There is no published definitive total for Mac keyboard shortcuts, and no verified statistic for how many people know them. But a handful of commands can make everyday work faster. Use this cheat sheet to test what you know, learn useful shortcuts, and find commands specific to the apps you use.
How to read Mac keyboard shortcuts
A shortcut combines one or more modifier keys with a final key. Hold the modifier keys down while pressing the final key. Apple’s common symbols are Command (⌘), Shift (⇧), Option (⌥), and Control (⌃). For example, ⌘C means hold Command and press C.
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Apple’s Mac keyboard shortcuts reference is extensive, but this task-based list focuses on commands that are easy to reach for often.
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Everyday editing shortcuts
| Task | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Copy selected text or an item | ⌘C |
| Paste | ⌘V |
| Cut selected text or an item | ⌘X |
| Undo the previous action | ⌘Z |
| Redo | ⇧⌘Z |
| Select all | ⌘A |
| Save the current document | ⌘S |
| Find text or an item | ⌘F |
These are common conventions, not a promise that every app supports every command. If a shortcut does nothing or behaves differently, check the active app’s menus.
#1 Best Overall
- WIRELESS, RECHARGEABLE CONVENIENCE — Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad connects wirelessly to your Mac, iPad, or iPhone via Bluetooth. And the rechargeable internal battery means no loose batteries to replace.
- WORKS WITH MAC, IPAD, OR IPHONE — It pairs quickly with your device so you can get to work right away.
- ENHANCED TYPING EXPERIENCE — Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience. Its extended layout features document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys. The numeric keypad is ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- GO WEEKS WITHOUT CHARGING — The incredibly long-lasting internal battery will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges. (Battery life varies by use.) Comes with a Lightning to USB Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB port on your Mac.
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS — Requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac with macOS 10.12.4 or later, an iPad with iPadOS 13.4 or later, or an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 10.3 or later.
Move around macOS and manage windows
| Task | Shortcut | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Open Spotlight search | ⌘Space | Search for apps, files, and other items. |
| Switch between open apps | ⌘Tab | Cycle through apps that are open. |
| Close a window or tab | ⌘W | Closes the active window or tab; it does not usually quit the app. |
| Quit the active app | ⌘Q | Quits the app. Save work first if needed. |
To switch between windows within an app, look in that app’s Window menu: the available command and shortcut can depend on the app and keyboard layout.
Finder shortcuts for files and folders
In Finder, shortcuts can speed up common file-management tasks. These commands are context-sensitive: select the relevant item first, and check Finder’s menus if a combination is unavailable on your setup.
Rank #2
- Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It’s also wireless and rechargeable, with an incredibly long-lasting internal battery that’ll power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
- It pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.
- It features a USB-C port and includes a woven USB-C Charge Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB-C port on your Mac.
- New folder: ⇧⌘N.
- Duplicate a selected item: ⌘D.
- Show Get Info for a selected item: ⌘I.
- Search: ⌘F.
- Eject a selected volume: ⌘E.
Take screenshots with keyboard shortcuts
| Task | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Capture the entire screen | ⇧⌘3 |
| Capture a selected area | ⇧⌘4 |
| Open Screenshot controls | ⇧⌘5 |
With ⇧⌘4, the pointer becomes a crosshair for selecting an area. While dragging, press Space to move the selection; press Esc to cancel. The Screenshot controls opened by ⇧⌘5 provide options such as a timer, save location, floating thumbnail, and pointer visibility. In macOS Mojave 10.14 or later, ⇧⌘5 can also be used for screen recordings, according to Apple’s screenshot guide.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchScreenshots go to the desktop by default unless you choose a different save location. Add Control to a screenshot shortcut to copy the capture to the clipboard instead. On supported Mac models running macOS Tahoe 26 or later, Apple’s guide describes SDR/PNG and HDR/HEIF capture format choices.
Rank #3
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
Lock your Mac or log out carefully
Use the lock-screen command when you want to secure your Mac without signing out. Logging out is different: it can close apps and may affect unsaved work, so save documents before using a log-out shortcut. Exact system and power-button combinations can depend on the Mac model and keyboard; for device-specific commands, consult Apple’s current shortcut reference rather than assuming a key combination applies to every Mac.
Find shortcuts in the app you are using
Shortcuts are not universal. Apple Support says, “Every app can have its own shortcuts, and shortcuts that work in one app might not work in another.” A command can also vary with language and keyboard layout.
Rank #4
- Ultra Thin Wired Keyboard: Constructed with aluminum backing, the slim keyboard's height is less than that of a penny.
- Broad Compatibility: Able to work with Apple and compatible with Windows PC operating systems
- Full Sized Extended Keyboard: Easy access to media with 20 Apple shortcut keys (cut/copy/paste, iTunes control, Volume up/down, etc.) and multimedia shortcuts for Windows PC. Also, contains a ten-key numeric keypad for easy data entry.
- Plug and Play (No Drivers Required): No need to continually change or recharge batteries of wireless keyboards
- Long Cord: 4'7" (140 cm) USB cable to connect your external keyboard to the computer
- Open the active app’s menus and look beside commands; when a shortcut is available, it appears next to the menu item.
- If a key combination seems wrong for your input source, use Keyboard Viewer to check the current keyboard layout.
- For app-specific commands, consult that app’s official user guide or help menu.
Apple’s Use macOS keyboard shortcuts guide explains how to change supported shortcuts. Open System Settings, choose Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts. You can customize supported system commands and create app-specific shortcuts. A new assignment can conflict with an existing combination, so test it in the intended app and choose another key combination if it does not work.
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Without looking back, can you name the shortcut for copying, undoing, saving, switching apps, and capturing a selected screen area? If you missed one, try it in the relevant app and use its menus to confirm what your Mac supports. Learning a small set you use every day is more useful than memorizing an imagined grand total.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
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