Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts (ChromeOS)

Every ChromeOS shortcut: screenshots, Caps Lock, snapping windows, desks, text editing and the Search key explained.

Chromebook keyboard shortcuts — freetoolsforweb.com

Last verified: 2026-10-18 against ChromeOS (US English keyboard). 139 shortcuts.

Which key is which on your Chromebook

Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher key is the key where Caps Lock usually sits. Depending on the model it shows a magnifying glass (Search), a circle (Launcher, also called the Everything Button) or a Google logo; Google says they all work the same. With a Windows or Mac keyboard, use the Windows or Command key.
Show windowsShow windows key (Overview) is the top-row key with stacked rectangles (where F5 would be). Newer keyboards also have a Screenshot keyScreenshot key and a Quick Insert keyQuick Insert key.
There is no Home, End or Delete key: use Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher key← plus Left arrow, Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher key→ plus Right arrow and AltAltBackspace plus Backspace. Press CtrlControlSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher keyS plus S on the Chromebook for its built-in list.

Search shortcuts or type keys

Essentials only

Showing all 139 shortcuts in 8 categories

Popular shortcuts: screenshots, lock, Caps Lock#

Action	Chromebook	Copy
Take a full-screen screenshotScreenshots go to Downloads and are copied to the clipboard.	`CtrlControlShow windows plus Show windows key (Overview)`or `Screenshot keyScreenshot key`
Take a partial screenshot (select an area)Then drag to select. The same keys open the full Screen capture toolbar (window, area, recording).	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftShow windows plus Show windows key (Overview)`
Open Screen capture on a keyboard without a Show windows key	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftF5 plus F5`
Take a screenshot on a tablet	`PowerPower buttonVolume Down plus Volume Down key`
Stop a screen recording	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyShift plus ShiftX plus X`
Turn Caps Lock on or off	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyAlt plus Alt`or `FnFnQuick Insert key plus Quick Insert key`Fn+Quick Insert on newer keyboards that have a Quick Insert key.
Lock the screen	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyL plus L`
Sign out of your Google AccountPress it twice.	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftQ plus Q` then `CtrlControlShift plus ShiftQ plus Q`
See all keyboard shortcuts	`CtrlControlSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher keyS plus S`
Open Quick Insert (emoji, GIFs, links, Help me write)	`Quick Insert keyQuick Insert key`or `Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyF plus F`

Tabs and windows#

Action	Chromebook	Copy
Open a new window	`CtrlControlN plus N`
Open a new Incognito window	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftN plus N`
Open a new tab	`CtrlControlT plus T`
Open a file in the browser	`CtrlControlO plus O`
Close the current tab	`CtrlControlW plus W`
Close the current window	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftW plus W`
Reopen the last tab or window you closed	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftT plus T`
Go to tab 1 to 8 in the window	`CtrlControl1–8 plus 1 to 8`
Go to the last tab in the window	`CtrlControl9 plus 9`
Go to the next tab	`CtrlControlTab plus Tab`
Go to the previous tab	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftTab plus Tab`
Switch between windowsHold Alt and keep pressing Tab, then release on the window you want.	`AltAltTab plus Tab`
Open the window you used least recently	`ShiftShiftAlt plus AltTab plus Tab`
Go back a page in your browsing history	`AltAlt← plus Left arrow`or `Back ←Back key`
Go forward a page in your browsing history	`AltAlt→ plus Right arrow`or `Forward →Forward key`
Open a link in a new background tab	`CtrlControlClick plus click`
Open a link in a new tab and switch to it	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftClick plus click`
Open a link in a new window	`ShiftShiftClick plus click`
Open the address you typed in a new tabType the URL in the address bar first.	`AltAltEnter plus Enter`
Dock (snap) the window on the left	`AltAlt[ plus left bracket`
Dock (snap) the window on the right	`AltAlt] plus right bracket`
Maximize the window	`AltAlt= plus equals`
Minimize the window	`AltAlt- plus hyphen`
Move the window to the other screen (external monitor)	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyAlt plus AltM plus M`

