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Adobe Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac

Keyboard shortcuts for Adobe Photoshop on Mac. Switch tools, manage layers, refine selections, paint, apply blending modes, and use Liquify and Curves.
Key label style

Function keys

Start Help
Help
Undo/Redo
F1
Cut
F2
Copy
F3
Paste
F4
Show/Hide Brush panel
F5
Show/Hide Color panel
F6
Show/Hide Layers panel
F7
Show/Hide Info panel
F8
Show/Hide Actions panel
F9
Revert
F12
Fill
Shift+F5
Feather Selection
Shift+F6
Inverse Selection
Cmd+Shift+I

Select tools

Cycle through tools with the same shortcut keyNeeds the "Use Shift Key for Tool Switch" preference turned on.
Shift+<tool shortcut key>
Cycle through hidden tools
Opt+Clickthe tool in the toolbar
Move tool
V
Rectangular Marquee tool / Elliptical Marquee tool
M
Lasso tool / Polygonal Lasso tool / Magnetic Lasso tool
L
Magic Wand tool / Quick Selection tool
W
Crop tool / Slice tool / Slice Select tool
C
Eyedropper tool / Color Sampler tool / Ruler tool / Note tool
I
Spot Healing Brush tool / Healing Brush tool / Patch tool / Red Eye tool
J
Brush tool / Pencil tool / Color Replacement tool / Mixer Brush tool
B
Clone Stamp tool / Pattern Stamp tool
S
History Brush tool / Art History Brush tool
Y
Eraser tool / Background Eraser tool / Magic Eraser tool
E
Gradient tool / Paint Bucket tool
G
Dodge tool / Burn tool / Sponge tool
O
Pen tool / Freeform Pen tool
P
Horizontal Type tool / Vertical Type tool / Horizontal Type mask tool / Vertical Type mask tool
T
Path Selection tool / Direct Selection tool
A
Rectangle tool / Rounded Rectangle tool / Ellipse tool / Polygon tool / Line tool / Custom Shape tool
U
Hand tool
H
Rotate View tool
R
Zoom tool
Z
Default Foreground/Background colors
D
Switch Foreground/Background colors
X
Toggle Standard/Quick Mask modes
Q
Content-Aware Move tool
J
Perspective Crop tool
C
Artboard tool
V
Toggle Preserve Transparency
/
Decrease Brush Hardness
Shift+[
Increase Brush Hardness
Shift+]
Previous Brush
,
Next Brush
.
First Brush
Shift+,
Last Brush
Shift+.

Images

Cycle through open documents
Ctrl+Tab
Switch to previous document
Cmd+Shift+`
Toggle (forward) between Standard screen mode, Full screen mode with menu bar, and Full screen mode
F
Toggle (backward) between Standard screen mode, Full screen mode with menu bar, and Full screen mode
Shift+F
Toggle (forward) canvas color
Space+F
Toggle (backward) canvas color
Shift+Space+F
Fit image in window
Double-clickHand tool
Magnify 100%
Double-clickZoom tool
or
Cmd+1
Switch to Hand tool (when not in text-edit mode)
Space
Simultaneously pan multiple documents with Hand tool
Shift+Drag
Switch to Zoom In tool
Cmd+Space
Switch to Zoom Out tool
Opt+Space
Move Zoom marquee while dragging with the Zoom tool
Space+Drag
Apply zoom percentage, and keep zoom percentage box active
Shift+Return
Zoom in on specified area of an image
Cmd+Dragover the preview in the Navigator panel
Temporarily zoom into an image
H,Clickand hold in the image
Scroll image with Hand tool
Space+Drag
or
Dragthe view area box in the Navigator panel
Move view to upper-left corner or lower-right corner
Home
or
End
Toggle layer mask on/off as rubylith (layer mask must be selected)
\

