command lab

Photoshop Shortcut Practice

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Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts: Full List (95 shortcuts)

Every Photoshop keyboard shortcut used in the practice above, listed in full. Each row shows the Windows and Mac keys plus a short explanation of what the shortcut does. Find one you want to learn, then drill it above until your fingers remember it.

Tool switching

Photoshop — Tool switching
Action Windows Mac What it does
Switch to move tool v v Switches to the tool for moving layer content or selected pixels. Drag to reposition an object; you can also summon it temporarily while using another tool by holding Ctrl (Cmd on Mac).
Switch to rectangle selection tool m m Switches to the tool for drawing a rectangular selection. Use it to mark a square or rectangular area you want to crop or apply color adjustments to.
Switch to Lasso Tool l l Switches to the tool for drawing a freehand selection that follows the mouse movement. Use it to roughly trace an outline or select an area that isn't rectangular.
Switch to Quick Select Tool w w Switches to the tool that automatically detects and selects areas with similar color and texture to where you drag. Handy for quickly cutting out a subject when the edge against the background is clear.
Switch to crop tool c c Switches to the tool for trimming away unwanted parts of an image and changing the canvas size itself. Use it to tighten a composition or remove excess margin.
Switch to eyedropper tool i i Switches to the tool for picking (sampling) any color within the image. Use it to extract a color from an existing photo or illustration and set it as the foreground color.
Switch to the Spot Healing Brush tool j j Switches to the tool that automatically repairs blemishes or dust in the area you click or drag, blending them with the surrounding texture. Use it to quickly remove small flaws like skin marks or dust spots.
Switch to brush tool b b Switches to the tool for freely drawing lines and fills with the foreground color. Used in a wide range of situations, from coloring illustrations and retouching photos to hand-editing masks.
Switch to the Clone Stamp tool s s Switches to the tool that samples part of an image and paints it exactly onto another area. Use it to duplicate part of the background to hide an unwanted object.
Switch to History Brush tool y y Switches to the tool that paints the state of a specified point in the history back onto the area you brush over. Use it to restore just a part of an edited image to an earlier state.
Switch to eraser tool e e Switches to the tool for erasing pixels where you drag. On the background layer it paints over with the background color; on a normal layer it erases to transparency.
Switch to Gradient Tool g g Switches to the tool for drawing a gradient that blends colors smoothly along the direction you drag. Use it to add depth to a background or create natural transitions with masks.
Switch to dodge tool o o Switches to the tool for lightening the area you drag over. Use it to selectively lift dark areas of a photo and emphasize highlights.
Switch to pen tool p p Switches to the tool for creating precise paths by clicking to place and connect anchor points. Used for cutting out smooth outlines and creating shapes or logos.
Switch to horizontal text tool t t Switches to the tool for typing text horizontally. Use it to add text to banners or thumbnails.
Switch to path component selection tool a a Switches to the tool for selecting an entire path to move or transform it. Use it to adjust the position or size of a path drawn with the Pen tool as a whole.
Switch to rectangle tool u u Switches to the tool for drawing a vector rectangle shape. Use it to create graphic parts like buttons or borders that don't degrade when scaled.
Switch to Hand Tool h h Switches to the tool for scrolling the canvas view by dragging. Use it to check a different part of the image while zoomed in.
Switch to rotate view tool r r Switches to the tool for rotating the on-screen view of the canvas itself. Use it to rotate the view to an angle that's easier to draw at for freehand or detail work (the image data itself is not rotated).
Switch to zoom tool z z Switches to the tool for magnifying the area you click or drag over. Use it when you need to check fine details while working.

