---
title: "Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Cheatsheet | FindUtils"
description: "Find Mac shortcuts for text, applications, Finder, screenshots, and system tools. Check Command, Option, Control, and Shift key differences."
url: https://findutils.com/cheatsheets/mac-shortcuts/
---

# Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Cheatsheet

Find Mac shortcuts for text, applications, Finder, screenshots, and system tools. Check Command, Option, Control, and Shift key differences. 37 shortcuts in 7 sections, filed under [Shortcuts & Productivity](https://findutils.com/cheatsheets/shortcuts/).

## Before you use the keys

- `Command, Option, Control, Shift`: These are separate Mac modifier keys
- `Command = ⌘; Option = ⌥`: Use the Mac labels or symbols on the keyboard
- `Control = ⌃; Shift = ⇧`: Control is not the same key as Command
- `App and keyboard differences`: Menu commands show the shortcuts that apply in the current app

## Edit and find text

- `Command + C`: Copy the selection
- `Command + X`: Cut the selection where the app supports it
- `Command + V`: Paste clipboard content
- `Command + Z`: Undo the previous action
- `Shift + Command + Z`: Redo an action in apps that support this assignment
- `Command + A`: Select all items or text in the current context
- `Command + F`: Find text or open a search

## Move through text

- `Option + Left / Right`: Move the cursor by one word
- `Command + Left / Right`: Move to the start or end of the current line
- `Command + Up / Down`: Move to the start or end of the document
- `Shift + Option + Left / Right`: Extend the selection by one word
- `Option + Delete`: Delete the word to the left of the cursor

## Control applications

- `Command + Tab`: Switch to the next open app
- `Command + M`: Minimize the current window
- `Command + H`: Hide the current app windows
- `Command + Q`: Quit the app; check unsaved work first
- `Command + W`: Close the current window or tab
- `Control + Command + Q`: Lock the screen

## Work in Finder

- `Shift + Command + N`: Create a folder
- `Command + Down`: Open the selected item
- `Command + Up`: Open the folder that contains the current folder
- `Space`: Preview the selected item with Quick Look
- `Command + I`: Show information about the selected item
- `Return`: Rename the selected item

## Capture and system tools

- `Shift + Command + 3`: Capture the full screen
- `Shift + Command + 4`: Select an area for a screenshot
- `Shift + Command + 5`: Open screenshot and screen recording controls
- `Command + Space`: Open Spotlight when this shortcut uses the default assignment
- `Control + Command + Space`: Open the Character Viewer

## Sources and related references

- `https://support.apple.com/en-us/102650`: Check the Apple Mac keyboard shortcut reference
- `/cheatsheets/windows-shortcuts/`: Find the Windows 11 keyboard reference
- `/cheatsheets/browser-shortcuts/`: Find Chrome shortcuts for Mac and Windows
- `/cheatsheets/everyday-file-formats/`: Choose a file format for your task

## Related

- Cheatsheet: [Spreadsheet Formulas](https://findutils.com/cheatsheets/spreadsheet-formulas/)
- Cheatsheet: [Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts](https://findutils.com/cheatsheets/windows-shortcuts/)
- Cheatsheet: [Chrome Browser Shortcuts](https://findutils.com/cheatsheets/browser-shortcuts/)
- Guide: [Move Windows Internet Shortcuts to a Mac](https://findutils.com/guides/url-to-webloc/)
- Guide: [Move Mac Website Shortcuts to a Windows PC](https://findutils.com/guides/webloc-to-url/)
- Guide: [ICNS to PNG: Extract Mac App Icons and Available Sizes](https://findutils.com/guides/icns-to-png/)
- Tool: [Keyboard Shortcut Finder](https://findutils.com/productivity/keyboard-shortcut-finder/)
- Tool: [Emoji Finder](https://findutils.com/generate/emoji-finder/)
- Tool: [HTML Entity Finder](https://findutils.com/developers/html-entity-finder/)