not using a third-party menu bar app that could interfere with battery display settings. Some customisation tools might hide or override system icons.
Additional Battery Monitoring Tools
In addition to showing the percentage macOS offers other ways to keep an eye on your battery. Go to System Settings > Battery to view usage history and enable Low Power Mode. You can also check which apps are using significant energy.
For more detailed insights into battery health including cycle count and condition hold down the Option key and click the battery icon in the menu bar. You will see a status such as Normal or Service Recommended.
Final Thoughts
Displaying the battery percentage on your MacBook is a simple adjustment that gives you a clearer view of your power status. Whether you are trying to stretch battery life through a long day or simply prefer a more precise reading it is a feature worth turning on.
With just a few clicks in System Settings or Preferences you can stay better informed and avoid being caught out with a flat battery at the wrong time.