Refine Edge

Open the Refine Edge dialog box
Cmd+Opt+R
Cycle (forward) through preview modes
F
Cycle (backward) through preview modes
Shift+F
Toggle between original image and selection preview
X
Toggle between original selection and refined version
P
Toggle radius preview on and off
J
Toggle between Refine Radius and Erase Refinements tools
Shift+E

Filter Gallery

Apply a new filter on top of selected
Opt+Clicka filter
Reapply last-used filter
Cmd+Ctrl+F
Open/close all disclosure triangles
Opt+Clicka disclosure triangle
Change Cancel button to Default
Cmd
Change Cancel button to Reset
Opt
Undo/Redo
Cmd+Z
Step forward
Cmd+Shift+Z
Step backward
Cmd+Opt+Z

Liquify filter

Forward Warp tool
W
Reconstruct tool
R
Twirl Clockwise tool
C
Pucker tool
S
Bloat tool
B
Push Left tool
O
Mirror tool
M
Turbulence tool
T
Freeze Mask tool
F
Thaw Mask tool
D
Reverse direction for Bloat, Pucker, Push Left, and Mirror tools
Opt
with the Bloat, Pucker, Push Left or Mirror tool
Continually sample the distortion
Opt+Dragin the preview
with the Reconstruct tool in Displace, Amplitwist or Affine mode
Decrease/increase brush size by 2, or density, pressure, rate, or turbulent jitter by 1
UpDown
Decrease/increase brush size by 2, or density, pressure, rate, or turbulent jitter by 1
LeftRight
Cycle through controls on right from top
Tab
Cycle through controls on right from bottom
Shift+Tab
Change Cancel to Reset
Opt

Vanishing Point

Increase brush size (Brush, Stamp tools)
]
Decrease brush size (Brush, Stamp tools)
[
Increase brush hardness (Brush, Stamp tools)
Shift+]
Decrease brush hardness (Brush, Stamp tools)
Shift+[
Undo last action
Cmd+Z
Redo last action
Cmd+Shift+Z
Deselect all
Cmd+D
Hide selection and planes
Cmd+H
Move selection 1 pixel
UpDownLeftRight
Move selection 10 pixels
Shift+UpDownLeftRight
Copy
Cmd+C
Paste
Cmd+V
Repeat last duplicate and move
Cmd+Shift+T
Fill a selection with image under the pointer
Cmd+Drag
Create a duplicate of the selection as a floating selection
Cmd+Opt+Drag
Constrain selection to a 15° rotation
Opt+Shift
while rotating a selection
Select a plane under another selected plane
Cmd+Clickthe plane
Create 90 degree plane off parent plane
Cmd+Drag
Delete last node while creating plane
Fwd Del
Make a full canvas plane, square to the camera
Double-clickthe Create Plane tool

Black-and-White dialog box

Open the Black-and-White dialog box
Cmd+Opt+Shift+B
Increase/decrease selected value by 1%
Up
or
Down
Increase/decrease selected value by 10%
Shift+UpDown
Change the values of the closest color slider
Dragin the image

Curves

Open the Curves dialog box
Cmd+M
Select next point on the curve
=
Select the previous point on the curve
-
Select multiple points on the curve
Shift+Clickthe points
Deselect a point
Cmd+D
To delete a point on the curve
Fwd Del
with a point on the curve selected
Move the selected point 1 unit
UpDownLeftRight
Move the selected point 10 units
Shift+UpDownLeftRight
Display highlights and shadows that will be clipped
Opt+Dragblack/white point sliders
Set a point to the composite curve
Cmd+Clickthe image
Set a point to the channel curves
Cmd+Shift+Clickthe image
Toggle grid size
Opt+Clickthe field

