Macworld

One thing that never ceases to amaze me about macOS is the amount you can do with just a few keyboard shortcuts. In fact, Apple seems to have coded so many functions into various combinations of key presses that it feels like I’m finding new ones every day. And whether you’re a newbie with a Neo or a veteran from the PowerBook days, there are always new ones to learn.

Here, we’ll show you all of the best macOS keyboard shortcuts that you need to know. Memorize a few of them and you’ll be well on your way to a faster, more convenient way to use your Mac. And if you ever forget one or want to discover a few new shortcuts, just come back here and check our extensive list. Keep in mind that some third-party apps override these combinations with ones of their own.

For even more keyboard tips see The Most Useful Mac Keyboard Shortcuts You Should Know.

The key keys

Keyboard shortcuts involve combinations of modifier keys. Here, we will refer to these modifier keys using their abbreviations:

  • Command: Cmd
  • Control key: Ctrl
  • Delete key: Del
  • Function key: Fn
  • Option key: Opt
Core macOS functions ActionCombinationMove selected item to the TrashCmd-DelEmpty the TrashShift-Cmd-DelEmpty the trash without confirmationOpt-Cmd-Shift-DelCycles through appsCmd-Tab (Cmd-Shift-Tab reverses the selection)Cycles through the open windows of your currently selected appCmd-`Open SpotlightCmd-spacebarSearch within FinderCmd-Opt-spacebarOpen the Apps app (macOS Tahoe or later) or open Launchpad (before Tahoe)Fn-Shift-AOpen the Character ViewerCtrl-Cmd-spacebar or Fn-EShows the DesktopCmd-F3 or Fn-H or Fn-F11Opens Mission ControlCtrl-Up arrowShow all the open windows of the foremost appCtrl-Down arrowOpen Mission Control settingsOpt-F3Opens and closes Control CenterFn-CStarts and stops dictationFn-DOpens and closes the Notification CenterFn-NLock ScreenCtrl-Cmd-Q (or press the power button on MacBooks)Log out of your user accountShift-Cmd-QLog out of your user account without confirmationOpt-Shift-Cmd-Q Handling text ActionCombinationCutCmd-XCopyCmd-CPasteCmd-VUndoCmd-ZRedoShift-Cmd-ZBoldCmd-BItalicCmd-IUnderlineCmd-UInsert a web linkCmd-KFind text on screenCmd-FFind next instance of text on screenCmd-GGo back to previous instance of text on screenShift-Cmd-GOpen the Spelling and Grammar windowShift-Cmd-;Look for misspelled wordsCmd-;Delete word left of insertion pointOpt-DelDelete character left of insertion pointDel or Ctrl-HDelete character right of insertion pointFn-Del or Ctrl-DMove insertion point to start of documentCmd-Up arrowMove insertion point to end of documentCmd-Down arrowMove insertion point to start of current lineCmd-Left arrowMove insertion point to end of current lineCmd-Right arrowMove insertion point to start of previous word or the end of next wordOpt-Left arrow or right arrowMove insertion point to paragraph above or belowOpt-Up arrow or down arrowHighlight all text from current insertion point to start of documentShift-Cmd-Up arrowHighlight all text from current insertion point to end of documentShift-Cmd-Down arrowHighlight all text from current insertion point to end of lineShift-Cmd-Right arrowHighlight all text from current insertion point to start of lineShift-Cmd-Right arrowHighlight all text from current insertion point to start of paragraphShift-Opt-Up arrowHighlight all text from current insertion point to end of paragraphShift-Opt-Down arrowHighlight all text from current insertion point to same location in line aboveShift-Up arrowHighlight all text from current insertion point to same location in line belowShift-Down arrowHighlight one character, then select next characterShift-Right arrowHighlight one character, then select previous characterShift-Left arrowMove to start of line or paragraphCtrl-AMove to end of line or paragraphCtrl-EMove one character forwardCtrl-FMove one character backwardsCtrl-BMove one line upCtrl-PMove one line downCtril-NGo back to the insertion point locationCtrl-LInsert a new line after insertion pointCtrl-OSwap character to right of insertion point with one to the leftCtrl-T Manage apps and files ActionCombinationClose active windowCmd-WClose all app windows, keep app runningOpt-Cmd-WSave fileCmd-SCycle through open appsCmd-Tab or Shift-Cmd-TabHide all windows of the foremost appCmd-HHide all app windows except foremost appOpt-Cmd-HEnter or exit full screen for foremost appCtrl-Cmd-FMinimize current windowCmd-MMinimize every window of frontmost appOpt-Cmd-MOpen settings for frontmost appCmd-,Open new tabCMd-TQuit appCmd-QForce quit unresponsive appOpt-Cmd-EscPreview a fileSelect file, then spacebar or Cmd-YPreview selected files as slideshowOpt-Cmd-Y Explore the Finder ActionCombinationDuplicate selected itemsCmd-DEject the selected disk or volumeCmd-ESearch within FinderCmd-FGet Info for chosen fileCmd-IShow