macOS keyboard shortcuts

macOS shortcuts are the layer underneath almost every app. Start with clipboard and window control, then use Mission Control, screenshots, Finder, text movement, and system actions when the desktop gets busy.

macOS · 109 shortcuts

Essentials

Use the clipboard, undo, search, print, and quit controls that work across most Mac apps.

ActionmacOS
Copy the selected item to the ClipboardAlso copies files in the Finder.CmdC
Cut the selected itemCmdX
Paste the Clipboard contentsCmdV
Undo the previous commandCmdZ
Redo, reversing the undo commandShiftCmdZ
Select all itemsCmdA
Find items in a document or open a Find windowCmdF
Find the next occurrenceCmdG
Find the previous occurrenceShiftCmdG
Open the selected item or an Open dialogCmdO
Open the print dialogCmdP
Save the current documentCmdS
Open a new tabCmdT
Open settings for the front appCmd,
Open the Character ViewerFn+E is also documented.ControlCmdSpace
Create a Quick NoteFnQ

Apps and windows

Switch apps, hide or close windows, move focus, and manage the current application.

ActionmacOS
Switch to the next most recently used appCmdTab
Switch between windows of the app you are usingUses the key above Tab, left of 1, on most keyboards.Cmd`
Quit the current appCmdQ
Close the front windowOption-Cmd-W closes all windows of the app.CmdW
Minimize the front window to the DockCmdM
Hide the windows of the front appOption-Cmd-H hides all other apps.CmdH
Force quit an appOptionCmdEsc
Use or stop using the app in full screenIf supported by the app.ControlCmdF

Mission Control

Open Mission Control, move across spaces, and show or hide the desktop around the current windows.

ActionmacOS
Open Mission ControlControlUp
Show all windows of the front appControlDown

Screenshots

Capture the full screen, a window, or a selected region and open the screenshot utility.

ActionmacOS
Screenshot the entire screenShiftCmd3
Screenshot a selected area of the screenShiftCmd4
Open the Screenshot utility for captures and recordingmacOS Mojave or later.ShiftCmd5

Finder

Open Finder locations, preview files, create folders, and manage items from the keyboard.

ActionmacOS
Preview the selected item with Quick LookSpace
Create a new empty folderShiftCmdN
Move the selected item to the TrashCmdDelete
Open a Go to Folder windowShiftCmdG
Show the Get Info window for a fileCmdI
Open a new Finder windowCmdN
Open the Documents folderShiftCmdO
Open Connect to ServerCmdK
Go to the previous folderCmd[
Go to the next folderCmd]
Open the folder containing the current folderCmdUp
Open the selected item in FinderCmdDown
Empty the TrashShiftCmdDelete
View Finder items as iconsCmd1
View Finder items as a listCmd2
View Finder items in columnsCmd3
Duplicate the selected Finder itemCmdD
Eject the selected disk or volumeCmdE
Open the Computer windowShiftCmdC
Open the Desktop folderShiftCmdD
Open the Recents windowShiftCmdF
Open the current user's Home folderShiftCmdH
Open iCloud DriveShiftCmdI
Open the Network windowShiftCmdK
Open the Downloads folderOptionCmdL
Show or hide the Finder Preview paneShiftCmdP
Show or hide the Finder tab barShiftCmdT
Open the Utilities folderShiftCmdU
Show or hide the Finder path barOptionCmdP
Show or hide the Finder status barCmd/
Show Finder View OptionsCmdJ
Open a Quick Look slideshowOptionCmdY
Move files from the ClipboardOptionCmdV

Text editing

Move by character, word, line, or paragraph, then select, delete, and transform text.

ActionmacOS
Move to the beginning of the lineCmdLeft
Move to the end of the lineCmdRight
Move to the beginning of the previous wordOptionLeft
Move to the end of the next wordOptionRight
Move to the beginning of the documentCmdUp
Move to the end of the documentCmdDown
Scroll up one pageFnUp
Scroll down one pageFnDown
Scroll to the beginning of a documentFnLeft
Scroll to the end of a documentFnRight
Bold the selected textCmdB
Italicize the selected textCmdI
Underline the selected textCmdU
Delete the word to the left of the insertion pointOptionDelete
Delete the character to the right of the insertion pointControlD
Show the definition of the selected wordControlCmdD
Open the Spelling and Grammar windowShiftCmd:
Find misspelled wordsCmd;
Delete the character to the leftControlH
Delete the character to the rightFn+Delete is also forward delete.ControlD
Cut to the end of the paragraphControl+Y pastes this app-local cut buffer.ControlK
Center the cursor or selection in viewControlL
Move up one lineControlP
Move down one lineControlN
Go to the app's search fieldOptionCmdF
Open Save As or duplicate the documentShiftCmdS
Open Page SetupShiftCmdP
Paste and match surrounding styleOptionShiftCmdV

System

Reach system controls for locking, sleep, display, accessibility, and forced app actions.

ActionmacOS
Show or hide Spotlight searchCan change input sources instead when multiple input sources are used.CmdSpace
Lock your screenControlCmdQ
Open the Character Viewer with the function keyFnE
Show the desktopCmdMission Control
Show or hide the DockFnA
Show or hide Control CenterFnC
Show or hide Notification CenterFnN
Put the displays to sleepControlShiftPower
Show the restart, sleep, or shut down dialogControlPower
Open Accessibility ShortcutsOptionCmdF5
Move focus to the DockControlF3
Move focus to the active or next windowControlF4
Move focus to the window toolbarControlF5
Move focus to the floating windowControlF6
Move focus to the previous panelControlShiftF6

Make a printable macOS sheet