Page and web browser#

Action	Chromebook	Copy
Page up	`AltAlt↑ plus Up arrow`
Page down	`AltAlt↓ plus Down arrow`
Scroll down the page	`SpaceSpace bar`
Go to the top of the page	`CtrlControlAlt plus Alt↑ plus Up arrow`
Go to the bottom of the page	`CtrlControlAlt plus Alt↓ plus Down arrow`
Print the current page	`CtrlControlP plus P`
Save the current page	`CtrlControlS plus S`
Reload the page	`CtrlControlR plus R`or `Refresh ⟳Refresh key`
Reload without using cached content	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftR plus R`
Zoom in on the page	`CtrlControl+ plus Plus`
Zoom out on the page	`CtrlControl- plus hyphen`
Reset the zoom level	`CtrlControl0 plus 0`
Stop loading the page	`EscEscape`
Right-click a link	`AltAltClick plus click`
Bookmark the current page	`CtrlControlD plus D`
Bookmark all open pages in a new folder	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftD plus D`
Search the current page	`CtrlControlF plus F`
Go to the next match	`CtrlControlG plus G`or `EnterEnter`
Go to the previous match	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftG plus G`or `ShiftShiftEnter plus Enter`
Perform a Google search	`CtrlControlK plus K`or `CtrlControlE plus E`
Add www. and .com to what you typed and open it	`CtrlControlEnter plus Enter`
Select the address bar	`CtrlControlL plus L`or `AltAltD plus D`
View page source	`CtrlControlU plus U`
Show or hide Developer Tools	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftI plus I`
Inspect an element in Developer Tools	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftC plus C`
Open the Console in Developer Tools	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftJ plus J`
Show or hide the bookmarks bar	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftB plus B`
Open History	`CtrlControlH plus H`
Open Downloads	`CtrlControlJ plus J`
Delete the selected Autofill suggestion	`ShiftShiftAlt plus AltBackspace plus Backspace`

System and display settings#

Action	Chromebook	Copy
Open the Files app	`ShiftShiftAlt plus AltM plus M`
Preview a file in the Files appSelect the file first.	`SpaceSpace bar`
Show hidden files in the Files app	`CtrlControl. plus period`
Open the status area (Quick Settings, where the time is)	`ShiftShiftAlt plus AltS plus S`
Open app 1 to 8 on the shelf	`AltAlt1–8 plus 1 to 8`
Open the last app on the shelf	`AltAlt9 plus 9`
Use F1–F12 (the top-row keys as function keys)Hold Search and press the top-row key in that F-key’s position (Back sits where F1 is). Keyboards with fewer than 12 top-row keys can assign F11 and F12 in Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs > Customize keyboard keys.	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyBack ← plus Back key`or `Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyRefresh ⟳ plus Refresh key`
Check your notifications	`ShiftShiftAlt plus AltN plus N`
Change the screen resolution (bigger or smaller)	`CtrlControlShift plus Shift+ plus Plus`or `CtrlControlShift plus Shift- plus hyphen`
Reset the screen resolution	`CtrlControlShift plus Shift0 plus 0`
Rotate the screen 90 degrees	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftRefresh ⟳ plus Refresh key`Google’s help calls this key "Rotate"; it is the circular-arrow key on the top row.
Switch to the next signed-in user	`CtrlControlAlt plus Alt. plus period`
Switch to the previous signed-in user	`CtrlControlAlt plus Alt, plus comma`
Dim the keyboard backlightBacklit keyboards only.	`AltAltBrightness Down plus Brightness Down key`
Brighten the keyboard backlightBacklit keyboards only.	`AltAltBrightness Up plus Brightness Up key`
Show all open windows (Overview)	`Show windowsShow windows key (Overview)`