Select and move objects

Toggle auto-select with move tool
Cmd+Click
Reposition marquee while selecting
Space+Drag
with Any marquee tool
Add to a selection
Shift+Drag
with Any selection tool
Subtract from a selection
Opt+Drag
with Any selection tool
Intersect a selection
Opt+Shift+Drag
with Any selection tool
Constrain marquee to square or circle (if no other selections are active)
Shift+Drag
Draw marquee from center (if no other selections are active)
Opt+Drag
Constrain shape and draw marquee from center
Opt+Shift+Drag
Switch to Move tool
Cmd
Switch from Magnetic Lasso tool to Lasso tool
Opt+Drag
Switch from Magnetic Lasso tool to polygonal Lasso tool
Opt+Click
Move copy of selection
Opt+Dragselection
with Move tool
Move selection area 1 pixel
RightLeftUpDown
with Any selection
Move selection 1 pixel
RightLeftUpDown
with Move tool
Move layer 1 pixel when nothing selected on layer
Cmd+RightLeftUpDown
Increase/decrease detection width
[
or
]
with Magnetic Lasso tool
Accept cropping or exit cropping
Return
or
Esc
with Crop tool
Toggle crop shield off and on
/
Make protractor
Opt+Dragend point
with the Ruler tool
Snap guide to ruler ticks (except when View > Snap is unchecked)
Shift+Dragguide
Convert between horizontal and vertical guide
Opt+Dragguide

Transform selections, selection borders, and paths

Free Transform
Cmd+T
Transform from center or reflect
Opt
Constrain
Shift
Distort
Cmd
Apply
Return
Cancel
Cmd+.
or
Esc
Free transform with duplicate data
Cmd+Opt+T
Transform again with duplicate data
Cmd+Opt+Shift+T

Edit paths

Select multiple anchor points
Shift+Click
with Direct selection tool
Select entire path
Opt+Click
with Direct selection tool
Duplicate a path
Cmd+Opt+Drag
with Pen , Path Selection or Direct Selection tool
Switch from Path Selection, Pen, Add Anchor Point, Delete Anchor Point, or Convert Point tools to Direct Selection tool
Cmd
Switch from Pen tool or Freeform Pen tool to Convert Point tool when pointer is over anchor or direction point
Opt
Close path
Double-click
with the Magnetic Pen tool
Close path with straight-line segment
Opt+Double-click
with the Magnetic Pen tool

Painting

Decrease Brush Size
[
Increase Brush Size
]
Select foreground color from color picker
Cmd+Ctrl+Opt+Drag
with Any painting tool
Select foreground color from image with Eyedropper tool
Opt+Click
with any painting or shape tool
Select background color
Opt+Click
with the Eyedropper tool
Color sampler tool
Shift+Click
with the Eyedropper tool
Deletes color sampler
Opt+Click
with Color sampler tool
Sets opacity, tolerance, strength, or exposure for painting mode0 is 100%; type two digits in quick succession for a precise value (4 then 5 is 45%)
<0-9>
with Any painting or editing tool
Sets flow for painting mode0 is 100%; type two digits in quick succession for a precise value (4 then 5 is 45%)
Shift+<0-9>
with Any painting or editing tool
Mixer Brush changes Mix setting
Opt+Shift+<0-9>
Mixer Brush changes Wet setting
<0-9>
Mixer Brush changes Wet and Mix to zero
0
Cycle through blending modes
Shift+=-
Open Fill dialog box on background or standard layer
Fwd Del
or
Shift+Fwd Del
Fill with foreground or background color
Opt+Fwd Del
or
Cmd+Fwd Del
Fill from history
Cmd+Opt+Fwd Del
Displays Fill dialog box
Shift+Fwd Del
Lock transparent pixels on/off
/
Connects points with a straight line
Shift+Click
with Any painting tool

