Option (⌥) + Shift (⇧) + 2 = €

February 2026

Given that I live in France right now, I have to type the € sign on a semi-regular basis. If you’re using a U.S. keyboard layout on macOS, typing the euro symbol isn’t obvious — it’s not printed on any key (in initial days I found myself searching for the symbol on the web and then copy pasting the it).

But the shortcut is pretty simple:

Option (⌥) + Shift (⇧) + 2

Press all three together → €

Why this combo?

On the U.S. layout:

Shift + 2 normally gives @
Holding Option switches the keyboard to the alternate symbol layer
So Option + Shift + 2 maps to €

Quick memory trick

Think:

“@ becomes € when you add Option.”

Same key, just one extra modifier.

Bonus: discover other hidden symbols

macOS has many built-in characters behind the Option key:

Go to System Settings → Keyboard
Enable Show Keyboard Viewer
Hold Option or Option + Shift

You’ll see every hidden character live.