Essential macOS keyboard shortcuts

The must-know macOS shortcuts: Finder, screenshots, Spotlight, window and Space management.

Free Updated on September 11, 2026

General

Shortcut	Action
`⌘` + `,`	Open the active app's preferences
`⌘` + `Q`	Quit the app (different from closing the window with `⌘` + `W`)
`⌥` + click on Wi-Fi/volume	Advanced options in the menu bar
`⌘` + `⇧` + `Q`	Log out
`fn` + `E`	Emoji and symbols
`⌘` + click a link	Open in a new background tab

Shortcut	Action
`⌘` + `←` / `→`	Jump to the start / end of the line
`⌥` + `←` / `→`	Jump one word at a time
`⌘` + `⌦`	Delete to the start of the line
`⌃` + `A` / `E`	Start / end of line (Emacs-style, works almost everywhere)
`⌘` + `Return`	Confirm a dialog box

Shortcut	Action
`⇧` + `⌘` + `2` then `Space`	Preview before capturing (toolbar)
`Ctrl` + `⇧` + `⌘` + `3/4`	Copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving it
`⌘` + `⇧` + `4` then `Space`	Capture a specific window

Holding ⌥ (Option) while resizing a window with the mouse resizes it symmetrically from its centre instead of from one edge.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between ⌘Q and ⌘W?

⌘W closes the active window (the app can stay open, especially on Mac where closing the last window doesn't quit the app); ⌘Q quits the app entirely.

How do I see all of an app's shortcuts?

Open its menu bar and look to the right of each command: the associated shortcut is always shown there if one exists.