Photoshop shortcuts you need to know

Use Photoshop shortcuts to speed up your workflow with tips that cover layering, text, viewing, and image handling.
Photoshop shortcuts are the answer to simple tasks taking forever. Fiddly extra steps can be an issue when using Photoshop, slowing down your workflow, and taking up valuable brain space. Photoshop pros use shortcuts to solve the problem.
Manipulating and arranging layers is simple with these great Photoshop shortcuts

Tutorial

Watch Full Video for Help

01. Show and hide the layers panel

WINDOWS: F7
MAC: F7

Quickly show and hide the Layers panel easily by pressing F7 on your keypad. This will also show and hide the Channels and Paths panels because they are grouped together.

02. Scroll through the Layers

MAC: Option [ ]
WINDOWS: Alt [ ]

To scroll through the layers quickly, hold Alt/Option and use left and right bracket keys [ ] to scroll through: right is up and left is down.

03. Create a New layer

MAC: Shift+Cmd+N
WINDOWS: Shift+Ctrl+N

Get started on your latest project in next to no time with this handy shortcut that instantly whips up a new layer and dialogue box.

04. Create a new layer behind the selected layer

MAC: Ctrl+New Layer icon
WINDOWS: Cmd+New Layer Icon

Mastering the new layer shortcut is a doddle, so once you’re ready to drop in a layer behind it, be sure to use this shortcut.

05. Fill a layer

MAC: Alt+Backspace (foreground) or Cmd+Backspace (background)
WINDOWS: Alt+Delete (foreground) or Ctrl+Delete (background)

This command will fill an empty later with the current foreground or background color.

06. Flatten layers

MAC: Cmd+Alt+Shift+E
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E

Add a new, empty layer to the top of your stack, select it, and use the above command to flatten the layers in an image to sharpen the result. This adds a flattened version of the image to the new layer, but leaves the stacked layers intact too.

07. Merge visible layers

MAC: Cmd+Shift+E
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+E

This command enables you to merge all your existing layers to create one new layer. Beware! Once merged, they’re extremely difficult to separate.

08. Stamp down selected layers

MAC: Cmd+Alt+E
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+E

Once you’ve selected your layers, use this command to merge them into just one layer. To see them merged as a new layer, simply add in the Shift modifier. This is useful if you need to make adjustments later on.

09. New layer via copy

MAC: Cmd+J
WINDOWS: Ctrl+J

Use this command to create a new layer from an existing one. Sound complicated? Give it a go!

10. New layer via cut

MAC: Cmd+Shift+J
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+J

Like creating a new layer via copy, this command will create a new layer with the selected image area in it. The only difference via cut is that it will remove the selected image portion from the original image.

11. Bring layer to the top of the stack

MAC: Cmd+Shift+]
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+]

Here, you can move your preferred layer to the top of the stack of images you’re working within Photoshop.

12. Send layer to the bottom of the stack

MAC: Cmd+Shift+[
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+[

Yep, this is pretty self-explanatory. It does exactly the same as the command above but in the opposite direction.

13. Bring layer forward

MAC: Cmd+]
WINDOWS: Ctrl+]

This Photoshop shortcut enables you to bring any selected image to the front.

14. Send layer back

MAC: Cmd+[
WINDOWS: Ctrl+[

If you decide to change your mind, you can always select the image and send it to the back of the pile.

15. Copy multiple layers

MAC: Shift+Cmd+C
WINDOWS: Shift+Ctrl+C

Draw a selection, then use this command to take every layer into the clipboard, rather than just the current layer selection.
Adding, subtracting, inverting. Getting selections right has never been easier

16. Re-select

MAC: Cmd+Shift+D
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+D

This is a great command for when you accidentally click away from a section. Pressing these keys will have that section reselected in no time.

17. Invert selection

MAC: Cmd+Shift+I
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+I

Select objects around a pre-selected image. This way, you can work around your main focus without losing it.

18. Select all layers

MAC: Cmd+Opt+A
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+A

A perfect command for those times when you need to get everything in sync.

19. Select the bottom layer

MAC: Opt+,
WINDOWS: Alt+,

This will select the bottom layer in the Layers panel.

20. Select the top layer

MAC: Opt+.
WINDOWS: Alt+.

This will select the top layer in the Layers panel.

21. Deselect from the selection area

MAC: Opt+drag
WINDOWS: Alt+drag

If you need to deselect a certain area, sharpish, then hit these keys and drag your mouse.

