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3D modeling

Blender Shortcut Keys: A Practical Guide to the Default Keymap

Blender shortcuts change with editor, mode, and keymap. Find the common default commands, navigate without a numpad, and troubleshoot or customize assignments.

By ThatPainter Team 8 min read
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Blender shortcuts depend on the active editor, mode, keymap, and keyboard. This guide uses Blender’s default keymap for its common commands; your assignments may differ if you use Industry Compatible or a custom setup. For a command you cannot find, move the pointer over the relevant editor and press F3 to search. The full, editable reference is in Blender’s Keymap documentation and Edit → Preferences → Keymap.

How to read Blender shortcut notation

A plus sign means to hold keys together. A comma or “then” means press and release the first key before pressing the next. That distinction matters: G, then X starts a move and constrains it to the X axis; it is not a simultaneous G + X combination.

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Notation Meaning
G Press G.
Ctrl + S Hold Ctrl and press S.
Shift + Alt + A Hold all three modifier keys and press A.
G, then X Press G, release it, then press X.
Numpad 1 The 1 key on a dedicated numeric keypad, not necessarily the number-row 1.
MMB / LMB / RMB Middle, left, or right mouse button.

Blender supports customizable keyboard and mouse shortcuts, and its manual describes common assignments rather than an unchanging exhaustive list. Check the official keymap introduction if your setup differs.

Essential shortcuts for everyday work

These are common assignments in Blender’s default keymap. Some are context-sensitive, and Spacebar is configurable.

Action Shortcut Where it helps
Search operators and commands F3 Searches commands available in the current context.
Rename active item F2 Renames many objects and data-blocks.
Move, rotate, scale G, R, S 3D Viewport transforms.
Duplicate Shift + D Creates an independent duplicate.
Enter or leave Edit Mode Tab For an editable object.
Extrude E Edit Mode; result depends on selected geometry.
Loop Cut Ctrl + R Edit Mode; requires suitable topology.
Bevel Ctrl + B Edit Mode; geometry-dependent.
Hide / reveal H / Alt + H Hides selection / reveals hidden items.
Maximize area Ctrl + Spacebar Expands the area beneath the pointer.
Front / side / top view Numpad 1 / Numpad 3 / Numpad 7 Viewport orthographic views.
Camera view / frame selected Numpad 0 / Numpad . Viewport navigation.
Render / show render F12 / F11 Render the current frame / open render display.

For the broader default assignments, see Blender’s Default Keymap reference.

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File, undo, and interface shortcuts

Action Default shortcut
Open file Ctrl + O
Save Ctrl + S
Save As Shift + Ctrl + S
New file Ctrl + N
Undo / redo Ctrl + Z / Shift + Ctrl + Z
Quit Ctrl + Q
Adjust last operation F9
Toggle Sidebar / Toolbar N / T
Fullscreen area Ctrl + Alt + Spacebar
Next / previous workspace Ctrl + Page Up / Ctrl + Page Down
Cancel / confirm many active operations Esc or RMB / Enter or LMB

Some operations use different confirmation behavior, so follow the prompt shown in Blender. F9 adjusts the most recent operation; once another action replaces it, those settings may no longer be available. The behavior of Spacebar can be set in preferences to play animation, activate tools, or open search.

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Navigate and frame the 3D Viewport

Action Default shortcut or input
Front / back view Numpad 1 / Ctrl + Numpad 1
Right / left view Numpad 3 / Ctrl + Numpad 3
Top / bottom view Numpad 7 / Ctrl + Numpad 7
Camera view Numpad 0
Toggle perspective and orthographic Numpad 5
Frame selected Numpad .
Frame all Home
Orbit Drag MMB
Pan Shift + drag MMB
Zoom Mouse wheel or Ctrl + drag MMB
View navigation pie menu AccentGrave (backtick key)
Walk/fly navigation Shift + AccentGrave

Working without a numeric keypad

  • Enable Emulate Numpad in Preferences if you want the number row to act like the keypad for view navigation. Number-row keys can still serve other purposes, including Edit Mode selection, so do not assume the two sets are interchangeable in every context.
  • Use the AccentGrave navigation pie menu for common view directions.
  • Use Home to frame all, or press F3 and search for a view command such as “View Selected” or “Front View.”

