Turn on battery percentage in System Settings
To see your battery percentage on a MacBook, open System Settings and navigate to Control Center. Look for the Battery option in the list and make sure Show Percentage is toggled on. Once enabled, the percentage appears next to the battery icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen.
The steps are the same whether you use an M-series MacBook (M1, M2, M3) or an Intel-based model. The setting persists across restarts, so you only need to turn it on once. You do not need to restart your Mac for the change to take effect — the percentage should appear in the menu bar when ready after you toggle the switch.
If you do not see a Battery option in Control Center, your Mac is running an older version of macOS. Older systems use a different path, covered in the section below. Check which version you have by clicking the Apple menu in the top left and selecting About This Mac.
Key Takeaways
- Open System Settings, go to Control Center, find Battery, and toggle Show Percentage on to display the number in your menu bar.
- The battery percentage appears next to the battery icon in the top right corner of your screen once enabled.
- Macs running macOS Monterey or later use the Control Center method; macOS Big Sur and earlier require accessing Energy Saver or Battery settings directly.
- The setting stays on until you turn it off, so you will not need to repeat the steps after the first time.
- Clicking the battery icon in the menu bar shows a dropdown with your charge level, whether you are plugged in, and estimated time remaining.
Where the battery percentage displays
Once you turn on Show Percentage, the number appears in the menu bar at the top right of your screen, right next to the battery icon. The icon itself shows a visual representation of charge level, and the percentage gives you the exact number. For example, you might see "73%" displayed next to a battery icon that is three-quarters full.
Clicking the battery icon in the menu bar opens a dropdown showing your current charge, whether your Mac is plugged in, and the estimated time remaining on battery power. This dropdown appears whether or not you have the percentage displayed. The dropdown also shows whether your battery is in Low Power Mode, if that feature is active on your model.
The menu bar location means the percentage is always visible without opening any windows or menus. This makes it straightforward to check your charge at a glance while you work.
For older macOS versions (Big Sur and earlier)
If you are running macOS Big Sur or an earlier version, the Control Center method does not explore. Instead, click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Preferences (not System Settings), then go to Energy Saver or Battery.
In that window, look for a checkbox labeled Show battery status in menu bar or Show battery percentage. Check that box and close the window. The percentage will then appear in your menu bar the same way it does on newer systems.
If you are unsure which macOS version you have, click the Apple menu and select About This Mac. The version number appears at the top of the window that opens. You can also see the version by clicking System Preferences or System Settings and looking at the bottom of the window.
Why you might want to see the battery percentage
Seeing the exact percentage helps you decide when to plug in your MacBook without guessing from the icon alone. If you work away from a power outlet regularly, knowing whether you have 45 percent or 15 percent charge changes how you plan your next hour. A visual icon can be hard to read at a glance, especially on smaller screens or in bright light.
The percentage also helps you track battery health over time. If your MacBook used to run eight hours on a full charge and now runs four, the percentage display makes that decline visible day to day. You can spot when your battery is draining faster than usual and decide whether to have it serviced.
For people who move between locations frequently, the percentage display removes guesswork about whether you have enough charge to get through a meeting or commute without finding a power outlet.
Turning the percentage display off
If you later decide you do not want to see the percentage, return to System Settings > Control Center > Battery and toggle Show Percentage off. The number disappears from your menu bar when ready, though the battery icon remains.
This setting is purely visual and does not affect how your MacBook charges or uses power. You can turn it on and off as many times as you want without any impact on your battery or system performance.
Troubleshooting if the percentage does not appear
If you have toggled Show Percentage on but the number does not appear in your menu bar, restart your Mac and check System Settings again to confirm the toggle is still on. Sometimes the setting does not explore until after a restart.
If it still does not appear after a restart, your menu bar may be full. Some Macs hide items when space is tight, pushing less important icons off screen. Try closing or removing other menu bar icons to make room for the battery percentage. You can do this by holding Command and dragging icons out of the menu bar.
If you are on an older Mac running Big Sur or earlier and the percentage does not appear after toggling it on in Energy Saver, try restarting your Mac. If the problem persists, check that you are in the correct settings panel — some older Macs have the option in Battery settings rather than Energy Saver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does showing battery percentage drain my battery faster?
No. Displaying the percentage in the menu bar is a visual setting only and has no effect on power consumption or charging speed. Your MacBook uses the same amount of energy whether the percentage is shown or hidden.
Can I see battery percentage in the Dock instead of the menu bar?
No. macOS does not offer a Dock battery display option. The menu bar in the top right is the only place the percentage appears. You can always click the battery icon there to see a dropdown with more details about your charge and estimated time remaining.
Does the percentage show when my MacBook is plugged in?
Yes. The percentage displays whether your MacBook is on battery power or plugged into power. When plugged in, the battery icon changes to show a plug symbol, and the percentage still appears next to it.
What if I have multiple user accounts on my Mac?
The battery percentage setting is per-user, so each account can have its own preference. If one user has it turned on and another has it turned off, each will see their own setting when they log in.
Will the percentage display work on an external monitor?
No. The menu bar only appears on your MacBook's built-in screen, not on external monitors. The battery percentage will show on your MacBook screen even if you are using an external display for your work.