Mac keyboard shortcuts work by holding one or more modifier keys, usually Command, Shift, Option or Control, then pressing the last key: Command-C copies, Command-V pastes, Command-Z undoes and Command-Space bar opens Spotlight. On a keyboard made for Windows, press Alt instead of Option, and Ctrl or the Windows logo key instead of Command.
Here's what people miss. Every app can have its own shortcuts, so one that works in one app might not work in another. And the brightness and volume keys on the top row only act as F1, F2 and the rest when you hold Fn or the Globe key. Some power shortcuts also need a slightly longer press on purpose, so you don't trigger them by accident.
The everyday shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does, as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Command-X | Cut the selected item to the Clipboard |
| Command-C | Copy, including files in the Finder |
| Command-V | Paste, including files in the Finder |
| Command-Z | Undo; Shift-Command-Z redoes |
| Command-A | Select all |
| Command-F | Find items in a document or open a Find window |
| Command-S | Save the current document |
| Command-W | Close the front window; Option-Command-W closes all the app's windows |
| Command-Q | Quit the current app |
| Command-Tab | Switch to the next most recently used app |
| Command-Grave accent (`) | Switch between the windows of the app you're using |
| Option-Command-Esc | Force quit an app |
| Control-Command-Space bar or Fn-E | Open the Character Viewer for emoji and symbols |
| Space bar | Preview the selected item with Quick Look |
Command-H hides the front app, and Option-Command-H hides every other app instead. Command-M minimises the front window to the Dock. Command-Comma (,) opens the settings for whatever app you're in, which saves digging through menus. If an app has frozen, my guide to force quitting on Mac covers the other ways out.
Screenshots, Spotlight and the Fn key
Shift-Command-5 takes a screenshot or makes a screen recording in macOS Mojave or later, and Shift-Command-3 or Shift-Command-4 take screenshots. There's much more on those in my guide to screenshots on Mac. Command-Space bar shows or hides Spotlight, and if Siri AI (Beta) is turned on, you can start a conversation with Siri from the same search field.
| Fn or Globe shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fn-A | Show or hide the Dock |
| Fn-C | Show or hide Control Center |
| Fn-D | Start or stop dictation |
| Fn-N | Show or hide Notification Center |
| Fn-Q | Create a Quick Note |
| Fn-H or Fn-F11 | Show the desktop |
| Fn-Shift-A | Show Apps in macOS Tahoe 26 or later, or Launchpad in earlier versions |
| Fn-Fn | Open the Character Viewer |
With macOS 27 Golden Gate or later and Siri AI (Beta) turned on, Shift-Command-6 asks Siri about a selected area and Shift-Command-Space bar asks about the active window. Pressing Command twice opens or closes Type to Siri.
Finder shortcuts worth learning
| Shortcut | What it does in the Finder |
|---|---|
| Shift-Command-N | Create a new folder |
| Control-Command-N | Create a new folder containing the selected items |
| Command-D | Duplicate the selected files |
| Command-I | Show the Get Info window |
| Command-Delete | Move the selected item to the Trash |
| Shift-Command-G | Open a Go to Folder window |
| Option-Command-L | Open the Downloads folder |
| Shift-Command-R | Open the AirDrop window |
| Command-1, 2, 3 or 4 | View as icons, a list, columns or a gallery |
| Command-Up Arrow | Open the folder that contains the current folder |
| Option-Command-V | Move copied files to the current location instead of copying them |
That last one is how you move files from the keyboard: copy them with Command-C, then press Option-Command-V in the destination. Holding Option while you drag copies an item, and holding Option-Command while you drag makes an alias. Command-Y previews the selected files with Quick Look, just like the Space bar.
Text editing shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does in a document |
|---|---|
| Option-Delete | Delete the word to the left of the insertion point |
| Fn-Delete | Forward delete on keyboards without a Forward Delete key |
| Command-Left Arrow or Right Arrow | Jump to the start or end of the current line |
| Command-Up Arrow or Down Arrow | Jump to the start or end of the document |
| Option-Left Arrow or Right Arrow | Jump to the previous or next word |
| Shift plus any of the arrow shortcuts | Select the text as you move |
| Option-Shift-Command-V | Paste and Match Style |
| Control-Command-D | Show or hide the definition of the selected word |
| Command-K | Add a web link |
Paste and Match Style is the one I'd learn first if you copy text between documents, because the pasted text takes on the style of the content around it. Apple notes that these text shortcuts can behave differently depending on the app you're using.
Lock, sleep and shut down
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Control-Command-Q | Lock your screen |
| Shift-Command-Q | Log out after confirming; Option-Shift-Command-Q skips the confirmation |
| Press and hold the power button | Force the Mac to turn off when it isn't responding |
| Press the power button on a Touch ID keyboard | Lock your screen |
| Option-Command-Power button | Put the Mac to sleep |
| Control-Command-Power button | Force a restart without prompting you to save, on keyboards without Touch ID |
Be careful with Control-Command-Power button, because it restarts without asking you to save open documents. Holding Option while you choose Log Out, Shut Down or Restart from the Apple menu skips the confirmation dialog.
Making the shortcuts fit you
If Command-Space bar switches your keyboard language instead of opening Spotlight, that's because some macOS versions use it to change input sources when you type in more than one language, and Apple lets you change a conflicting shortcut. Some focus and accessibility shortcuts, such as Control-F2 to move focus to the menu bar, have to be switched on first. As of October 2026, choose System Settings from the Apple menu, click Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts. And click the Go menu in the Finder to see the shortcuts for Applications, Documents, Downloads, Utilities and iCloud Drive.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
My verdict on Mac keyboard shortcuts
I'd learn five first: Command-Space bar for Spotlight, Command-Tab to switch apps, Option-Command-Esc to force quit, Shift-Command-5 for screenshots and Control-Command-Q to lock the screen when you walk away from your desk. Add the Finder ones once those are habit. Skip memorising the whole list, because menus show the shortcut next to each command and you'll pick them up as you go.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Option key on a Windows keyboard?
On a keyboard made for Windows PCs, press Alt instead of Option, and Ctrl or the Windows logo key instead of Command.
How do I force quit on a Mac with the keyboard?
Press Option-Command-Esc to force quit an app.
How do I lock my Mac with a shortcut?
Press Control-Command-Q. On keyboards with Touch ID, pressing Touch ID also locks your screen.
How do I type emoji on a Mac?
Press Control-Command-Space bar or Fn-E to open the Character Viewer, where you can choose emoji and other symbols.
Why don't my F1 and F2 keys work on a Mac?
On many Apple keyboards the top row controls brightness, Mission Control and more. Hold Fn or the Globe key to use them as standard function keys.