Object Mode: transform, duplicate, and organize

In the 3D Viewport, the default transform workflow begins with a command and can then take an axis or numeric value. For example, G, then X, then 2 moves along X by a value of 2 in the current unit context. Press Enter to confirm or Esc to cancel.

Action Shortcut Notes
Move / rotate / scale G / R / S Follow with an axis or value as needed.
Constrain to X, Y, or Z Axis key after transform For example, R, then Z.
Scale in X/Y plane, excluding Z S, then Shift + Z Sequential transform input.
Duplicate / duplicate linked Shift + D / Alt + D Linked duplicate shares data with the original.
Apply transform menu Ctrl + A Opens the Apply menu.
Parent / clear parent Ctrl + P / Alt + P Opens the corresponding menu.
Enter / exit Edit Mode Tab Requires a compatible active object.
Mode menu Ctrl + Tab Mode switching menu in many contexts.

Precision, snapping, and repeat

  • Hold Ctrl during a transform for snapping to coarse increments.
  • Hold Shift while transforming for slower, finer movement; Shift + Ctrl gives fine snapping.
  • Press Shift + R to repeat the last operation in many contexts. Use F9 immediately after an operation to change its options.

Modifier behavior can depend on the operation and context; Blender documents these common interactions in its keymap introduction.

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Edit Mode and common modeling commands

Action Shortcut Context or qualification
Vertex / edge / face selection mode 1 / 2 / 3 Edit Mode number row.
Combine selection modes Shift + a selection-mode number Can enable more than one mode.
Select all / deselect / invert A / Alt + A / Ctrl + I Default-keymap behavior.
Extrude E Effect depends on selected vertices, edges, or faces.
Inset faces I Most relevant with faces selected.
Bevel Ctrl + B Depends on the selected geometry.
Loop Cut and Slide Ctrl + R Needs a topology Blender can follow.
Knife K Starts the Knife tool.
Fill F Context-dependent.
Merge menu / Separate menu M / P Merge or separate selected geometry.
Proportional editing O Toggles proportional editing.
Edge/vertex slide G, then G Applicable selection and context required.

These commands are not universal across every object or mode. For example, Ctrl + R cannot create a loop where topology does not provide one, and an object that is linked, hidden, or not editable may not respond as expected.

Select, hide, and isolate objects or geometry

Action Shortcut Notes
Select all / deselect / invert A / Alt + A / Ctrl + I Default keymap; context and preset matter.
Hide selected / reveal hidden H / Alt + H Selection and editor context matter.
Linked geometry selection L or Ctrl + L Edit Mode and pointer position affect behavior.
Circle / box select C / B Viewport selection tools.
Lasso select Ctrl + drag RMB Common viewport context; mouse settings can affect workflow.
Select more / less Numpad + / Numpad - Selection context.
Toggle X-Ray Alt + Z Viewport.
Toggle Local View Numpad / Isolates or restores the local view.
Select loop / ring Alt + LMB / Ctrl + Alt + LMB Usually requires a suitable edge and topology.

Animation shortcuts

Animation commands depend particularly strongly on the editor and pointer location. A keyframe command may work over a property or in an animation editor but behave differently over the 3D Viewport.

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Action Shortcut Context
Play or pause Spacebar Playback configuration; Spacebar is customizable.
Insert keyframe I Relevant property or animation context.
Clear keyframe Alt + I Context-dependent.
Clear all keyframes Shift + Alt + I Context-dependent.
Next / previous keyframe Up Arrow / Down Arrow Timeline or animation editor.
First / last frame Shift + Left Arrow / Shift + Right Arrow Timeline context.

For interpolation or keyframe options, use the relevant editor’s context menu or search with F3; available actions depend on the current editor.

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Rendering and camera commands

Action Shortcut or route
Render current frame F12
Show render display F11
Cancel render Esc
Camera view in 3D Viewport Numpad 0
Set active camera Ctrl + Numpad 0 in the 3D Viewport
Render animation or save render Use Render menu, F3 search, or the Image Editor’s Save command

Not every rendering action has a single-key default shortcut. Search for the operator from the relevant editor when you need an action that is not listed.