Blending modes

Cycle through blending modes
Shift+=-
Normal
Opt+Shift+N
Dissolve
Opt+Shift+I
Behind (Brush tool only)
Opt+Shift+Q
Clear (Brush tool only)
Opt+Shift+R
Darken
Opt+Shift+K
Multiply
Opt+Shift+M
Color Burn
Opt+Shift+B
Linear Burn
Opt+Shift+A
Lighten
Opt+Shift+G
Screen
Opt+Shift+S
Color Dodge
Opt+Shift+D
Linear Dodge
Opt+Shift+W
Overlay
Opt+Shift+O
Soft Light
Opt+Shift+F
Hard Light
Opt+Shift+H
Vivid Light
Opt+Shift+V
Linear Light
Opt+Shift+J
Pin Light
Opt+Shift+Z
Hard Mix
Opt+Shift+L
Difference
Opt+Shift+E
Exclusion
Opt+Shift+X
Hue
Opt+Shift+U
Saturation
Opt+Shift+T
Color
Opt+Shift+C
Luminosity
Opt+Shift+Y
Desaturate
Opt+Shift+D
with Sponge tool
Saturate
Opt+Shift+S
with Sponge tool
Dodge/burn shadows
Opt+Shift+S
with Dodge tool/Burn tool
Dodge/burn midtones
Opt+Shift+M
with Dodge tool/Burn tool
Dodge/burn highlights
Opt+Shift+H
with Dodge tool/Burn tool
Set blending mode to Threshold for bitmap images, Normal for all other images
Opt+Shift+N

Select and edit text

Move type in image
Cmd+Dragthe type
with a Type layer selected
Select 1 character left/right or 1 line down/up, or 1 word left/right
Shift+LeftRightDownUp
or
Cmd+Shift+LeftRight
Select characters from insertion point to mouse click point
Shift+Click
Move 1 character left/right, 1 line down/up, or 1 word left/right
Left
or
Right
or
Down
or
Up
or
Cmd+Left
or
Right
Create a new text layer, when a text layer is selected in the Layers panel
Shift+Click
Select a word, line, paragraph, or storyDouble-click selects a word and triple-click a line; four clicks select the paragraph and five the story
Double-click
or
Triple-click
Show/Hide selection on selected type
Cmd+H
Show the bounding box for transforming textIf the cursor is inside the bounding box, this activates the Move tool instead.
Cmd
while editing text
Scale text within a bounding box when resizing the bounding box
Cmd+Draga bounding box handle
Move text box while creating text box
Space+Drag

Format type

Align left, center, or right
Cmd+Shift+LCR
with Horizontal Type tool
Align top, center, or bottom
Cmd+Shift+LCR
with Vertical Type tool
Choose 100% horizontal scale
Cmd+Shift+X
Choose 100% vertical scale
Cmd+Opt+Shift+X
Choose Auto leading
Cmd+Opt+Shift+A
Choose 0 for tracking
Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+Q
Justify paragraph, left aligns last line
Cmd+Shift+J
Justify paragraph, justifies all
Cmd+Shift+F
Toggle paragraph hyphenation on/off
Cmd+Ctrl+Opt+Shift+H
Toggle single/every-line composer on/off
Cmd+Opt+Shift+T
Decrease or increase type size of selected text 2 points or pixels
Cmd+Shift+,
or
Cmd+Shift+.
Decrease or increase leading 2 points or pixels
Opt+DownUp
Decrease or increase baseline shift 2 points or pixels
Opt+Shift+DownUp
Decrease or increase kerning/tracking 20/1000 ems
Opt+LeftRight

Panels

Set options for new items (except for Actions, Animation, Styles, Brushes, Tool Presets, and Layer Comps panels)
Opt+ClickNew button
Delete without confirmation (except for the Brush panel)
Opt+ClickDelete button
Apply value and keep text box active
Shift+Return
Show/Hide all panels
Tab
Show/Hide all panels except the toolbox and options bar
Shift+Tab
Highlight options bar
Return
Increase/decrease selected values by 10
Shift+UpDown

Adjustment layers

Choose specific channel for adjustment3 is the red channel, 4 green, 5 blue
Opt+345
Choose composite channel for adjustment
Opt+2
Delete adjustment layer
Fwd Del
Define Auto options for Levels or Curves
Opt+ClickAuto button