Layer operations

Photoshop — Layer operations
Action Windows Mac What it does
Toggle transparent pixel lock / / Toggles a lock that protects the transparent areas of a layer, so painting and edits only affect pixels that already have color. Use it when you want to repaint without spilling outside an existing shape's edges.
Group layers Ctrl+G ⌘+G Bundles the selected layers into a single folder. Use it to tidy up the Layers panel or to show, move, or change the opacity of several layers together as a unit.
Ungroup layers Ctrl+Shift+G ⌘+⇧+G Dissolves a grouped layer folder back into its original individual layers. Use it when you need to handle the layers inside a group separately again.
Hide layers Ctrl+, ⌘+, Turns off visibility for the selected layer. Use it to temporarily hide a layer while working so you can compare it against others.
Show Layer Ctrl+, ⌘+, Makes a hidden layer visible again. Use it to restore the display after comparing it against other layers.
Send selected layer to back Ctrl+[ ⌘+[ Moves the selected layer to the very bottom of the Layers panel stack. Use it to adjust the stacking order so the layer sits behind everything else.
Bring selected layer to front Ctrl+] ⌘+] Moves the selected layer to the very top of the Layers panel stack. Use it when you want it displayed in front of all other layers.
Lock Layer Ctrl+/ ⌘+/ Locks the selected layer so its position or content can't be edited. Use it when there's an element you don't want to accidentally move or overwrite.
Unlock layers Ctrl+/ ⌘+/ Returns a locked layer to an editable state. Use it when you need to move or edit an element that had been locked in place again.
Combine layers Ctrl+E ⌘+E Merges the selected multiple layers into a single layer. Use it once you're done editing several elements and want to consolidate them to make the file lighter.
Merge display layers Ctrl+Shift+E ⌘+⇧+E Merges all currently visible layers into a single layer (hidden layers are left untouched). Use it when you want to treat the finished result as one flattened image.
Select all layers Alt+Ctrl+A ⌘+⌥+Å Selects every layer in the Layers panel at once. Use it when you want to move or merge all layers together.
Search Layer Alt+Shift+Ctrl+F ⌘+⌥+⇧+Ï Uses the Layers panel's search feature to filter layers by name or type. Handy for quickly locating the layer you need in a file with many layers.