22. Deselect all but the intersected area

MAC: Shift+Opt+drag
WINDOWS: Shift+Alt+drag

If you don’t want to deselect an area, you can use this shortcut to ensure you’re clicking on what you want.

23. Deselect the entire image

MAC: Cmd+D
WINDOWS: Ctrl+D

If you need to get away from the image, use this Photoshop shortcut to deselect anything that you’ve clicked on.

24. Find the sizing handles

MAC: Cmd+T, then Cmd+0
WINDOWS: Ctrl+T, then Ctrl+0

When pasting a layer or selection into a Photoshop image, and it’s bigger than the current image, it can be difficult to find the sizing handles. This command selects Transform and sizes the image inside the window so you can see the sizing handles.

25. Move a selection

MAC: Spacebar+Marquee tool
WINDOWS: Spacebar+Marquee tool

Want to move a selection easily? Simply choose the Marquee tool, and press and hold the Spacebar. Continue to do so until the selection is in the correct place.

26. Select individual channels

MAC: Cmd+3 (red), 4 (green), 5 (blue)
WINDOWS: Ctrl+3 (red), 4 (green), 5 (blue)

Selecting with Photoshop Channels makes removing a complex object from the background much easier than using other tools. And using this Photoshop shortcut makes the process even simpler.

27. Select a color from an image

MAC: Opt+Brush tool
WINDOWS: Alt+Brush tool

When working with a Photoshop brush, if you want to sample a color from an image, instead of clicking the Eyedropper tool, simply hold the Alt or Option key to switch temporarily. Then let go to return to the Brush tool.
Play with brush sizes and more with these great Photoshop shortcuts

28. Increase/decrease brush size

MAC: ]/[
WINDOWS: ]/[

Getting your brush size just right is one of the most important aspects of Photoshop. Do it with this command.

29. Fill

MAC: Shift+F5
WINDOWS: Shift+F5

Whether you want to fill the selection with the foreground color or with a selected pattern, use this Photoshop shortcut to get the job done quickly.

30. Increase/decrease brush hardness

MAC: }/{
WINDOWS: }/{

Brush hardness is just as important, so get it right with this shortcut.

31. Previous/next brush

MAC: ,/.
WINDOWS: ,/.

Save time and distractions by using these simple commands to swiftly move through the various brushes on offer.

32. First/last brush

MAC: </>
WINDOWS: </>

If you don’t want to have to go through the entire array of Brushes on offer, hit these commands to go back to the start or end.

33. Toggle airbrush option

MAC: Shift+Opt+P
WINDOWS: Shift+Alt+P

Simulate spraying painting with Photoshop’s Airbrush tool using this helpful shortcut.
You’ll save most things. So these Photoshop shortcuts should come in handy.

34. Save for web & devices

MAC: Cmd+Shift+Opt+S
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+Alt+S

Pretty self-explanatory, but if you prefer not to drag your mouse onto a number of options, use this Photoshop shortcut on your keyboard.

35. Close and go to Bridge

MAC: Cmd+Shift+W
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+W

As the name implies, this will close your document and then open up Adobe Bridge, where you can select the next file you wish to work on.
We love Clipping Masks. Does that make us weird? DOES IT?! Ok. Fair enough

36. Levels

MAC: Cmd+L
WINDOWS: Ctrl+L

When editing your images, you’ll be using the Levels box regularly. Save yourself some time with this Photoshop shortcut.

37. Free Transform

MAC: Cmd+T
WINDOWS: Ctrl+T

This command opens Photoshop’s Free Transform tool for resizing, rotating and skewing an image using a draggable outline.

38. Curves

MAC: Cmd+M
WINDOWS: Ctrl+M

This Photoshop shortcut enables you to quickly edit the Curves on an image.

39. Colour Balance

MAC: Cmd+B
WINDOWS: Ctrl+B

This is the perfect Photoshop shortcut to edit the Colour Balance of your images.

40. Hue/Saturation

MAC: Cmd+U
WINDOWS: Ctrl+U

These two powerful Photoshop tools will aid you in the color balance battle, and decrease the amount of crossover.

41. Desaturate

MAC: Cmd+Shift+U
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+U

Convert your color image to grayscale values, leaving the image in the same color mode.