Brush panel

Delete brush
Opt+Clickbrush
Delete brush or swatch
Opt+Clicka brush or swatch
Rename brush
Double-clickbrush
Change brush size
Ctrl+Opt+LeftRight
Decrease/increase brush softness/hardness
Ctrl+Opt+UpDown
Select first/last brush
Shift+,.
Display precise cross hair for brushes
CapsLock
Toggle airbrush option
Opt+Shift+P

Clone Source panel

Show Clone Source (overlays image)
Opt+Shift
Nudge Clone Source
Opt+Shift+UpDownLeftRight
Rotate Clone Source
Opt+Shift+,
or
Opt+Shift+.
Scale (increase or reduce size) Clone Source
Opt+Shift+[
or
Opt+Shift+]

Color panel

Select background color
Opt+Clicka color in the color bar
Display Color Bar menu
Ctrl+Clickcolor bar
Cycle through color choices
Shift+Clickcolor bar

History panel

Create a new snapshot
Opt+ClickNew Snapshot
Rename snapshot
Double-clicksnapshot name
Step forward through image states
Cmd+Shift+Z
Step backward through image states
Cmd+Opt+Z
Duplicate any image state, except the current state
Opt+Clickthe image state
Permanently clear history (no Undo)
Opt+ClickClear History

Layers panel

Load layer transparency as a selection
Cmd+Clicklayer thumbnail
Add to current selection
Cmd+Shift+Clicklayer thumbnail
Subtract from current selection
Cmd+Opt+Clicklayer thumbnail
Intersect with current selection
Cmd+Opt+Shift+Clicklayer thumbnail
Load filter mask as a selection
Cmd+Clickfilter mask thumbnail
New layer
Cmd+Shift+N
New layer via copy
Cmd+J
New layer via cut
Cmd+Shift+J
Group layers
Cmd+G
Ungroup layers
Cmd+Shift+G
Create/release clipping mask
Cmd+Opt+G
Select all layers
Cmd+Opt+A
Merge visible layers
Cmd+Shift+E
Create new empty layer with dialog box
Opt+ClickNew Layer button
Create new layer below target layer
Cmd+ClickNew Layer button
Select top layer
Opt+.
Select bottom layer
Opt+,
Add to layer selection in Layers panel
Opt+Shift+[
or
Opt+Shift+]
Select next layer down/up
Opt+[
or
Opt+]
Move target layer down/up
Cmd+[
or
Cmd+]
Merge a copy of all visible layers into target layer
Cmd+Opt+Shift+E
Merge layers
Cmd+E
with the layers to merge selected
Move layer to bottom or top
Cmd+Shift+[
or
Cmd+Shift+]
Copy current layer to layer below
Opt+ClickMerge Visible in the Layers panel menu
Show/hide this layer/layer group only or all layers/layer groups
Ctrl+Clickthe eye icon
Show/hide all other currently visible layers
Opt+Clickthe eye icon
Toggle lock transparency for target layer, or last applied lock
/
Edit layer effect/style, options
Double-clicklayer effect/style
Hide layer effect/style
Opt+Double-clicklayer effect/style
Edit layer style
Double-clicklayer
Disable/enable vector mask
Shift+Clickvector mask thumbnail
Open Layer Mask Display Options dialog box
Double-clicklayer mask thumbnail
Toggle layer mask on/off
Shift+Clicklayer mask thumbnail
Toggle filter mask on/off
Shift+Clickfilter mask thumbnail
Toggle between layer mask/composite image
Opt+Clicklayer mask thumbnail
Toggle between filter mask/composite image
Opt+Clickfilter mask thumbnail
Toggle rubylith mode for layer mask on/off
\
or
Opt+Shift+Click
Select all type; temporarily select Type tool
Double-clicktype layer thumbnail
Create a clipping mask
Opt+Clickthe line dividing two layers
Rename layer
Double-clickthe layer name
Edit filter settings
Double-clickthe filter effect
Edit the Filter Blending options
Double-clickthe Filter Blending icon
Create new layer group below current layer/layer set
Cmd+ClickNew Group button
Create new layer group with dialog box
Opt+ClickNew Group button
Create layer mask that hides all/selection
Opt+ClickAdd Layer Mask button
Create vector mask that reveals all/path area
Cmd+ClickAdd Layer Mask button
Create vector mask that hides all or displays path area
Cmd+Opt+ClickAdd Layer Mask button
Display layer group propertiesThen choose Group Properties from the menu.
Ctrl+Clickthe layer group
or
Double-clickgroup
Select/deselect multiple contiguous layers
Shift+Click
Select/deselect multiple discontiguous layers
Cmd+Click

