Mac keyboard shortcuts
By pressing certain key combinations, you can take actions that normally require a mouse or trackpad. Every app can have its own shortcuts, and shortcuts that work in one app might not work in another.
Using keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts use one or more of these modifier keys, which in menus are abbreviated using symbols:
Fn (Function) or Globe
Control (or Ctrl) ⌃
Option (or Alt) ⌥
Shift ⇧
Caps Lock ⇪
Command (or Cmd) ⌘
Esc (Escape) ⎋
Tab ⇥
Delete ⌫
Return ⏎
Up Arrow ▲
Down Arrow ▼
Left Arrow ◀
Right Arrow ▶
To use a shortcut, press and hold the modifier keys, then press the last key of the shortcut. For example, to use Command-C, press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. (On keyboards made for Windows PCs, press the Alt key instead of Option, and the Ctrl key or Windows logo key instead of Command.)
The keys in the top row of many Apple keyboards have special symbols and functions, such as for brightness
, Mission Control
, and more. To use these keys as F1, F2, F3, or other standard function keys, combine them with the Fn (Function) or Globe key. Some of them can be combined with the Option key to quickly open certain system settings.
Cut, copy, paste, and other common shortcuts
Command-X: Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.
Command-C: Copy the selected item to the Clipboard. This also works for files in the Finder.
Command-V: Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app. This also works for files in the Finder.
Command-Z: Undo the previous command. You can then press Shift-Command-Z to Redo, reversing the undo command. In some apps, you can undo and redo multiple commands.
Command-A: Select All items.
Command-F: Find items in a document or open a Find window.
Command-G: Find Again: Find the next occurrence of the item previously found. To find the previous occurrence, press Shift-Command-G.
Command-H: Hide the windows of the front app. To view the front app but hide all other apps, press Option-Command-H.
Command-M: Minimize the front window to the Dock. To minimize all windows of the front app, press Option-Command-M.
Command-O: Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open.
Command-P: Open a print dialog so that you can print the current document.
Command-Q: Quit the current app.
Command-S: Save the current document.
Command-T: Open a new tab.
Command-W: Close the front window. To close all windows of the app, press Option-Command-W.
Option-Command-Esc: Force quit an app.
Command–Space bar: Show or hide the Spotlight search field. If Siri AI (Beta) is turned on, you can also start a conversation with Siri from the Spotlight search field. To perform a Spotlight search from a Finder window, press Option–Command–Space bar. (In some versions of macOS, if you use multiple input sources to type in different languages, these shortcuts change input sources. Learn how to change a conflicting keyboard shortcut.)
Control–Command–Space bar or Fn-E: Show the Character Viewer, from which you can choose emoji and other symbols.
Control-Command-F: Use or stop using the app in full screen, if supported by the app.
Space bar: Use Quick Look to preview the selected item.
Command-Tab: Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps.
Command–Grave accent (`): Switch between the windows of the app you're using. (The character on the second key varies by keyboard. It's generally the key above the Tab key and to the left of the number 1.)
Shift-Command-5: In macOS Mojave or later, take a screenshot or make a screen recording. Or use Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 for screenshots. Learn more about screenshots.
Shift-Command-N: Create a new empty folder in the Finder.
Control-Command-N: Create a new folder that contains the currently selected items.
Command-Comma (,): Open settings (preferences) for the front app.
Fn-Q: Create a Quick Note.
Sleep, log out, and shut down shortcuts
You might need to press and hold some of these shortcuts for slightly longer than other shortcuts. This helps you to avoid using them unintentionally.
Power button:
Press to turn on your Mac or wake it from sleep.
Press and hold to force your Mac to turn off, such as when your Mac isn’t responding and you can’t choose Shut Down from the Apple menu .
On keyboards with Touch ID, press to lock your screen.
On built-in keyboards without Touch ID, press and hold for 1.5 seconds to put your Mac to sleep. Or press Option–Command–Power button.
Control–Shift–Power button: On built-in keyboards without Touch ID, put your displays to sleep.
Control–Power button: On built-in keyboards without Touch ID, show a dialog asking whether you want to restart, sleep, or shut down.
Control–Command–Power button: On built-in keyboards without Touch ID, force your Mac to restart, without prompting to save any open and unsaved documents.
Control–Option–Command–Power button: On built-in keyboards without Touch ID, quit all apps, then shut down your Mac. If any open documents have unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you want to save them. This is equivalent to choosing restart from the Apple menu .
Control-Command-Q: Lock your screen.
Shift-Command-Q: Log out of your macOS user account. You will be asked to confirm. To log out immediately without confirming, press Option-Shift-Command-Q.
Option key while choosing Log Out, Shut Down, or Restart from the Apple menu : Complete the action without showing a confirmation dialog.
Finder and system shortcuts
Command-D: Duplicate the selected files.
Command-E: Eject the selected disk or volume.
Command-F: Start a Spotlight search in the Finder window.
Command-I: Show the Get Info window for a selected file.
Command-R: (1) When an alias is selected in the Finder: show the original file for the selected alias. (2) In some apps, such as Calendar or Safari, refresh or reload the page. (3) In Software Update, check for software updates again.
Shift-Command-C: Open the Computer window.
Shift-Command-D: Open the desktop folder.
Shift-Command-F: Open the Recents window, showing all of the files you viewed or changed recently.
Shift-Command-G: Open a Go to Folder window.
Shift-Command-H: Open the Home folder of the current macOS user account.
Shift-Command-I: Open iCloud Drive.
Shift-Command-K: Open the Network window.
Option-Command-L: Open the Downloads folder.
Shift-Command-N: Create a new folder.
Shift-Command-O: Open the Documents folder.
Shift-Command-P: Show or hide the Preview pane in Finder windows.
Shift-Command-R: Open the AirDrop window.
Shift-Command-T: Show or hide the tab bar in Finder windows.
Control-Shift-Command-T: Add selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later).
Control-Shift: Press and hold while accessing the Dock to use or stop using Dock magnification.
Shift-Command-U: Open the Utilities folder.
Option-Command-D: Show or hide the Dock.
Control-Command-T: Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later).
Option-Command-P: Hide or show the path bar in Finder windows.
Option-Command-S: Hide or show the Sidebar in Finder windows.
Command-Slash (/): Hide or show the status bar in Finder windows.
Command-J: Show View Options.
Command-K: Open the Connect to Server window.