Gmail keyboard shortcuts
Composer commands and navigation that needs Gmail shortcuts switched on.
34 shortcuts Mac and Windows checked September 11, 2026
Print all 34 shortcuts One sheet with every shortcut in this app, ready for the printer or a PDF.
- Gmail Documented
| Action | Keys | Row actions |
|---|---|---|
| Draft a fresh email Shortcuts enabled Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac C 1 more variant | Source |
| Respond to the sender Open conversation Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac R 1 more variant | Source |
| Respond to everyone Open conversation Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac A 1 more variant | Source |
| Pass an email onward Open conversation Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac F 1 more variant | Source |
| Remove mail from the inbox Archive selected or open conversation Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac E 1 more variant | Source |
| Set mail as unread Selected or open conversation Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac ShiftU 1 more variant | Source |
| Focus the mail search field Shortcuts enabled Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac / 1 more variant | Source |
| Navigate to the inbox Ordered sequence Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac GI 1 more variant | Source |
| Navigate to draft messages Ordered sequence Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be switched on in Gmail settings. | Mac GD 1 more variant | Source |
| Send the current draft Composer; confirmation may appear | Mac CmdEnter 1 more variant | Source |
| Add CC Composer | Windows CtrlShiftC | Source |
| Add BCC Composer | Windows CtrlShiftB | Source |
| Insert link Composer | Windows CtrlK | Source |
| Bold Composer text | Windows CtrlB | Source |
| Italic Composer text | Windows CtrlI | Source |
| Underline Composer text | Windows CtrlU | Source |
| Numbered list Composer | Windows CtrlShift7 | Source |
| Bulleted list Composer | Windows CtrlShift8 | Source |
| Quote Composer | Windows CtrlShift9 | Source |
| Indent less Composer | Windows Ctrl[ | Source |
| Indent more Composer | Windows Ctrl] | Source |
| Clear formatting Composer text | Windows Ctrl\ | Source |
| Select conversation Conversation list | Windows X | Source |
| Star conversation Conversation list | Windows S | Source |
| Mute conversation Conversation | Windows M | Source |
| Mark read Conversation | Windows ShiftI | Source |
| Snooze Conversation | Windows B | Source |
| Expand conversation Conversation | Windows ; | Source |
| Collapse conversation Conversation | Windows : | Source |
| Add to Tasks Conversation | Windows ShiftT | Source |
About Gmail and its shortcuts
Gmail's keyboard is switched off until you turn it on, which is why so many people never discover it. Once enabled it is one of the fastest mail interfaces anywhere: single letters select, archive, label and compose, and two-key sequences reach whole sections. It is the clearest example on this site of shortcuts designed for speed rather than for discoverability.
Nothing works until keyboard shortcuts are enabled in settings, and some combinations only apply while a conversation is open rather than in the list. Gmail also offers custom key assignments as an experimental setting, which can move things out from under you.
Where the Gmail keys came from
Read from 1 documentation page published by the makers of Gmail. Report a key that is wrong
To see how one action is done in other apps as well as Gmail, browse the shortcuts by task. Shortcuts by task