Paths panel

Load path as selection
Cmd+Clickpathname
Add path to selection
Cmd+Shift+Clickpathname
Subtract path from selection
Cmd+Opt+Clickpathname
Retain intersection of path as selection
Cmd+Opt+Shift+Clickpathname
Hide path
Cmd+Shift+H
Set options for a Paths panel buttonFill Path with Foreground Color, Stroke Path with Brush, Load Path as a Selection, Make Work Path from Selection, and Create New Path.
Opt+Clickbutton

Swatches panel

Create new swatch from foreground color
Clickan empty area of the panel
Set swatch color as background color
Cmd+Clickswatch
Delete swatch
Opt+Clickswatch

Dialogs and fields

Cancel any modal dialog window (including the Start Workspace)
Esc
Navigate between fields
Tab
Navigate between fields in opposite direction
Shift+Tab

View and zoom

Zoom 2x (temporary)
X
Fit in view
Cmd+0
or
Double-clickHand tool
Zoom to center at 100%
Double-clickZoom tool

Intro

Photoshop on Mac uses Command (⌘) as its primary modifier. Tool activation, layer management, selections, and adjustments all follow the Command pattern. One conflict worth knowing about before you start: the Cmd+H shortcut.

The Cmd+H issue on Mac

Cmd+H in macOS hides the active application. Cmd+H in Photoshop is supposed to hide and show Extras, the overlay of guides, grids, path outlines, and other non-printing visual aids.

When you press Cmd+H in Photoshop on Mac, Adobe and macOS compete for the shortcut. Photoshop shows a one-time dialog asking whether you want Cmd+H to hide Photoshop (macOS behavior) or hide Extras (Photoshop behavior). Your choice is saved as a preference.

Most Photoshop users on Mac configure Cmd+H to hide Extras (the Photoshop behavior), since hiding the application is less commonly needed and available through the Dock. If you haven't made this choice yet, the first time you press Cmd+H in Photoshop, you'll be prompted.

Mac-specific shortcut notes

Single-key tools. V (Move), M (Marquee), L (Lasso), W (Quick Selection), C (Crop), E (Eraser), G (Gradient/Bucket), B (Brush), T (Type), P (Pen), I (Eyedropper), H (Hand), Z (Zoom), D (default colors), X (swap colors). No Command needed.

Layer operations. Cmd+J duplicates the active layer. Cmd+E merges down. Cmd+Shift+E merges all visible. Cmd+G groups selected layers; Cmd+Shift+G ungroups.

Free Transform. Cmd+T enters Free Transform mode. Hold Shift while dragging handles to constrain proportions (in older Photoshop; in current versions proportional scaling is the default). Escape or Enter to exit.

Adjustment shortcuts. Cmd+L (Levels), Cmd+M (Curves), Cmd+U (Hue/Saturation), Cmd+B (Color Balance). These open the corresponding adjustment dialog on the active layer.

Undo. Cmd+Z steps backward through history. Cmd+Shift+Z steps forward (redo).

Printable PDF

The Photoshop macOS shortcut list is available as a printable PDF. The single-key tool list and the adjustment shortcuts are the most useful sections to print during the early period of building Photoshop habits.

FAQ

Need more than shortcuts?
Visit the Adobe Photoshop app page for an overview and helpful links.

Want to suggest a new app, report a bug, or get help? Email us at info@hkeys.app.

For anything else or just a quick hello, write to us at info@hkeys.app.