When you are researching a topic, shopping online, or comparing software, you likely need to open dozens of websites at the same time. While you can always use your mouse to click the small “+” (Plus) icon at the top of the Google Chrome window to open a new tab, taking your hands off the keyboard slows you down.
If you want to browse the web like a power user, you should memorize the keyboard shortcut to open a new tab instantly.
The Shortcut to Open a New Tab
If you want to immediately spawn a blank, new tab in your current browser window, use this shortcut:
- On Windows, Linux, and Chromebooks: Press Ctrl + T
- On Mac: Press Cmd + T (Command + T)
As soon as you press this shortcut, Chrome will create a new tab and automatically place your cursor directly inside the URL address bar. This means you can immediately start typing your Google search or a website address without ever needing to touch your mouse or trackpad.
The Shortcut to Open a Link in a New Tab
The Ctrl+T shortcut opens a blank tab. However, what if you are reading an article and you see a hyperlink that you want to read, but you don’t want to lose your place on the current page?
You can force a hyperlink to open in a brand new background tab.
- On Windows, Linux, and Chromebooks: Press and hold the Ctrl key while you click the link.
- On Mac: Press and hold the Cmd key while you click the link.
The link will silently open in a new tab next to your current one, allowing you to finish reading your current article before clicking over to the new one.
How to Reopen a Closed Tab
One of the most frustrating things that can happen while browsing is accidentally clicking the ‘X’ and closing an important tab. Fortunately, Chrome has a specific keyboard shortcut that instantly resurrects the last tab you closed, complete with its browsing history.
- On Windows and Linux: Press Ctrl + Shift + T
- On Mac: Press Cmd + Shift + T
You can press this shortcut multiple times in a row to keep reopening older tabs in the exact order you closed them.
The Mouse Scroll Wheel Shortcut
Pro Tip: If you have a computer mouse with a scroll wheel, you don’t even need the keyboard to open links in a new tab. Simply hover over any hyperlink and click the scroll wheel down (like a button). This \”middle-click\” instantly opens the link in a background tab. You can also middle-click anywhere on an open tab at the top of the screen to instantly close it.