Blender Keyboard Shortcuts
120+ Blender shortcuts for 3D modeling, sculpting, animation, and rendering. Searchable reference for beginners and pros.
Navigation
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Orbit View | |
| Pan View | |
| Zoom In/Out | |
| Front View | |
| Right View | |
| Top View | |
| Back View | |
| Left View | |
| Bottom View | |
| Toggle Perspective / Orthographic | |
| Camera View | |
| Focus on Selected | |
| View All Objects | |
| Set Camera to Current View | |
| Rotate View (Down/Left/Right/Up) |
Selection
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select All / Deselect All | |
| Box Select | |
| Circle Select | |
| Deselect All | |
| Invert Selection | |
| Select Linked (under cursor) | |
| Select All Linked | |
| Add to Selection | |
| Remove from Selection | |
| Grow Selection | |
| Shrink Selection | |
| Select Edge Loop | |
| Select Edge Ring |
Transform
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Grab / Move | |
| Rotate | |
| Scale | |
| Move Along Axis | |
| Rotate Along Axis | |
| Scale Along Axis | |
| Move on XY Plane (exclude Z) | |
| Clear Location | |
| Clear Rotation | |
| Clear Scale | |
| Apply Transform | |
| Duplicate | |
| Duplicate Linked | |
| Edge Slide (Edit Mode) |
Object Mode
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Add Object Menu | |
| Delete Object | |
| Hide Selected | |
| Unhide All | |
| Hide Unselected | |
| Move to Collection | |
| Join Objects | |
| Separate (Edit Mode) | |
| Set Parent | |
| Clear Parent | |
| Mirror Object | |
| Toggle Side Panel (N-Panel) | |
| Toggle Toolbar |
Edit Mode
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle Edit Mode / Object Mode | |
| Vertex Select Mode | |
| Edge Select Mode | |
| Face Select Mode | |
| Extrude | |
| Inset Faces | |
| Loop Cut | |
| Knife Tool | |
| Connect Vertices | |
| Fill / Create Face | |
| Bevel | |
| Bevel Vertices | |
| Rip | |
| Merge Vertices | |
| Edge Menu | |
| Face Menu | |
| Vertex Menu | |
| Recalculate Normals Outside | |
| Recalculate Normals Inside | |
| UV Mapping Menu | |
| Toggle Proportional Editing | |
| Triangulate Faces | |
| Tris to Quads |
Sculpt Mode
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Resize Brush | |
| Adjust Brush Strength | |
| Invert Brush Effect (Subtract) | |
| Smooth Brush | |
| Draw Brush | |
| Grab Brush | |
| Brush Selection Wheel | |
| Mask Menu |
Modifiers
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Add Subdivision Surface (Level 1/2/3) | |
| Add Modifier Menu | |
| Shading Pie Menu | |
| Toggle X-Ray Mode | |
| Toggle Wireframe Overlay | |
| Toggle Rendered View |
General
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Undo | |
| Redo | |
| Save File | |
| Save As | |
| New File | |
| Open File | |
| Render Image | |
| Render Animation | |
| Search Menu (Operator Search) | |
| Quit Blender | |
| Copy Objects | |
| Paste Objects | |
| Play/Pause Animation |
Animation
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Insert Keyframe | |
| Delete Keyframe | |
| Previous Frame | |
| Next Frame | |
| Jump to Start | |
| Jump to End | |
| Jump to Next Keyframe | |
| Jump to Previous Keyframe | |
| Move Playback Range Start/End |
Pro tips
Get a 3-Button Mouse
Blender is built around a 3-button mouse with scroll wheel. If you're on a laptop trackpad, enable 'Emulate 3 Button Mouse' in Preferences → Input to use Alt+Click as MMB.
Master G, R, S First
Grab, Rotate, Scale - these three transform shortcuts plus axis constraints (X/Y/Z) account for 70% of all 3D modeling work. Get these into muscle memory before learning anything else.
Use the Numpad Religiously
The numpad views (1=Front, 3=Right, 7=Top) are essential for precise modeling. If your keyboard lacks a numpad, enable 'Emulate Numpad' in Preferences to use the number row instead.
Learn Edit Mode Shortcuts Separately
Many keys do different things in Object Mode vs Edit Mode (like I = Insert Keyframe vs Inset Face). Practice in one mode at a time to avoid confusion.
Use F3 Search Constantly
Can't remember a shortcut? Press F3 to open Blender's operator search. Type what you want to do and it shows the shortcut. This is the fastest way to discover and learn new shortcuts.
Customize Your Keymap
Go to Edit → Preferences → Keymap to customize shortcuts. You can even switch to an 'Industry Compatible' keymap if you're coming from Maya, 3ds Max, or Cinema 4D.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important Blender shortcuts to learn first?
Start with these essentials: G (Grab/Move), R (Rotate), S (Scale), Tab (Toggle Edit Mode), A (Select All), X (Delete), Shift+A (Add Object), MMB (Orbit), Numpad 1/3/7 (Front/Right/Top views), and Ctrl+Z (Undo). These cover the vast majority of basic Blender workflows.
How do I navigate in Blender without a numpad?
Go to Edit → Preferences → Input and enable 'Emulate Numpad.' This lets you use the regular number keys (1-0) at the top of your keyboard as numpad replacements for view switching. You can also use the gizmo in the top-right corner of the viewport.
Why do shortcuts work differently in Edit Mode vs Object Mode?
Blender uses context-sensitive shortcuts - the same key can do different things depending on your current mode. For example, I inserts a keyframe in Object Mode but insets faces in Edit Mode. E does nothing in Object Mode but extrudes in Edit Mode. Always check which mode you're in (shown in the top-left of the viewport).
Can I use Blender with Maya or 3ds Max shortcuts?
Yes! Go to Edit → Preferences → Keymap and select 'Industry Compatible' from the dropdown. This remaps many shortcuts to match other 3D applications. However, most tutorials use the default Blender keymap, so learning the defaults is recommended long-term.
How do I use Blender on a laptop without a middle mouse button?
Enable 'Emulate 3 Button Mouse' in Edit → Preferences → Input. This lets you Alt+Left Click to orbit, Alt+Shift+Left Click to pan, and Alt+Ctrl+Left Click to zoom. Alternatively, connect an external mouse - it makes a huge difference for 3D work.
What does proportional editing (O key) do?
Proportional editing affects nearby vertices/edges/faces when you transform a selection, creating smooth, organic deformations. Toggle it with O, then scroll the mouse wheel during a transform to adjust the radius. It's essential for organic modeling, terrain sculpting, and character work.
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