42. Quick image fixes

Auto Tone

MAC: Shift+Cmd+L
WINDOWS: Shift+Ctrl+L

Auto Contrast

MAC: Opt+Shift+Cmd+L
WINDOWS: Alt+Shift+Ctrl+L

Auto Color

MAC: Shift+Cmd+B
WINDOWS: Shift+Ctrl+B

After a quick fix for a photo? While they’re not reliable cure-alls, these tools are usually worth a go for automatically improving your images.

43. Lens correction

MAC: Shift+Cmd+R
WINDOWS: Shift+Ctrl+R

The camera always lies, particularly where lens distortion is involved. Use the lens correction filter to reduce the effect of barrel distortion, pincushion distortion, and vignetting.

44. Adaptive Wide Angle

MAC: Opt+Shift+Cmd+A
WINDOWS: Opt+Shift+Ctrl+A

Wide-angle lenses can bring their own particular distortions, and Photoshop has a filter for this. The Adaptive Wide Angle filter can quickly straighten lines that appear curved in panoramas, or photos taken with fish-eye and wide-angle lenses.

45. Camera Raw Filter

MAC: Shift+Cmd+A
WINDOWS: Shift+Ctrl+A

With older versions of Photoshop, you have to run Adobe Camera Raw as a separate program. But in Photoshop CC it’s available as a filter, enabling you to non-destructively apply sophisticated adjustments to any image type.

46. Content Aware Scale

MAC: Cmd+Shift+Opt+C
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+Alt+C

Scale your image to your preferred state with this super-quick Photoshop shortcut.

47. Content-Aware Move

MAC AND WINDOWS: Shift+J

The latest content-aware tool in Photoshop CC enables you to move objects around in a photograph, and it’ll intelligently fill in the gaps where they used to be.

48. Create clipping mask

MAC: Cmd+Opt+G
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+G

A great way to keep shadows and shading where they belong, the clipping mask tool is basic but useful.

49. Blending modes

MAC: Shift++ or –
WINDOWS: Shift++ or –

Photoshop has a variety of blending modes to create cool effects. Use this command to cycle through each.

50. Black and white dialogue box

MAC: Shift+Cmd+Opt+B
WINDOWS: Shift+Ctrl+Alt+B

Speed up the process of converting color photos to black and white with this Photoshop shortcut, which opens the black and white adjustment dialogue box.

51. Change image size

MAC: Cmd+Opt+i
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+i

Set up your image sizes with ease with this quick and simple shortcut.
Speed up your 3D work with these Photoshop shortcuts

52. Show/Hide polygons

Within Selection

MAC: Opt+Cmd+X
WINDOWS: Alt+Ctrl+X

Reveal All

MAC: Opt+Shift+Cmd+X
WINDOWS: Opt+Shift+Ctrl+X

If you’re working with 3D assets, use this option to view the polygons that make up your 3D models.

53. Render

MAC: Opt+Shift+Cmd+R
WINDOWS: Alt+Shift+Ctrl+R

Once you’re happy with your 3D model, use this Photoshop shortcut to create a final render, and create the highest quality version for output to web, print, or animation.
Just how sharp is that pic of a knight? Only one way to tell: CMD+OPT+0, baby!

54. View actual pixels

MAC: Cmd+Opt+0
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+0

Viewing an image in Photoshop in actual pixels gives you the chance to see each pixel individually – ensuring your work is perfect.

55. Fit on screen

MAC: Cmd+0
WINDOWS: Ctrl+0

This Photoshop shortcut is a great way to view your work in all its glory on screen.

56. Zoom in

MAC: Cmd++
WINDOWS: Ctrl++

If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty of an image, zoom right in with this Photoshop shortcut command.

57. Zoom out

MAC: Cmd+-
WINDOWS: Ctrl+-

Get an insight into how your work will look from afar with this zoom-out command.
Text options are a pain to find in Photoshop because everyone uses these

58. Increase/decrease the size of selected text by 2pts

MAC: Cmd+Shift+>/<
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+>/<

Experiment with text in Photoshop by using this command to change its size by 2pts.

59. Increase/decrease size of selected text by 10pts

MAC: Cmd+Option+Shift->/<
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+Shift+>/<

This Photoshop shortcut works the same as the command above, but it’s by 10pts this time.

60. Increase/decrease kerning or tracking

MAC: Opt+right/left arrow
WINDOWS: Alt+right/left arrow

Adjust the space between your text in Photoshop with this handy keyboard command.

