When most users need to convert currency, find out how many ounces are in a cup, or perform a quick calculation, they immediately open a web browser and search Google. While this works, macOS users have a much faster, built-in tool sitting right on their desktop: Spotlight Search.
Spotlight is primarily known as a tool for finding files and launching applications, but it is also a powerful, instant-access utility for math and unit conversions that does not require an active internet connection (for non-currency conversions).
How to Access Spotlight
You can access Spotlight from anywhere in macOS, regardless of which application you currently have open.
- Press Command + Spacebar on your keyboard.
A search bar will instantly appear in the centre of your screen. (You can also click the small magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of your menu bar, but the keyboard shortcut is much faster).
Using Spotlight as a Calculator
You do not need to launch the Calculator app for basic arithmetic. Simply type your equation directly into the Spotlight search bar.
For example, type:
45 * 12(for multiplication)150 / 3(for division)2^8(for exponents)sqrt(144)(to find a square root)
Spotlight will instantly display the correct answer immediately below the search bar. You can even press Command + C while the answer is displayed to copy the result directly to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it into a document or email.
Using Spotlight for Unit Conversions
Spotlight understands hundreds of different measurements and can translate them instantly without you needing to specify the target unit. It will automatically convert to the standard measurements used in your region (e.g., metric vs. imperial).
Simply type the amount and the unit into Spotlight. For example:
- Type
10 kg(Spotlight will instantly show you the equivalent in pounds). - Type
75 fahrenheit(Spotlight will show you Celsius). - Type
5 miles(Spotlight will show you kilometres). - Type
3 cups(Spotlight will show you fluid ounces and millilitres).
If you want to force a specific conversion (for example, converting feet to millimetres rather than the default inches), simply type the word “in” between the units:
- Type
10 feet in mm
Using Spotlight for Currency Conversion
If your Mac is connected to the internet, Spotlight can perform live currency conversions using up-to-date exchange rates provided by Yahoo Finance.
Just like unit conversions, you simply type the amount and the currency symbol or name:
- Type
$500or500 USD - Type
1000 JPY(Japanese Yen) - Type
£50 in Euros
Spotlight will instantly display the converted amount in your local currency, saving you the time of opening a browser, navigating to a financial website, and typing the numbers manually.