macOS is packed with keyboard shortcuts that can dramatically speed up your daily workflow. Instead of reaching for the mouse to navigate menus, switch between apps, or manage files, you can accomplish the same tasks in a fraction of the time with a quick key combination.
This guide covers the most useful Mac keyboard shortcuts organised by category, from everyday basics to window management, Finder navigation, and text editing. Whether you are new to Mac or have been using one for years, there are likely shortcuts here that will save you time.
Understanding Mac Modifier Keys
Before diving into shortcuts, it helps to know the Mac modifier key symbols you will see throughout this guide:
| Symbol | Key Name |
|---|---|
| ⌘ | Command |
| ⌥ | Option (Alt) |
| ⇧ | Shift |
| ⌃ | Control |
| fn | Function |
The Command (⌘) key is the most frequently used modifier on Mac. It replaces the Ctrl key used on Windows for most common shortcuts.
Everyday Essentials
These are the shortcuts you will use most frequently:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + C | Copy |
| ⌘ + V | Paste |
| ⌘ + X | Cut |
| ⌘ + Z | Undo |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + Z | Redo |
| ⌘ + A | Select all |
| ⌘ + S | Save |
| ⌘ + P | |
| ⌘ + F | Find |
| ⌘ + W | Close the current window |
| ⌘ + Q | Quit the current app |
| ⌘ + N | Open a new window |
| ⌘ + T | Open a new tab (in browsers and Finder) |
App Switching and Window Management
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + Tab | Switch between open apps |
| ⌘ + ` (backtick) | Switch between windows of the same app |
| ⌘ + M | Minimise the current window to the Dock |
| ⌘ + H | Hide the current app |
| ⌘ + ⌥ + H | Hide all other apps |
| ⌃ + ⌘ + F | Toggle full-screen mode |
| fn + F11 | Show the desktop |
| ⌃ + ↑ | Open Mission Control (view all windows) |
| ⌃ + ↓ | Show all windows for the current app |
| ⌃ + ← / → | Switch between desktop Spaces |
Tip: The ⌘ + ` (backtick) shortcut is one of the most underused Mac shortcuts. If you have multiple Finder windows or browser windows open, this lets you cycle between them without using Mission Control.
Screenshot Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 3 | Capture the entire screen |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 4 | Capture a selected area |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 4, then Space | Capture a specific window |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + 5 | Open the screenshot toolbar (with recording options) |
Screenshots are saved to the Desktop by default. You can change the save location using the screenshot toolbar (⌘ + ⇧ + 5) by clicking Options and selecting a different folder.
To copy a screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving it as a file, add ⌃ (Control) to any screenshot shortcut. For example, ⌘ + ⌃ + ⇧ + 3 copies a full-screen screenshot to the clipboard.
Finder Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + ⇧ + N | Create a new folder |
| ⌘ + Delete | Move selected item to the Bin |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + Delete | Empty the Bin |
| ⌘ + D | Duplicate selected file |
| ⌘ + I | Get Info (view file details) |
| Space | Quick Look (preview a file without opening it) |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + G | Go to a specific folder path |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + H | Open the Home folder |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + D | Open the Desktop folder |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + A | Open the Applications folder |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + U | Open the Utilities folder |
| ⌘ + . (period) | Show or hide hidden files |
Tip: Quick Look (pressing Space on a selected file) is one of the most powerful Finder features. It lets you preview documents, images, videos, and PDFs without opening any application. Press Space again to close the preview.
Text Editing Shortcuts
These shortcuts work in most text fields and applications on macOS:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + B | Bold |
| ⌘ + I | Italic |
| ⌘ + U | Underline |
| ⌥ + ← / → | Move cursor one word at a time |
| ⌘ + ← / → | Move cursor to start / end of line |
| ⌘ + ↑ / ↓ | Move cursor to start / end of document |
| ⇧ + ⌥ + ← / → | Select one word at a time |
| ⇧ + ⌘ + ← / → | Select to start / end of line |
| fn + Delete | Forward delete (delete character to the right) |
| ⌥ + Delete | Delete the previous word |
Safari and Browser Shortcuts
These shortcuts work in Safari, Chrome, and most other Mac browsers:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + T | Open a new tab |
| ⌘ + W | Close the current tab |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + T | Reopen the last closed tab |
| ⌘ + L | Jump to the address bar |
| ⌘ + R | Reload the page |
| ⌘ + ⌥ + ← / → | Switch between tabs |
| ⌘ + [ / ] | Go back / forward |
| ⌘ + + / – | Zoom in / out |
| ⌘ + 0 | Reset zoom to default |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + N | Open a private browsing window |
System Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + Space | Open Spotlight Search |
| ⌘ + , | Open preferences for the current app |
| ⌘ + ⌥ + Esc | Force Quit an unresponsive app |
| ⌃ + ⌘ + Q | Lock the screen |
| ⌃ + ⌘ + Power | Force restart the Mac |
| ⌘ + ⌥ + D | Show or hide the Dock |
| ⌘ + ⇧ + . | Show emoji picker |
Tip: Spotlight Search (⌘ + Space) is the fastest way to launch apps, find files, perform calculations, convert currencies, and search the web. If you only learn one shortcut on this list, make it this one.
How to Discover Shortcuts in Any App
Every Mac application shows its keyboard shortcuts in the menu bar. Click any menu (File, Edit, View, and so on) and look at the right side of each menu item. The symbols next to each command show you the keyboard shortcut.
This is the best way to learn shortcuts for specific apps you use frequently. Over time, you will naturally memorise the ones you use most.
You do not need to memorise every shortcut on this page. Start with the everyday essentials (⌘ + C, ⌘ + V, ⌘ + Tab, ⌘ + Space) and gradually add more as they become relevant to your workflow. Even learning a handful of new shortcuts can noticeably speed up the way you use your Mac.