Linux GNOME keyboard shortcuts

GNOME's Super-key shortcuts connect the desktop shell to the work inside its windows. This reference covers the current official shell defaults for Activities, windows, workspaces, monitors, notifications, screenshots, recording, and common text editing.

Linux · 29 shortcuts

Shell navigation

Use the Super key to reach Activities, switch windows, open applications, and move through the top bar and notifications.

ActionLinux
Show the Activities overviewStart typing to search from the overview.Super
Open the run-command promptAltF2
Switch between windowsHold Shift to cycle in reverse.SuperTab
Switch between windows of the same applicationThe key above Tab can replace the backtick on some keyboard layouts.Super`
Show the applications overviewSuperA
Cycle through windows on the current workspaceAltEsc
Move keyboard focus to the top barCtrlAltTab
Show the notification listPress again or press Esc to close it.SuperV

Workspaces and monitors

Move between workspaces, send the current window with the move, and move a window to another monitor.

ActionLinux
Switch to the workspace on the leftSuperPage Up
Switch to the workspace on the rightSuperPage Down
Move the current window to the workspace on the leftShiftSuperPage Up
Move the current window to the workspace on the rightShiftSuperPage Down
Move the current window to the monitor on the leftShiftSuperLeft
Move the current window to the monitor on the rightShiftSuperRight
Move the current window to the monitor aboveShiftSuperUp
Move the current window to the monitor belowShiftSuperDown

Screenshots and recording

Capture the screen, a window, or an area, then start or stop a screencast with the shell's documented defaults.

ActionLinux
Open the screenshot toolPrint
Take a screenshot of the current windowAltPrint
Take a screenshot of the entire screenShiftPrint
Start or stop a screencastCtrlShiftAltR

Text and terminal editing

These common GNOME application and Terminal bindings cover clipboard work and undoing edits in fields that follow the standard conventions.

ActionLinux
Select all textCtrlA
Cut the selectionCtrlX
Copy the selectionCtrlC
Paste the clipboardCtrlV
Undo the last editCtrlZ
Copy selected text in GNOME TerminalCtrlShiftC
Paste into GNOME TerminalCtrlShiftV

System

Lock the screen or open the system power dialog from the GNOME shell without opening the Settings app.

ActionLinux
Lock the screenSuperL
Open the power-off dialogCtrlAltDelete

Make a printable Linux GNOME sheet