Text editing#

Action	Chromebook	Copy
Select everything on the page	`CtrlControlA plus A`
Select the next word or letter	`CtrlControlShift plus Shift→ plus Right arrow`
Select the previous word or letter	`CtrlControlShift plus Shift← plus Left arrow`
Select to the end of the line	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyShift plus Shift→ plus Right arrow`
Select to the beginning of the line	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyShift plus Shift← plus Left arrow`
Move to the end of the next word	`CtrlControl→ plus Right arrow`
Move to the start of the previous word	`CtrlControl← plus Left arrow`
Move to the beginning of the line (Home)	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher key← plus Left arrow`
Move to the end of the line (End)	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher key→ plus Right arrow`
Go to the end of the document	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyCtrl plus Control→ plus Right arrow`
Go to the beginning of the document	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyCtrl plus Control← plus Left arrow`
Open the clipboard (history) menuHolds your last 5 copied items.	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyV plus V`
Copy	`CtrlControlC plus C`
Paste	`CtrlControlV plus V`
Paste as plain text	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftV plus V`
Cut	`CtrlControlX plus X`
Delete the previous word	`CtrlControlBackspace plus Backspace`
Delete the next letter (forward delete)	`AltAltBackspace plus Backspace`
Undo	`CtrlControlZ plus Z`
Redo	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftZ plus Z`
Switch between the keyboard languages you set	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftSpace plus Space bar`
Switch to the previous keyboard language	`CtrlControlSpace plus Space bar`
Insert an emoji	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyShift plus ShiftSpace plus Space bar`
Open the right-click menu for the highlighted item	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyShift plus ShiftVolume Up plus Volume Up key`

Desks (virtual desktops)#

Action	Chromebook	Copy
Create a new desk	`ShiftShiftSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher key= plus equals`
Switch to the desk on the left or right	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher key[ plus left bracket`or `Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher key] plus right bracket`
Switch to a specific deskShift+Search plus the desk’s position number.	`ShiftShiftSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher key1–8 plus 1 to 8`
Move a window to the desk on the left or right	`ShiftShiftSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher key[ plus left bracket`or `ShiftShiftSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher key] plus right bracket`
Show a window on all desks	`ShiftShiftSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher keyA plus A`

Accessibility#

Action	Chromebook	Copy
Turn ChromeVox (spoken feedback) on or off	`CtrlControlAlt plus AltZ plus Z`
Turn on high contrast mode	`Search / LauncherSearch or Launcher keyCtrl plus ControlH plus H`
Magnify the whole screen	`CtrlControlSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher keyM plus M`
Magnify part of the screen	`CtrlControlSearch / Launcher plus Search or Launcher keyD plus D`
Move around in full-screen magnifier	`CtrlControlAlt plus AltArrow keys plus arrow keys`
Highlight the launcher button on the shelfThen Tab or arrows move along the shelf, Space or Enter opens, Esc leaves.	`ShiftShiftAlt plus AltL plus L`
Move focus between status area, launcher, address bar and page	`CtrlControlBack ← plus Back key`or `CtrlControlForward → plus Forward key`
Highlight the bookmarks bar	`ShiftShiftAlt plus AltB plus B`
Highlight the row with the address bar	`ShiftShiftAlt plus AltT plus T`
Move an app icon in the launcher	`CtrlControlArrow keys plus arrow keys`
Move an app in or out of a folder in the launcher	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftArrow keys plus arrow keys`

Text app#

Action	Chromebook	Copy
New file in a new tab	`CtrlControlN plus N`
New file in a new window	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftN plus N`
Find in the current file	`CtrlControlF plus F`
Open file dialog	`CtrlControlO plus O`
Delete the line	`CtrlControlD plus D`
Indent the line	`CtrlControl] plus right bracket`
Dedent the line	`CtrlControl[ plus left bracket`
Save the file	`CtrlControlS plus S`
Save As	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftS plus S`
Print the file	`CtrlControlP plus P`
Jump to the next file	`CtrlControlTab plus Tab`
Jump to the previous file	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftTab plus Tab`
Close the file	`CtrlControlW plus W`
Close the window	`CtrlControlShift plus ShiftW plus W`
Show or hide the sidebar	`AltAltSpace plus Space bar`
Focus the sidebar	`CtrlControlE plus E`
Zoom in	`CtrlControl= plus equals`
Zoom out	`CtrlControl- plus hyphen`
Reset zoom	`CtrlControl0 plus 0`

Sources (4 official pages)

Everything runs in your browser; searches are not sent anywhere. Shortcuts are checked against Google's Chromebook Help. Browse all free tools.

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This Chromebook keyboard shortcuts list covers ChromeOS from the shortcuts everyone looks for (Ctrl+Show windows for a screenshot, Search+Alt for Caps Lock, Search+L to lock the screen) to the ones that replace keys a Chromebook doesn't have: Search+Left and Search+Right for Home and End, Alt+Backspace for Delete, and Search plus a top-row key for the F-keys. Search by task, or type the keys you're curious about.

