On most MacBooks the euro sign (€) is not printed on a key. You can still type it in seconds once you know the right key combination. Which one depends on the keyboard layout your Mac uses. This article explains how to type the euro sign on a Mac, and what to do when a different symbol appears.
At Blue Apple in Amsterdam we get this question a lot, especially from people who have just switched from Windows. There you type € with AltGr + 5, but a Mac has no AltGr key.
The quick way: Option + Shift + 2
MacBooks sold in the Netherlands nearly always have an American (QWERTY) keyboard with the "ABC" or "U.S." layout. On it you type the euro sign like this:
- Hold the Option key (⌥, sometimes called Alt) and the Shift key.
- Press 2.
You now get €. This works in almost every app: Pages, Word, Mail, your browser and Messages.
Other keyboard layouts
- British keyboard: Option + 2.
- German or French keyboard: Option + E.
- "ABC – Extended": Option + Shift + 2, the same as ABC.
You can see which layout you use in System Settings, under Keyboard, at Input Sources. If a layout is selected that does not match the letters on your keys, other characters such as @ and " will come out wrong too. Pick the layout that matches your keyboard.
Cannot remember the shortcut? Use the Character Viewer
Press Control + Command + Space bar (or the Globe key with the world symbol, if your Mac has one). A window with emoji and symbols opens. Type "euro" in the search field and double-click €. This also works for characters such as £, ° and ©.
If you type the euro sign a lot, create a text replacement: in System Settings, Keyboard, Text Replacements add for example "eur" with € as the replacement. When you then type "eur" and a space, it turns into € automatically.
The euro sign in amounts: where does it go?
In Dutch texts the euro sign comes before the amount, with a space in between, and the cents come after a comma. In English texts it is usually written without a space, and the cents come after a full stop. In Numbers or Excel, set the cell's currency to euro; the app then adds the sign itself and you do not have to type it. If you do not want an amount split over two lines, type a non-breaking space between the sign and the number with Option + Space bar.
You get a different character than expected
If Option + Shift + 2 gives a different symbol, check the input source (see above). If the Option key does not work at all, or several keys do not respond or type twice, something may be wrong with the keyboard itself. We see that mostly after spilled drinks or on the older butterfly keyboards. Read MacBook keyboard not working.
If you use a separate Windows keyboard on your Mac, the Option key sits where the Alt key is. Option + Shift + 2 then becomes Alt + Shift + 2.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
If the cause is the keys rather than the settings, we check whether one key can be replaced or whether the whole keyboard has to come out. On many MacBooks the keyboard is fixed into the top of the case, so it is more work than you might expect. You hear beforehand what needs to be done. More about MacBook keyboard repair is on our repair page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Option key on a MacBook?
Left and right of the Command keys, next to the space bar. It says "option" or shows the ⌥ symbol.
Does Option + Shift + 2 also work on an iPad with a keyboard?
Yes, with an American keyboard the same combination works on the iPad.
How do I type the pound or dollar sign?
The dollar sign is Shift + 4. The pound sign is Option + 3.
