How to type the euro sign on Mac
To type the euro sign on Mac, press Option + Shift + 2 on a standard US keyboard layout. If you use a British Mac layout, the shortcut is even simpler: press Option + 2. The € sign inserts cleanly into any macOS app including Pages, Notes, Safari, and Mail.
Quick answer
On US keyboards, press Option + Shift + 2 to get €. On UK keyboards, press Option + 2.
Step by step
Place your cursor
Click in the document, email, or input field where you want to type the currency symbol.
Press the modifier keys
Hold down the Option key (⌥). On a US keyboard, also hold down the Shift key.
Tap the number key
Press the 2 key on the top number row. The euro symbol (€) appears at the cursor.
Keyboard layout differences on macOS
Apple tailors Option key combinations to regional keyboard standards. On standard American (US) keyboards, Option + Shift + 2 types the euro sign because Shift + 2 normally produces the @ symbol. On British (UK) Mac keyboards, the pound sign (£) is assigned to Shift + 3, and Apple mapped the euro to Option + 2. On European continental layouts such as French, German, and Spanish, the euro shortcut is typically Option + E or Option + $. Check our Mac Option key shortcuts guide to see every currency mapped to the keyboard.
Using the macOS Character Viewer
If you cannot remember the keyboard shortcut or your layout alters the number row, macOS includes a built-in character palette. Press Control + Command + Space to display the Character Viewer. Type “euro” into the search field in the top-right corner. Double-click the € symbol to paste it into your active text field. The Character Viewer also saves the euro under your Recently Used list for one-click access later. Learn how to configure favorite categories in our Mac Character Viewer guide.
Creating an automatic text expansion
If you balance European budgets, invoice European clients, or travel frequently, you can create a permanent text replacement in macOS. Navigate to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements. Click the plus button (+), enter a trigger such as eurr into the Shortcut column, and paste € into the Phrase field. Whenever you type that trigger followed by a space, macOS automatically replaces it with the euro mark. This shortcut synchronizes seamlessly to your iPhone and iPad via iCloud.
Currency placement and cross-platform tips
Different European languages follow different typographic standards for the euro. In English and Irish contexts, the symbol precedes the numerical amount with no intervening space (€150). In French, German, and Italian publications, the symbol is placed after the number, separated by a non-breaking space (150 €). For complete technical details, code points, and HTML entities, explore our euro sign symbol page. If you ever switch to a PC, check our guide on typing the euro sign on Windows, or explore the currency symbols collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mac shortcut for the euro sign?
On US keyboards, press Option + Shift + 2. On UK keyboards, press Option + 2. On French and German layouts, press Option + E.
Why does Option + 2 not type € on my Mac?
Your Mac is set to the US keyboard layout, where Option + 2 produces the trademark sign ™. Use Option + Shift + 2 instead, or switch input layouts.
How do I type € on an iPad with a Magic Keyboard?
The iPad hardware keyboard uses the same shortcuts as a Mac: Option + Shift + 2 on US keyboards and Option + 2 on UK keyboards.