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Shortcuts in other Blender editors

The 3D Viewport is only one part of Blender. The UV and Image Editors, Shader Editor, Compositor, Geometry Nodes editor, Graph Editor, Dope Sheet, Video Sequencer, Text Editor, Python Console, Outliner, and File Browser have their own context-sensitive commands. A static list of viewport keys will not cover those assignments reliably.

To find a command in one of these editors, place the pointer over that editor, press F3, and search by the operation’s name. For scripting work, Blender’s common keymap reference includes these commands when hovering over the relevant interface element:

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  • Ctrl + C over an operator button copies its Python command.
  • Shift + Ctrl + C over a field copies its relative data path.
  • Shift + Ctrl + Alt + C over a field copies its full data path.

See Blender’s common keymap documentation for these and other context-specific assignments.

Blender default or Industry Compatible?

The default keymap is the practical choice if you are new to Blender or following Blender-focused tutorials. Industry Compatible is intended for artists migrating from other 3D applications or teams that prefer a shared industry-style workflow. Its assignments differ from Blender default, and Blender’s documentation presents its mappings as common examples rather than a complete list. Review the Industry Compatible keymap reference before switching.

Consideration Blender default Industry Compatible
Following Blender tutorials Usually aligns with instructions. May require translating shortcut directions.
Moving from another 3D application Requires learning Blender conventions. May feel more familiar, depending on prior application.
Working with a team Consistent if the team uses default. Consistent if the team agrees on this preset.

Find, customize, export, or restore shortcuts

Open Edit → Preferences → Keymap. Blender’s keymap preferences let you select built-in presets, search assignments, edit shortcuts, and import or export keymap files. The exact items and available assignments can change with Blender versions and custom configuration; consult the Keymap Preferences manual.

  1. Move the pointer to the editor where you expect the command to run and press F3 to confirm that the operator is available.
  2. Open Edit → Preferences → Keymap and search for the operator or shortcut.
  3. Inspect the assignment and any conflict before changing it; the same key may be used in different contexts.
  4. Make the change and try it in the intended editor and mode.
  5. Export a backup of your keymap before making substantial changes or sharing a configuration.

Customization can reduce repetitive menu navigation and accommodate ergonomic needs, but it can also make tutorials, collaboration, and troubleshooting less predictable. A shared preset or exported backup makes it easier to reproduce a known setup.

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Why a Blender shortcut may not work

  • Wrong mode: the command may require Edit, Pose, Sculpt, or another mode.
  • Wrong editor under the pointer: Blender routes many shortcuts according to the active area.
  • Different keymap: Industry Compatible or a custom preset can assign another command.
  • Conflict: another operator may use the same key combination.
  • No numeric keypad: keypad commands may not be available; Emulate Numpad may be off.
  • Non-editable selection: the object may be linked, hidden, locked, or the wrong data type.
  • Mouse or keyboard layout difference: selection preferences and punctuation-key positions can alter how an instruction maps to your device.
  • Operating-system shortcut: macOS or another operating system may intercept a combination.
  • Sequence mistaken for a chord: press G, release, then press X; do not hold both as though they were one shortcut.
  • Missing selection or target: the shortcut may run but have no visible effect without the required active object or selected geometry.

Quick recovery sequence

  1. Check the mode shown in the 3D Viewport header.
  2. Place the pointer over the editor where the command belongs and press F3.
  3. Search for and run the operator. If it is not available, check the selected object, mode, and editor context.
  4. Open Edit → Preferences → Keymap, search for the operator, and inspect its assignment and conflicts.
  5. Switch to a built-in preset or restore a known-good exported keymap if custom assignments are the cause.

Mac, keyboard layouts, and version differences

On macOS, Cmd often serves where a Windows or Linux instruction uses Ctrl, but operating-system conflicts create exceptions. Do not substitute it mechanically for every shortcut. Keys such as AccentGrave, punctuation, brackets, and symbols may also sit in different physical positions on different keyboard layouts.

The tables here describe common Blender default assignments, not a guarantee for every Blender release or customized installation. Blender’s manual includes versioned documentation, including the Blender 4.5 manual; verify a command against your installed version and the Keymap preferences when exact behavior matters.

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