Every row was checked on 2026-10-18 against Google's Chromebook Help pages for the US English keyboard. Chromebooks differ: the key where Caps Lock usually sits may show a magnifying glass (Search), a circle (Launcher, or Everything Button) or a Google logo, and newer models add a Quick Insert key. Google says Search and Launcher work the same, so this sheet calls that key Search. With a Windows or Mac keyboard plugged in, use the Windows or Command key instead.

How to use

Read the legend to find the Search/Launcher and Show windows keys on your keyboard.
Search by task ("screenshot", "snap") or keys ("ctrl shift").
Use the chips to show one group, or tick "Essentials only".
Click Copy on a row, or the action name for a link to it.
Print the sheet or save it as a PDF.

Frequently asked questions

How do I take a screenshot on a Chromebook?

Press Ctrl+Show windows for the full screen. Press Ctrl+Shift+Show windows to open Screen capture, where you can capture an area or a window or record the screen. If your keyboard has a Screenshot key, press that. On an external keyboard without a Show windows key, use Ctrl+Shift+F5; on a tablet, press Power and Volume down together. Screenshots are saved to Downloads and copied to the clipboard.

How do I turn on Caps Lock on a Chromebook?

Press Search+Alt (Launcher+Alt on keyboards with a Launcher key). On newer keyboards with a Quick Insert key, Fn+Quick Insert also toggles it. To make the Search key act as Caps Lock permanently, go to Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs and remap it.

Where are Home, End and Delete on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks drop those keys and use combinations: Search+Left for Home and Search+Right for End, Search+Ctrl+Left and Right for the start and end of a document, and Alt+Backspace for forward Delete. Ctrl+Backspace deletes the previous word. Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs lets you choose which keys produce Insert, Delete, Home, End, Page Up and Page Down.

How do I right-click on a Chromebook?

Hold Alt and click, or set it to Search+click in Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs (the "Alt + key behavior" options). From the keyboard alone, Search+Shift+Volume up opens the right-click menu for the highlighted item.

What is the Everything Button or Quick Insert key?

The Everything Button is another name for the Launcher key on some Chromebooks; it does the same job as the Search key. The Quick Insert key on newer keyboards opens a menu for emoji, GIFs, links, Drive files and Help me write. Without that key, press Launcher+F (or Google+F) to open Quick Insert.

How do I see every shortcut on my Chromebook?

Press Ctrl+Search+S. ChromeOS opens its own searchable shortcut list. You can also find it in Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs > View keyboard shortcuts.

The top row: Chromebook keys instead of F1 to F12

Where other laptops have F-keys, a Chromebook has action keys. From the left they usually are Back, Forward (on some models), Refresh, Fullscreen, Show windows, Screenshot (on newer models), screen brightness, keyboard backlight (on backlit models), media keys and volume. They work on their own, without Fn.

To get a real F-key, hold Search and press the key in that position: Search plus the first top-row key is F1, and so on. That's how you use F2 in Google Sheets or F12 for developer tools. Keyboards with fewer than 12 top-row keys can assign F11 and F12 to combinations in Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs > Customize keyboard keys.

Snap windows and use desks

Alt+[ docks the current window on the left half of the screen and Alt+] on the right; Alt+= maximizes and Alt+- minimizes. Alt+Tab switches windows, and the Show windows key shows them all at once.

Desks are ChromeOS virtual desktops. Shift+Search+= creates one, Search+[ and Search+] move to the desk on the left or right, Shift+Search+[ or ] carries the current window with you, and Shift+Search+A puts a window on every desk. Shift+Search plus a number jumps straight to that desk.

Using a Windows or Mac keyboard with a Chromebook

Google's help says the Windows key or the Command key works as the Search/Launcher key, so Win+L locks the screen and Win+Alt toggles Caps Lock. A keyboard without a Show windows key can still open the screenshot tools with Ctrl+Shift+F5.

To swap Ctrl, Alt and Search, or make one of them act as Caps Lock, open Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs and choose Remap keyboard keys. The same page can turn the top-row keys into function keys and set which keys produce Home, End, Page Up and Page Down.

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