Typing special characters on a MacBook can sometimes feel confusing if you are not familiar with the keyboard shortcuts built into macOS. One of the most commonly used symbols is the copyright symbol which is often needed when adding legal text branding your work or citing creative content. If you are wondering how to type the copyright symbol quickly and correctly on a MacBook this guide will walk you through the process.
The good news is that Apple’s macOS makes it simple to insert special symbols without needing to copy and paste from websites. Once you know the shortcut you can use it across any app or document.
Use the Keyboard Shortcut
The easiest and fastest way to type the copyright symbol on a MacBook is to use the built-in keyboard shortcut. Hold down the Option key and press the G key. That is it. You will instantly see the copyright symbol appear: ©
This shortcut works across most applications on macOS including Pages Word Safari Mail Notes and web browsers. It also works when you are entering text in forms writing blog posts or composing emails.
Use the Emoji and Symbols Viewer
If you prefer a more visual method or if you forget the shortcut you can also access the copyright symbol through the Emoji and Symbols viewer.
To open this viewer press Control + Command + Spacebar. This will bring up a window with a wide range of emojis symbols arrows currency signs and more.
In the search bar at the top of the window type “copyright” and you will see the © symbol listed. Click it to insert it into your text. This method is useful if you are also looking for other symbols or want to explore additional characters available on your MacBook.
Add the Symbol via Character Viewer in Menu Bar
You can also add the Emoji and Symbols option to your menu bar for quicker access in the future. Go to System Settings > Keyboard then select Input Sources and enable Show Keyboard and Emoji Viewers in menu bar.
Once enabled click the new icon in the menu bar and choose Show Emoji and Symbols. From there you can search for the copyright symbol as described above and insert it as needed.
Typing in Different Applications
Most apps on a MacBook support the Option + G shortcut but if you are using a third-party app that does not respond to that combination the Emoji and Symbols viewer will still work. This ensures you always have a backup method to type the symbol regardless of the software you are using.
Final Thoughts
Typing the copyright symbol on a MacBook is easy once you know how. The Option + G shortcut is the most efficient way but the Emoji and Symbols viewer provides a handy alternative if needed. Whether you are adding the symbol to a contract a blog post or a video description you can now do it confidently without any extra hassle.