Gmail keyboard shortcuts
Most Gmail shortcuts are single letters, so they only work after you switch them on: Settings > See all settings > General > Keyboard shortcuts on. They are identical on Windows and Mac except for sending, which uses Cmd on a Mac.
Most-used Gmail shortcuts
- Compose new messageC
- ReplyR
- Archive conversationE
- Delete conversationShift3
- Search mail/
- Newer / older conversationK
Practise Gmail shortcuts
Read the action, press the real keys. Combos your browser reserves switch to multiple choice. Misses come back sooner in your daily review.
Gmail shortcut cheat sheet
19 shortcutsTap an action to copy its keys
Compose
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Compose new message | C | C |
| Reply | R | R |
| Reply all | A | A |
| Forward | F | F |
| Send message | CtrlEnter | ⌘cmd↩return |
Triage
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Archive conversation | E | E |
| Delete conversationThe # key on US layouts | Shift3 | ⇧shift3 |
| Select conversation | X | X |
| Star or unstar | S | S |
| Mark as read | ShiftI | ⇧shiftI |
| Mark as unread | ShiftU | ⇧shiftU |
| Undo last action | Z | Z |
| Mute conversation | M | M |
Navigate
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Search mail | / | / |
| Newer / older conversationJ moves to the older one | K | K |
| Go to Inbox | GI | GI |
| Go to Sent | GT | GT |
| Go to Drafts | GD | GD |
| Show keyboard shortcut helpThe ? key | Shift/ | ⇧shift/ |
Source: Gmail Help: Keyboard shortcuts for Gmail. Defaults for the current version as documented by Google; custom keymaps and non-US keyboard layouts can differ.
Can't find it? Ask about Gmail
Type a task in plain words and get the shortcut for Windows, with a note if the app lacks one.
Gmail shortcut questions
Why are Gmail keyboard shortcuts not working?
Letter shortcuts are off by default. Open Settings > See all settings > General, set Keyboard shortcuts to on, and save changes at the bottom of the page.
Also practise: Windows · Mac · Google Sheets · Google Docs · Chrome