Handy to know

Photoshop — Handy to know
Action Windows Mac What it does
Restore default drawing color and background color d d Resets the foreground color to black and the background color to white, the default state. Use it when you want to reset your color settings.
Swap drawing color and background color x x Swaps the current foreground and background colors. Use it to reverse a gradient's direction or to paint with the background color via the eraser.
Switch to quick mask mode q q Switches to a mode that displays the selection as a translucent red mask you can edit by painting with a brush. Use it to intuitively fine-tune selection edges with the brush.
Switch to image drawing mode (return from quick mask mode) q q Exits Quick Mask mode, converting the painted area into a normal selection and returning to standard editing. Use it once you've finished shaping the mask with the brush and want to use it as a selection.
Reduce brush size [ [ Shrinks the diameter of the currently active brush a step at a time. Use it when you need to paint fine details.
Increase brush size ] ] Enlarges the diameter of the currently active brush a step at a time. Use it when you want to paint a wide area quickly.
Reduces brush hardness Shift+{ ⇧+{ Softens the brush edge, making its outline blurrier. Use it when you want a boundary to blend naturally.
Increased brush hardness Shift+} ⇧+} Hardens the brush edge, making its outline crisper. Use it when you want a clearly defined boundary between areas.
Undo Ctrl+Z ⌘+Z Undoes the single most recent action. Use it to immediately reverse a mistake.
Go back one step in history Alt+Ctrl+Z ⌘+⌥+Ω Steps the History panel back one recorded state. Use it to go back through multiple past actions to check or correct earlier work.
Take history one step Ctrl+Shift+Z ⌘+⇧+Z Redoes one step of an action you had undone. Use it when you've stepped back too far and want to reapply a change.
cut Ctrl+X ⌘+X Cuts the content of the selection, copying it to the clipboard and removing it from its original location. Use it when you want to move something to a different layer or image.
copy Ctrl+C ⌘+C Copies the content of the selection to the clipboard. The original content remains untouched.
Copy the combined part (copy the whole visible part) Ctrl+Shift+C ⌘+⇧+C Copies the visible content of all layers within the selection to the clipboard as a single flattened image. Use it when you want to paste the combined look of multiple layers elsewhere as-is.
paste Ctrl+V ⌘+V Pastes the content copied to the clipboard as a new layer. Use it to place cut or copied content somewhere else.
Special paste (paste within selection) Ctrl+Shift+V ⌘+⇧+V Pastes the clipboard content so it's confined within the current selection (the selection becomes a mask). Use it when you want the pasted image to show only inside a specific area.
Inversion of gradation Ctrl+I ⌘+I Inverts the brightness and colors of the selection or layer, giving it a photo-negative look. Use it to convert an image to a negative or create a special effect.
Open image resolution Alt+Ctrl+I ⌘+⌥+i Opens the dialog for changing the image's width, height, and resolution. Use it to resize an image for print or lighten it for the web.
Open canvas size Alt+Ctrl+C ⌘+⌥+Ç Opens the dialog for changing the size of the workspace (canvas) itself. Use it to add or remove margin around the image without resizing the image content.
Make a layer with the selected area copied Ctrl+J ⌘+J Copies the content of the selection and duplicates it as a new layer. Use it when you want to edit just the selected part independently while leaving the original layer intact.
Create clipping mask Alt+Ctrl+G ⌘+⌥+© Masks the selected layer using the shape of the layer directly beneath it (it becomes visible only within that layer's opaque area). Use it to fit an image into the shape of text or a graphic.
Remove clipping mask Alt+Ctrl+G ⌘+⌥+© Releases a clipping mask, returning the layer to normal, unrestricted display. Use it when you want to remove the mask's restriction and show the whole image again.
[Selection range] Select all selection range Ctrl+A ⌘+A Makes the entire canvas the selection. Use it when you want to copy the whole image or apply an effect to all of it.
[Selection range] Cancel selection Ctrl+D ⌘+D Cancels the current selection, returning to a state with nothing selected. Use it when you want editing to apply to the whole image again instead of a limited area.
[Selection range] Reselection Ctrl+Shift+D ⌘+⇧+D Recalls the selection you most recently deselected. Use it when you've cleared a selection but then want to work on the same area again.
[Selection range] Invert selection range Ctrl+Shift+I ⌘+⇧+I Swaps the current selection with everything outside it. Use it, for example, after selecting a subject when you want to edit only the background instead.
Zoom out Ctrl+- ⌘+- Reduces the zoom level by one step, shrinking the displayed image. Use it when you want to check the overall balance of the composition.
Zoom in Ctrl+; ⌘+; Increases the zoom level by one step, enlarging the displayed image. Use it when you need to check or edit fine details.
Fit to screen size Ctrl+0 ⌘+0 Automatically adjusts the zoom level so the whole image fits neatly within the window. Use it when you want to grasp the overall picture at a glance.
Show Extras Ctrl+H ⌘+H Shows guide lines, grids, paths, and other on-screen aids all at once. Use it when you want to check alignment references.
Hide extras Ctrl+H ⌘+H Hides guide lines, grids, and other on-screen aids all at once. Use it when you want to preview the finished look without the reference lines.
Open file Ctrl+O ⌘+O Displays a dialog for selecting and opening a saved image file. This is usually the first thing you do when you want to edit an existing file.
overwrite save Ctrl+S ⌘+S Saves the file currently being edited over itself, keeping the same name and format. Use it to save your progress frequently as you work.
Save as Ctrl+Shift+S ⌘+⇧+S Opens the dialog for saving the current file as a separate file with a new name or format. Use it when you want to create another version while keeping the original file intact.
Save for web Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S ⌘+⌥+⇧+Í Opens the dialog for exporting the image in a file format and compression level suited for the web. Use it to make an image lighter before publishing it on a website.

Color adjustments

Photoshop — Color adjustments
Action Windows Mac What it does
Open color settings Ctrl+Shift+K ⌘+⇧+K Opens the dialog for configuring the working color space and color management settings. Use it when you want colors to appear consistent across printing or other environments.
Open level correction Ctrl+L ⌘+L Opens the dialog for adjusting brightness and contrast while viewing the histogram. Use it when you want to fine-tune the tonal range of shadows and highlights.
Open tone curve Ctrl+M ⌘+M Opens the dialog for adjusting brightness and contrast by manipulating a curve. Use it when you want to target a specific tonal range precisely.
Open Hue/Saturation Ctrl+U ⌘+U Opens the dialog for adjusting hue, saturation, and lightness across the whole image or a specific color range. Use it to shift a color's tone or adjust its vividness.
Open color balance Ctrl+B ⌘+B Opens the dialog for adjusting color tones separately in shadows, midtones, and highlights. Use it to correct an overall color cast in a photo.
Open black and white Alt+Shift+Ctrl+B ⌘+⌥+⇧+I Opens the dialog for converting a color image to black and white while adjusting the brightness contribution of each color individually. Use it when you want a richer tonal black-and-white result than a simple grayscale conversion.
Desaturate Ctrl+Shift+U ⌘+⇧+U Minimizes the color vividness of the selection or layer, bringing it close to grayscale. Use it when you want a quick monochrome-style look.
Automatic tone correction Ctrl+Shift+L ⌘+⇧+L Automatically analyzes and adjusts the image's brightness and contrast. Use it when you want a quick, rough correction.
Auto contrast Alt+Shift+Ctrl+L ⌘+⌥+⇧+Ò Automatically analyzes and adjusts the contrast across the whole image. Use it to add punch to an image that looks flat with weak tonal contrast.
Automatic color correction Ctrl+Shift+B ⌘+⇧+B Automatically analyzes and corrects color casts and saturation in the image. Use it when you want a quick color balance fix.

