Learn keyboard shortcuts by pressing them

Look up any shortcut in a second, then drill it with the real keys until your fingers know it.

532 shortcuts across 17 apps, checked against Microsoft, Apple, Google and Adobe documentation. Free, no sign-up.

Try it: everyday essentials

25 shortcuts on Windows · 8 prompts

Read the action, press the real keys. Combos your browser reserves switch to multiple choice. Misses come back sooner in your daily review.

The 20 shortcuts worth learning first

These work in almost every app on Windows. Learn them before any app-specific list.

  1. Copy and paste
  2. Cut
  3. Undo
  4. Redo
  5. Select all
  6. Find
  7. Save
  8. Print
  9. Paste without formatting
  10. Screenshot
  11. Switch windows (Alt+Tab)
  12. Lock screen
  13. Show desktop
  14. Task Manager
  15. Refresh
  16. New tab
  17. Reopen closed tab
  18. Close window
  19. Rename file
  20. Zoom in

What F1 to F12 do · Every app and quick answer

Choose an app to practise

All apps and quick answers

Shortcuts follow a grammar

Most shortcuts are not random. The letter is the verb (C for copy, T for tab, N for new), the primary modifier says “this is a command”, and Shift usually reverses or strengthens it. Once you see the pattern you can guess shortcuts you have never been taught.

Pick a letter, add Shift or Alt, and switch between Windows and Mac to see how the same idea maps across both keyboards.

Undo

Ctrl + a letter is the base verb. The letter is usually the command’s initial: Z is the exception, sitting next to X, C and V.

How practice turns into habit

  1. Press, don’t read. Each prompt names an action; you answer with your hands. Retrieval is what builds memory, which is why flashcards beat highlighting.
  2. Misses come back tomorrow. Every answer moves the shortcut between five review boxes. Right answers wait longer (1, 3, 7, 16, then 35 days), misses restart at one day.
  3. Five minutes a day. Open Daily review and clear what is due. See how the spacing works.

Questions

What are the 20 most useful keyboard shortcuts?

On Windows: copy Ctrl+C (paste Ctrl+V), cut Ctrl+X, undo Ctrl+Z, redo Ctrl+Y, select all Ctrl+A, find Ctrl+F, save Ctrl+S, print Ctrl+P, paste without formatting Ctrl+Shift+V, screenshot Win+Shift+S, switch windows Alt+Tab, lock Win+L, show desktop Win+D, Task Manager Ctrl+Shift+Esc, refresh F5, new tab Ctrl+T, reopen closed tab Ctrl+Shift+T, close window Alt+F4, rename F2 and zoom in Ctrl+=. On a Mac most swap Ctrl for Cmd; the list on this page shows every Mac version.

How do I learn keyboard shortcuts quickly?

Pick three to five shortcuts for things you already do many times a day, practise recalling them by pressing the keys rather than rereading a list, and review them again after one, three and seven days. Add new ones only when the first batch feels automatic.

What is the fastest way to learn keyboard shortcuts?

Learn a few at a time from the app you use most, practise recalling them by actually pressing the keys, and review them again after growing gaps of days. Recall practice with spacing beats rereading a cheat sheet.

Do I need an account?

No. Everything runs in your browser. Your progress and review schedule are saved in local storage on this device and can be cleared at any time on the privacy page.

Can I practise on a phone?

Yes. On touch screens the trainer switches to multiple choice, so you can review on the go and then use the real keys at your desk.

Why can some shortcuts not be pressed in the trainer?

Browsers and operating systems keep a few combinations for themselves, such as Ctrl+W (close tab) or Cmd+Q (quit). Those prompts switch to multiple choice automatically so you can still learn them.