View OptionsCmd-JConnect to Server windowCmd-KOpen new Finder windowCmd-NCreate a new tab in FinderCmd-TOpen selected itemCmd-Down arrowGo to previous folderCmd-[Go to next folderCmd-]Open folder containing the current folderCmd-Up arrowOpens folder containing the current folder in a new windowCtrl-Cmd-Up arrowChange the Finder view, going through icons, a list, columns and a galleryCmd-1 through Cmd-4Open Applications folderShift-Cmd-AOpen Desktop folderShift-Cmd-DOpen Computer windowShift-Cmd-COpen Recents windowShift-Cmd-FOpen Go to Folder windowShift-Cmd-GOpen the Home folderShift-Cmd-HOpen iCloud DriveShift-Cmd-IOpen Network windowShift-Cmd-KOpen Downloads folderOpt-Cmd-LCreate new folderShift-Cmd-NCreate a new Smart FolderOpt-Cmd-NOpen Documents folderShift-Cmd-OMake alias of currently selected itemCtrl-Cmd-AShow/hide Preview side pane in FinderShift-Cmd-POpen AirDropShift-Cmd-ROpen Shared folderShift-Cmd-SShow/hide tab bar in FinderShift-Cmd-TOpen Utilities folderShift-Cmd-UAdd selected item to Finder sidebarCtrl-Cmd-TShow/hide path bar in FinderOpt-Cmd-PShow/hide sidebar in FinderOpt-Cmd-SShow/hide status bar in FinderCmd-/Hide top toolbar in FinderOpt-Cmd-TMove copied files to a new location.Opt-Cmd-VOpen file/folder while closing original windowHold Opt while double-clicking file/folderOpen folder in new tab/windowHold Cmd while double-clicking folderCopy item to new location instead of moving itDrag file while holding OptMove item to new location instead of copying itDrag file while holding CmdMake aliasHold Opt-Cmd, then select item and drag the alias to its locationIn Finder window, open all subfoldersIn List view, hold Opt and click the triangleIn Finder window, see all the folders that contain the current oneCmd-click Finder window title barIn Finder window, select multiple filesHold Cmd while clicking on the different filesIn Finder window List view, select a consecutive selection of filesHold Shift; click the first item, then click the last item The Dock ActionCombinationAdd selected item to DockCtrl-Shift-Cmd-TDisable magnification if it is turned onHold Shift-CmdHide or show DockOpt-Cmd-DSelect the left-most item in DockFn-AMove between iconsFn-A, then left or right arrow Screenshots ActionCombinationShoot entire screen (includes additional displaysShift-Cmd-3Select portion of screen to shootShift-Cmd-4, then select the portionShoot specific window with drop shadowShift-Cmd-4, then press Spacebar; move Camera cursor to the window and clickShoot specific window without drop shadowShift-Cmd-4, then press Spacebar; move Camera cursor to the window and hold Opt while clickingOpen Screenshot appShift-Cmd-5 Displays ActionCombinationRaise/lower brightness in smaller incrementsOpt-Shift-Brightness up or brightness downOpen Display System SettingsOpt-Brightness up or downChange the brightness of an external display (if supported)Ctrl-Brightness up or downTurn video mirroring on/offCmd-Brightness down Move and resize windows ActionCombinationExpands window to fill DesktopFn-Ctrl-FMoves window to center of screenFn-Ctrl-CMoves and resizes window to fill left half of screenFn-Ctrl-Left arrowMoves and resizes window to fill right half of screenFn-Ctrl-Right arrowMoves and resizes window to fill top half of screenFn-Ctrl-Up arrowMoves and resizes window to fill bottom half of screenFn-Ctrl-Down arrowRestores the window to previous sizeFn-Ctrl-RMoves and resizes active window to fill left half of display; window below fills rightFn-Ctrl-Shift-Left arrowMoves and resizes active window to fill right half of display; window below fills leftFn-Ctrl-Shift-Right arrowMoves and resizes active window to fill top half of display; window below fills bottomFn-Ctrl-Shift-Up arrowMoves and resizes active window to fill bottom half of display; window below fills topFn-Ctrl-Shift-Down arrowMoves and resizes active window to fill left half of your screen. Second and third windows fill the top-right and bottom-right portions of your displayFn-Ctrl-Opt-Shift-Left arrowMoves and resizes active window to fill right half of your screen. Second and third windows fill the top-left and bottom-right portions of your displayFn-Ctrl-Opt-Shift-Right arrowMoves and resizes active window to fill top half of your screen. Second and third windows fill the bottom-left and bottom-right portions of your displayFn-Ctrl-Opt-Shift-Up arrowMoves and resizes active window to fill bottom half of your screen. Second and third windows fill the top-left and top-right portions of your displayFn-Ctrl-Opt-Shift-Down arrow Other ActionCombinationOpens Keyboard System SettingsOpt-Keyboard brightness up or downAdjust keyboard brightness in smaller incrementsOpt-Shift-Keyboard brightness up or downOpen Sounds Sytem SettingsOpt-Volume up or downAdjust sound volume in smaller incrementsOpt-Shift-Volume up or volume down