Advanced

Photoshop — Advanced
Action Windows Mac What it does
Search Ctrl+F ⌘+F Runs a keyword search across Photoshop's menus, tools, help content, and more. Use it when you can't remember where a feature you want is located.
Fade (weak the effect of the last filter, etc.) Ctrl+Shift+F ⌘+⇧+F Opens the dialog for toning down the effect of the last applied filter or paint operation by setting opacity and blend mode. Use it when an effect feels too strong.
Scale according to content Alt+Shift+Ctrl+C ⌘+⌥+⇧+Ç Resizes the image by preferentially stretching or compressing the background while preserving the main subject. Use it when you want to change an image's aspect ratio without distorting people or objects.
Selection and mask Alt+Ctrl+R ⌘+⌥+® Opens a dedicated workspace for finely refining selections with complex edges, such as hair or fur. Use it when you need to cut out a boundary with high precision.
Show target path Ctrl+Shift+H ⌘+⇧+H Shows the path selected in the Paths panel on the canvas. Use it when you want to check the shape of a path created with the Pen tool.
Hide target path Ctrl+Shift+H ⌘+⇧+H Hides the path currently shown on the canvas. Use it when you want to hide the path lines to preview the finished result.
Show Ruler Ctrl+R ⌘+R Displays rulers along the top and left of the canvas. Used as a reference for drawing guide lines or checking an object's size.
Hide ruler Ctrl+R ⌘+R Hides the rulers that were being displayed. Use it when you want to clean up the workspace view.
Print Ctrl+P ⌘+P Opens the print settings dialog. Use it when you want to specify paper size and printer and output the image.
Rerun filter Alt+Ctrl+F ⌘+⌃+F Reapplies the most recently used filter with the same settings. Use it when you want to apply the same effect again to a different layer or area.
Open Camera Raw Filter Ctrl+Shift+A ⌘+⇧+A Opens the dialog for applying RAW-development-style adjustments as a filter to a regular image layer. Use it to intuitively adjust exposure, white balance, and similar settings.
Open lens correction Ctrl+Shift+R ⌘+⇧+R Opens the dialog for correcting lens distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration. Use it to straighten out the distortion in a photo shot with a wide-angle lens.
Open the distortion Ctrl+Shift+X ⌘+⇧+X Opens the filter for freely warping parts of an image by pushing or pulling with a brush. Use it to reshape a person's outline or exaggerate an expression.
Open Vanishing Point Alt+Ctrl+√ ⌘+⌥+√ Opens the feature that detects perspective planes (vanishing points) in an image, letting you retouch or copy content along those surfaces. Use it to naturally composite a pattern onto a surface with depth, like a building wall.
Open Preferences Ctrl+K ⌘+K Opens the dialog for customizing Photoshop's overall behavior, including units, performance, and cursor display. Use it when you want to tailor the settings to your own workflow.
Open keyboard shortcut Alt+Shift+Ctrl+ ⌘+⌥+⇧+ Opens the dialog for viewing and editing the list of keyboard shortcuts. Use it when you want to assign your own shortcut to a frequently used command.
Open menu Alt+Shift+Ctrl+Â ⌘+⌥+⇧+Â Moves keyboard focus to the menu bar so it can be navigated with the arrow keys. Use it when you want to operate the menus without touching the mouse.

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