Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
The most useful keyboard shortcuts for everyday tasks on Mac, Windows, and Linux
You do not need to memorize hundreds of shortcuts. These are the ones that cover the vast majority of daily use across every app. Once they are in your muscle memory, everything feels faster.
Copy, paste, and undo:
- Cmd + C – copy
- Cmd + X – cut
- Cmd + V – paste
- Cmd + Z – undo
- Shift + Cmd + Z – redo
- Cmd + A – select all
Find and save:
- Cmd + F – find in current app or page
- Cmd + S – save
- Cmd + P – print
App and window management:
- Cmd + Tab – switch between open apps
- Cmd + ` (backtick) – switch between windows of the same app
- Cmd + W – close the current tab or window
- Cmd + Q – quit the current app
- Cmd + H – hide the current app
- Cmd + M – minimize the current window
- Cmd + N – new window (in most apps)
- Cmd + T – new tab (in most apps)
System actions:
- Cmd + Space – open Spotlight search (find apps, files, do quick math)
- Cmd + Option + Esc – open Force Quit window (for frozen apps)
- Ctrl + Cmd + Q – lock your screen
- F3 or Ctrl + Up Arrow – Mission Control (see all open windows)
Screenshots:
- Shift + Cmd + 3 – screenshot the entire screen
- Shift + Cmd + 4 – screenshot a selected area
- Shift + Cmd + 5 – open screenshot and recording options
For more detail, see the screenshots and screen recording guide.
Text navigation:
- Option + Left/Right Arrow – move cursor one word at a time
- Cmd + Left/Right Arrow – jump to the beginning or end of the line
- Cmd + Up/Down Arrow – jump to the top or bottom of the document
- Shift + any arrow combo – select text while moving (for example, Shift + Option + Right Arrow selects the next word)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Mac and Windows use different modifier keys?▾
Mac uses Cmd (Command) as the primary modifier while Windows and Linux use Ctrl. This is a design decision from the original Macintosh in 1984. The Cmd key keeps shortcuts separate from terminal control sequences, where Ctrl has special meaning. In practice, most shortcuts are the same pattern, just swap Cmd for Ctrl.
Can I customize keyboard shortcuts?▾
Yes. On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts to remap system shortcuts, and many apps let you customize their shortcuts in preferences. On Windows, there is no single built-in shortcut editor for everything, but Microsoft PowerToys includes a Keyboard Manager that lets you remap keys and shortcuts. On Linux, check your desktop environment's settings (GNOME: Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts).
What is the equivalent of Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Mac?▾
The closest equivalent is Cmd + Option + Esc, which opens the Force Quit window where you can kill unresponsive apps. For a full restart of a frozen Mac, hold the power button for several seconds. There is no single shortcut that combines task management and system recovery the way Ctrl+Alt+Delete does on Windows.