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There is no official total for how many Mac keyboard shortcuts exist, so there is no definitive score for “how many do you know?” A better test is whether you know the shortcuts that save time in everyday tasks—and how to find the commands specific to the app you are using.
Use this task-based macOS cheat sheet to learn the essentials, then check the active app’s menus for shortcuts that vary. Apple’s full reference is Mac keyboard shortcuts.
How to read Mac keyboard shortcuts
A shortcut combines one or more modifier keys with a final key. Hold the modifier key or keys down while pressing the final key. Apple’s common symbols are:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- ⌘ Command
- ⇧ Shift
- ⌥ Option
- ⌃ Control
For example, Command-C means hold Command and press C. The exact result can depend on the app, keyboard layout, and language.
#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.
Everyday editing shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Copy | Command-C |
| Cut | Command-X |
| Paste | Command-V |
| Undo | Command-Z |
| Redo | Shift-Command-Z |
| Select all | Command-A |
| Save | Command-S |
| Find | Command-F |
These are useful starting points, but an app may handle a command differently or omit it. Check its menus when a shortcut does not behave as expected.
Move around macOS and manage windows
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Switch to another open app | Command-Tab |
| Close the current window or tab | Command-W |
| Quit the current app | Command-Q |
| Open Spotlight search | Command-Space |
Closing a window with Command-W is different from quitting its app with Command-Q. An app may remain open with no window on screen.
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.
Finder and file shortcuts
Finder includes shortcuts for common file tasks. These combinations are useful to know, but confirm them in Finder’s menus if your keyboard layout or macOS configuration differs.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Create a new folder | Shift-Command-N |
| Duplicate the selected item | Command-D |
| Show Get Info for a selected item | Command-I |
| Search in Finder | Command-F |
| Eject a selected volume | Command-E |
Take screenshots or record the screen
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Capture the entire screen | Shift-Command-3 |
| Capture a selected area | Shift-Command-4 |
| Open Screenshot controls | Shift-Command-5 |
With Shift-Command-4, the pointer becomes a crosshair. Drag to select an area; press Space while dragging to move the selection, or press Esc to cancel. Add Control to a screenshot shortcut to copy the capture to the clipboard instead of saving it as a file.
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.
Shift-Command-5 opens controls for screenshots and screen recordings on macOS Mojave 10.14 or later. Options include a timer, save location, floating thumbnail, and whether to show the pointer. Screenshots go to the desktop by default unless you choose another save location. On supported Mac models running macOS Tahoe 26 or later, the Screenshot guide also describes SDR/PNG and HDR/HEIF capture format choices. See Apple’s Take a screenshot on Mac guide for details.
Lock the screen and end a session carefully
- Lock the screen: Control-Command-Q.
- Log out: Shift-Command-Q. macOS may ask you to confirm.
Before logging out or using any command that may close apps, save your work. Unsaved changes can be lost if an app closes without preserving them.
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
Find and customize shortcuts in your apps
Apple Support notes that “Every app can have its own shortcuts, and shortcuts that work in one app might not work in another.” Menus are the quickest way to check: a shortcut, when available, appears beside its menu command. For keyboard-layout differences, Apple recommends using Keyboard Viewer to see the current input source.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Choose a category or app-specific shortcut section and edit a supported shortcut.
If the combination you assign is already used elsewhere, the conflict can prevent the new shortcut from working. Test the change in the app where you expect to use it, and check its menus or official user guide for app-specific commands. Apple’s Use macOS keyboard shortcuts guide explains how to find and change supported shortcuts.
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.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