61. Align text left/centre/right

MAC: Cmd+Shift+L/C/R
WINDOWS: Ctrl+Shift+L/C/R

A great way to experiment with the alignment of your text, this Photoshop shortcut will enable you to do it quickly.

62. Show/Hide selection on selected type

MAC: Cmd+H
WINDOWS: Ctrl+H

Speed up the process of selecting elements on type with this easy-to-remember shortcut.

Must-Know Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts!

The following are 22 of my most commonly used Photoshop Keyboard shortcuts.

These are simple commands that are pretty easy to pull off, and they will certainly speed up your productivity and workflow.
Save As: Command Shift “S”
Save for Web: Command Shift Option “S”
Undo: Command “Z”
Step Back: Command Option “Z”
Duplicate: Command “J”
Duplicate all visible Layers: Command Shift Option “E”
Hide Extras: Command “H”
Full-screen: “F”
Default Colors: D (black and white)
Flip Foreground and Background colors: “X”
Hand tool while in another tool: Hold Spacebar
Fill with Background color: Command Delete
Fill with Foreground color: Option Delete
Open the Fill dialog box: Shift Delete
Decrease/Increase Brush Size: [ or ]
Deselect: Command “D”
Restore Last Selection: Shift Command “D”
Move tool while in painting tool: hold Command
Eyedropper while in any paint tool: hold Option
Cross-Hair Cursor on any painting tool: Caps Lock
Lock transparent pixels: / (backslash)
Commit edits when typing: Command Return

Number Pad Keyboard Shortcuts!

Although the number pad pictured to the right is from a Mac Keyboard, all of the Photoshop keyboard shortcuts will work for Windows as well.

Layer Opacity & Tool Opacity:

10% : 1 20% : 2 30% : 3
40% : 4 50% : 5 60% : 6
70% : 7 80% : 8 90% : 9
100% : 0

Do a combination of keys for a specific percentage. (i.e. 1 and 2 for 12% opacity)
Flow: Shift (and same as above)
Fit To Screen: Command 0
Actual Pixels (100%): Command 1
Load Channel as a selection: Option Command 3 (red), 4 (green), 5 (blue)

Arrow & “Other Keys” Keyboard Shortcuts!

The Arrow & the “other” keys are found in between the “typewriter” keys and the numeric keypad. These Photoshop keyboard shortcuts are used mostly for moving objects or moving the screen to a different point.
When the Move tool is active press any of the arrow keys to move 1 pixel in that direction. Hold Shift to move 10 pixels at a time.
If the Move tool is not active hold Command and then tap on the arrow keys, and hold shift to move 10 pixels at a time.
Move duplicate of selection 1 px: Command Option (any of the 4 arrow keys)
Move duplicate of selection 10 px: Command Option Shift (any of the 4 arrow keys) “Other” Keys:

Other” Keys:

Move view to upper-left corner: Home
Move view to lower-right corner: End
Scroll up 1 Screen: Page Up
Scroll down 1 screen: Page Down
Scroll left 1 screen: Command Page Up
Scroll right 1 screen: Command Page Down
(Hold Shift in any of the four above to move by 10 units)

Painting Keyboard Shortcuts!

The Painting Photoshop keyboard shortcuts work with any painting or brush tools.
Fill with background-color: Command Delete
(Shift Command Delete to fill only opaque pixels)
Fill with foreground color: Option Backspace
(Shift Option Delete to fill only opaque pixels)
Fill dialog box: Shift Backspace
Sample as background color: Option (w/ Eyedropper)
Move tool while in any painting tool: hold Command
Eyedropper while in any paint tool: hold Option
Cross-Hair cursor: Caps Lock
Decrease/Increase Brush Size: [ or ]
Decrease/Increase Hardness of Brush: Shift [ or Shift ]
Switch between preset Brushes: < or >
Erase to History source state: Option Eraser Tool
Cycle through blend modes: Shift + or Shift –

Selection Keyboard Shortcuts!

Select All: Command + A
Select all Opaque Pixels: Command-click on Layer Thumbnail
Inverse: Shift + Command + I
Deselect: Command + D
Restore Last Selection: Command + Shift + D
Feather Selection: Shift + F6
Draw Marquee from Center: Hold Option
Add to a Selection: Shift
Subtract from a Selection: Option
Intersect with a Selection: Shift-Option
Move Selection (in 1-pixel Increments): Arrow Keys
Move Selection (in 10-pixel Increments): Shift Arrow Keys
Move Marquee while drawing selection: Hold Space
Select layer luminosity: Command Option Shift ~ (2 on Windows)

Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts for Type!

