Display battery percentage in the menu bar
Your MacBook can show the exact battery percentage next to the battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen. By default, most Macs display only the battery icon without a number. Turning on the percentage takes about 30 seconds and requires no downloads or restarts.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have an older Mac or a newer one with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 chips). Both methods use the System Settings app, which is the central place where your Mac stores preferences.
Key Takeaways
- Battery percentage appears in the menu bar at the top right of your screen, next to the battery icon, once you enable it in System Settings.
- On Intel Macs and older Apple Silicon models, you find this setting under System Settings > Control Center > Battery.
- On newer MacBooks with M-series chips, the setting is under System Settings > Control Center > Battery, with the option to show percentage in the menu bar.
- Once enabled, the percentage updates in real time as you use your MacBook and stays visible until you turn it off.
- You can also see battery percentage by clicking the battery icon itself, which opens a dropdown menu showing the current charge level.
Steps for Intel Macs and older Apple Silicon models
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. On older Macs running macOS Big Sur or earlier, this app may be called System Preferences instead.
In System Settings, click Control Center in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see Battery. Click the dropdown menu next to Battery and select "Show in Menu Bar". Close System Settings. The battery percentage should now appear in your menu bar next to the battery icon.
If you do not see Control Center in the sidebar, your Mac may be running an older version of macOS. In that case, click Energy Saver in System Preferences instead, and look for an option labeled "Show battery status in menu bar".
Steps for newer MacBooks with M1, M2, and M3 chips
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Control Center in the left sidebar. Find Battery in the list and click it.
Look for the option that says "Show Percentage" or "Show in Menu Bar". Toggle this option on. The battery percentage will appear when ready in the menu bar at the top right of your screen, next to the battery icon. You can close System Settings now.
If you do not see a Battery option in Control Center, your version of macOS may not support this feature. Check the Apple menu and select "About This Mac" to see which macOS version you are running. Macs running macOS Monterey or later typically have this feature.
What the battery percentage display looks like
Once enabled, the battery percentage appears as a number directly to the right of the battery icon. For example, you might see a small battery symbol followed by "87%". The number updates every few seconds as your battery drains or charges.
The percentage reflects your actual battery charge at that moment. If your MacBook is plugged in and charging, the percentage will increase over time. If you are using your MacBook on battery power, the percentage will decrease as you work.
The display takes up minimal space in your menu bar. If your menu bar feels crowded, you can hide the percentage again by returning to System Settings > Control Center > Battery and toggling the option off.
Checking battery percentage without enabling the menu bar display
If you prefer not to show the percentage permanently in your menu bar, you can still check it at any time. Click the battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen. A small dropdown menu will appear showing your current battery percentage and whether your MacBook is charging or running on battery power.
This method is useful if you only want to check your battery occasionally. The dropdown also shows you how much time remains before your battery is fully depleted, though this estimate becomes less accurate as your battery ages.
Troubleshooting if the percentage does not appear
If you have turned on the battery percentage setting but it still does not show in your menu bar, restart your Mac. Click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, wait a few seconds, and turn your MacBook back on. After restart, the percentage should appear.
If the percentage still does not show, check that you are in the correct System Settings section. On newer Macs, make sure you are in Control Center, not Battery in the sidebar. On older Macs, confirm you are in Energy Saver or Control Center depending on your macOS version.
If your menu bar is extremely crowded with other icons, your Mac may hide the battery percentage to save space. Try removing other menu bar items by opening System Settings > Control Center and toggling off items you do not use frequently.
Why your MacBook hides battery percentage by default
Apple hides the battery percentage by default to keep the menu bar clean and uncluttered. Most users can see at a glance from the battery icon alone whether their MacBook is running low on power. The icon fills with color as the battery charges and empties as it drains.
Showing the exact percentage takes up extra space and is most useful for people who need to know precisely how much battery remains before they need to charge. If you rarely check your battery status, leaving the percentage hidden keeps your menu bar simpler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will showing the battery percentage drain my battery faster?
No. Displaying the percentage in your menu bar uses a negligible amount of power. The only thing that drains your battery is the actual work your MacBook is doing — running applications, using the display, and processing data. A small number in your menu bar has no measurable impact on battery life.
Can I customize how the battery percentage looks?
The appearance of the battery percentage is fixed by your macOS version and cannot be customized. You can only turn it on or off. The color, font size, and position are controlled by Apple and cannot be changed through System Settings or third-party apps.
Does the battery percentage show when my MacBook is plugged in?
Yes. The percentage displays whether your MacBook is running on battery power or plugged into power. When plugged in, the percentage will increase toward 100% as your battery charges. The battery icon also changes appearance to show a lightning bolt when charging.
What if I have an older Mac that does not support this feature?
Very old Macs running macOS versions before Lion (2011) may not have this feature in System Settings. If you cannot find the battery percentage option, your Mac may be too old to support it. You can still check your battery by clicking the battery icon in the menu bar.
Can I show battery percentage on an external monitor connected to my MacBook?
No. The battery percentage only appears in the menu bar of your MacBook's built-in display. If you connect an external monitor, the menu bar stays on your MacBook screen. The percentage will not transfer to the external display.