In computing, a keyboard shortcut is a sequence or combination of keystrokes on a computer keyboard which invokes commands in software. Most keyboard shortcuts require the user to press a single key or a sequence of keys one after the other. Other keyboard shortcuts require pressing and holding several keys simultaneously (indicated in the tables below by the sign). Keyboard shortcuts may depend on the keyboard layout.

Comparison of keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are a common aspect of most modern operating systems and associated software applications. Their use is pervasive enough that some users consider them an important element of their routine interactions with a computer. Whether used as a matter of personal preference or for adaptive technology, the pervasiveness of common conventions means that a meaningful comparison of keyboard shortcuts can be made across various widely used operating systems.

General shortcuts

Many shortcuts (such as, , etc.) are just common conventions and are not handled by the operating system. Whether such commands are implemented (or not) depends on how an actual application program (such as an editor) is written and the frameworks used. Not all applications/frameworks follow (all of) these conventions, so if it doesn't work, it isn't compatible. Some of the combinations are not true for localized versions of operating systems. For example, in a non-English version of Windows, the Edit menu is not always bound to the shortcut. Some software (such as KDE) allow their shortcuts to be changed, and the below list contains the defaults.

System navigation

Power management

Screenshots

Text editing

Many of these commands may be combined with to select a region of text. In macOS, holding while dragging mouse can be used to invert selection, and holding can be used to select by rectangular area in some apps. (These two functionalities may be combined). In macOS, the default text editing keyboard shortcuts in Cocoa text views can be overridden and new custom shortcuts can be created, by creating and editing related configuration files.

Text formatting

Browsers / Go menu

Web browsers

Tab management

Window management

User interface navigation (widgets and controls)

Command line shortcuts

Below is a list of common keyboard shortcuts that are used in a command line environment. Bash and Z shell keybindings are derived from Emacs text editing bindings.

Accessibility