Align Center: Command + Shift + C
Align Left: Command + Shift + L
Align Right: Command + Shift + R
Justify par., left aligns last line: Command + Shift + J
Justify par., force the last line: Command + Shift + F
Justify paragraph: Command + Shift + F
Bold / Faux Bold: Command + Shift + B
Italic / Faux Italic: Command + Shift + I
Underline: Command + Shift + U
Small Caps: Command + Shift + H
Show Hide Selection: Command + H
Auto leading: Command + Shift + Option + A
0 for tracking: Command + Control + Shift + Q
All Caps (on/off): Command + Shift + K
Hyphenation (on/off): Command + Option + Shift + H

Blend Mode Keyboard Shortcuts!

Blending Modes have shortcuts as well! You don’t have to memorize them all. Just the ones you use most often.
Cycle through blending modes: Shift + or Shift –
Normal: Shift + Option + N
Dissolve: Shift +Option + I
Behind (Brush tool only): Shift + Option + Q
Clear (Brush tool only): Shift + Option + R
Darken: Shift + Option + K
Multiply: Shift + Option + M
Color Burn: Shift + Option + B
Linear Burn: Shift + Option + A
Lighten: Shift + Option + G
Screen: Shift + Option + S
Color Dodge: Shift + Option + D
Linear Dodge: Shift + Option + W
Overlay: Shift + Option + O
Soft Light: Shift + Option + F
Hard Light: Shift + Option + H
Vivid Light: Shift + Option + V
Linear Light: Shift + Option + J
Pin Light: Shift + Option + Z
Hard Mix: Shift + Option + L
Difference: Shift + Option + E
Exclusion: Shift + Option + X
Hue: Shift + Option + U
Saturation: Shift + Option + T
Color: Shift + Option + C
Luminosity: Shift Option Y

Other Useful Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts!

Switch between open documents: Command-Tab
Redo Last Filter: Command + F
Opens Last Filter Dialog Box: Command + Option + F

Reset Dialog Box: Hold Option, Cancel turns into Reset {alertInfo}

Repeat last Transformation: Command + Shift + T
Highlight Fields in Options bar: (n/a for all tools) Enter
Canvas Size Dialog Box: Command + Option + C
Image Size Dialog Box: Command + Option + I
Show/hide panels and Toolbar: Tab
Show/hide panels: Shift + Tab
Don’t Snap object edge while moving: Hold Control
Hide all other layers: Option-click on the visibility icon
Change the range of the Dodge or Burn Tools:
(Dodge or Burn Tool must be active)
Shadows: Shift + Option + S
Midtones: Shift + Option + M
Highlights: Shift + Option + H
Desaturate Sponge tool: Shift + Option + D
Saturate Sponge tool: Shift + Option + S
The threshold for bitmap images: Shift + Option + N
Keyboard Shortcuts panel: Command + Option + Shift + K
To check or set your own custom shortcuts
Blur Gallery (Field, Iris, Tilt-Shift)
Temporarily hide on-canvas UI: “H”
Temporarily show blur mask: “M”

Liquify

Load Last Mesh: “M”
Mirror Tool: “X”
Crop Tool
Commit crop: Return
Cancel crop: “Esc”
Switch crop box orientation (portrait or landscape): “X”
Reset crop box: Backspace or Delete
Hide and show cropped area: /
Create a new crop box: Shift Drag
Constrain proportions: Shift-drag corner handle
Invoke Straighten tool: Command
Prevent crop box from shrinking: Command rotate
Temporarily disable snap to edge: Command drag
Cycle overlay options: “O”
Cycle overlay orientation: Shift + O
Front Image (Crop tool & Perspective Crop tool): “I” (Creative Cloud only)

Print

Clear print settings: hold spacebar while selecting
File > Print.
Adaptive Wide AngleTool Shortcuts
Constraint tool: “C”
Polygon Constraint tool: “Y”
Move tool: “M”
Hand tool: “H”
Zoom tool: “Z”

Control shortcuts

Preview: “P”
Show Constraint: “W”
Show Mesh: “E”
Correction: “T”
Scale: “S”
Focal Length: “F”
Crop Factor: “R”
As Shot: “A”

Hidden shortcuts not visible in the interface

Toggle transparent matte: “L”
Temporary zoom: “X”
Revert the last-added polygon corner: “E”