The Alt key on a Mac keyboard is labeled as the Option key and is located on both sides of the spacebar, directly next to the Command (⌘) keys. This means there are two Option (Alt) keys-one to the left of the left Command key and one to the right of the right Command key
. On newer Mac keyboards, the key is marked with the symbol ⌥ and the word "Option," while older models may also include the "Alt" label alongside "Option"
. The Option key serves as the Mac equivalent of the Windows Alt key, used in various keyboard shortcuts and to access special characters
. In summary:
- The Alt key on Mac = Option key (⌥)
- Location: On each side of the spacebar, next to the Command keys
- Label: "Option" and sometimes "Alt" on older models
- Function: Used for shortcuts and entering special characters
This placement and dual labeling help accommodate both left- and right-handed users and facilitate efficient keyboard shortcuts on macOS
