Gmail keyboard shortcuts for Mac
60 shortcuts · Updated
These are the default Gmail keyboard shortcuts on a Mac, curated from Google's official Help Center. Gmail is a web app, so they work in any browser on macOS. Important: the single-key shortcuts (archive, reply, the g-then-key jumps) are off by default - turn on Settings, then See all settings, then General, then Keyboard shortcuts on; the Cmd-based compose and formatting shortcuts work regardless.
Nothing matches - try fewer letters, or an action word like "close" or "split".
Or stop looking them up. Super Shortcuts puts the Gmail commands you actually use one hyper key away: hold it, see every command for the app you're in, release a key to run it. No memorizing - the cheat sheet is the shortcut.
Get Super ShortcutsCompose & send8
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| CC | Compose a new message |
| DD | Compose in a new tab |
| Command Return⌘↩ | Send the message |
| Command Shift C⌘⇧C | Add Cc recipients |
| Command Shift B⌘⇧B | Add Bcc recipients |
| Command K⌘K | Insert a link |
| Escape⎋ | Move focus to the latest chat or compose window |
| Shift Escape⇧⎋ | Move focus back to the main window |
Conversation actions17
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| EE | Archive the conversation |
| RR | Reply |
| AA | Reply all |
| FF | Forward |
| Shift R⇧R | Reply in a new window |
| Shift A⇧A | Reply all in a new window |
| SS | Toggle the star (or rotate through superstars) |
| ## | Delete the conversation |
| !! | Report as spam |
| MM | Mute the conversation |
| BB | Snooze the conversation |
| ZZ | Undo the last action |
| Shift I⇧I | Mark as read |
| Shift U⇧U | Mark as unread |
| ]] | Archive the conversation and go to the previous one |
| [[ | Archive the conversation and go to the next one |
| Shift T⇧T | Add the conversation to Tasks |
Navigation & jumping14
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| JJ | Move to the older conversation in the list |
| KK | Move to the newer conversation in the list |
| OO | Open the conversation (Enter also works) |
| UU | Go back to the thread list |
| G, then IGI | Go to the Inbox |
| G, then SGS | Go to Starred conversations |
| G, then BGB | Go to Snoozed conversations |
| G, then TGT | Go to Sent messages |
| G, then DGD | Go to Drafts |
| G, then AGA | Go to All Mail |
| G, then KGK | Go to Tasks |
| G, then LGL | Go to a label |
| G, then NGN | Go to the next page |
| G, then PGP | Go to the previous page |
Selection7
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| XX | Select the conversation |
| *, then A*A | Select all conversations |
| *, then N*N | Deselect all conversations |
| *, then R*R | Select read conversations |
| *, then U*U | Select unread conversations |
| *, then S*S | Select starred conversations |
| *, then T*T | Select unstarred conversations |
Search & menus5
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| // | Put the cursor in the search box |
| .. | Open the More actions menu |
| VV | Open the Move to menu |
| LL | Open the Label as menu |
| ?? | Open the keyboard shortcut help overlay |
Formatting9
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command B⌘B | Bold |
| Command I⌘I | Italics |
| Command U⌘U | Underline |
| Command Shift 7⌘⇧7 | Numbered list |
| Command Shift 8⌘⇧8 | Bulleted list |
| Command Shift 9⌘⇧9 | Quote |
| Command ]⌘] | Indent more |
| Command [⌘[ | Indent less |
| Command \⌘\ | Remove formatting |
Curated from the official Gmail Help: keyboard shortcuts. Defaults only - shortcuts you've remapped will differ.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't Gmail keyboard shortcuts work for me?
The single-key shortcuts are off by default. In Gmail, open Settings → See all settings → General, select Keyboard shortcuts on, and click Save Changes at the bottom. The ⌘-based compose and formatting shortcuts work even without this setting.
How do I see all keyboard shortcuts in Gmail?
Press ? anywhere in Gmail (with shortcuts enabled) to open the full shortcut help overlay. From there you can also jump straight to the setting that enables or customizes them.
What are the most important Gmail shortcuts to learn first?
Start with c to compose, e to archive, r to reply, and j/k to move through the inbox. Those five cover the core triage loop and make everything else feel natural.