Let’s agree on one thing when it comes to using Adobe Photoshop: it is not easy to find tools and functions all the time. I have lost count of how many times I have spent a long time looking for a menu I previously worked with. And even after several years of experience, I would still get lost around the menus and tools.
That is a common case with many users since Photoshop is one of the best and most widely used editing software in the world. So developers ensure adding everything one needs to get the best outcome.
And despite all its perks, spotting certain tools, menus, and functions can be challenging. That is why it is best to learn keyboard shortcuts for different options, which I learned eventually. Now I can find almost everything just with a single or a few presses from the keyboard.
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I can tell you about over 150 such shortcuts that will change your experience with Photoshop. But learning them all in one go may drive you crazy. But this article will help you learn 65 amazing Photoshop shortcuts that will help you work like a pro.
Photoshop Shortcuts For Different Devices
Photoshop shortcuts refer to using shortcut commands from the keyboard. Instead of using the mouse or going through the application’s various options or tools, you press certain keys or commands from your keyboard and open those options.
Shortcut commands are extremely helpful, and professional editors can work faster and more efficiently using these commands. But if you are a newbie, it is natural to wonder if the Photoshop shortcut keys work the same for all devices. Will you have to press the same keys regardless of the operating system?
The answer is “kind of, yes”. While most commands may work the same way, certain shortcuts will differ based on your operating system. How so?
Photoshop shortcut keys vary depending on whether you use a Windows or MAC. Because it will create a difference in using certain commands.
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For example, Windows requires pressing the CTRL or Control button on various occasions. On the other hand, if you use a MAC for a similar task, you must press the Command key, which has a ⌘ symbol.
And in some cases, you have to use the Alt or Alter key on Windows. But when you are a MAC user, you will find the same command on the Option key.
Other than that, most Photoshop technic for shortcuts works similarly. All you need to do is memorize as many as you can for your own benefit.
65 Amazing Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts
Photoshop has more keyboard shortcuts than you can think of. Currently, there are more than 150 shortcut commands that can help you with your graphic work.
But I am not going to scare you with them all here today. In the following part, you will find 65 amazing Photoshop shortcuts to make your job more effortless.
Note:- The “+” sign I have used in the article is not used as a shortcut command. Rather, I used the sign as a means to show how the command is combined for use. However, in some cases, the plus sign is used as a Photoshop shortcut key. That is why I have only used the normal plus sign to mean combination and the bolded plus sign to indicate commands.
Getting Started
One of the crucial parts of the Photoshop application is that you must set up the image on your own since it does not offer any other means. But the good thing is there are ways to change the settings, size of the image, and changing backgrounds using simple shortcut commands.
So let’s see which Photoshop shortcut keys will help you get started. And do note that you can press these commands multiple times depending on your required setting and preference.
1. Change The Image Size
Windows: Ctrl (Control) + Alt + i
MAC: Command + Option + i
This shortcut command will help you change the image size.
2. Change The Canvas Size
Windows: Ctrl (Control) + Alt + c
MAC: Command + Option + c
This shortcut command will help you change the Photoshop canvas size.
3. Zoom In
Windows: Ctrl (Control) + +
MAC: Command + Option + +
The bolded plus sign here is a part of the shortcut command. It will help you zoom in and enlarge the image.
4. Zoom Out
Windows: Ctrl (Control) – –
MAC: Command – –
Here also, the plus sign is used as a shortcut command key. This command will help you zoom out the image.
Bonus Shortcut:
Photoshop has a grid system that shows automatically-generated vertical and horizontal lines. These lines help you align the image object to the canvas as a part of the setup. To do that, you can use the following shortcut command.
Windows: Ctrl (Control) + ‘
MAC: Command + ‘
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Choosing The Right Editing Tools
Photoshop has more tools than you can count. While some of these tools are easily accessible from the Toolbar, most of them can only be opened and activated from the drop-down menus under the menu bar panels.
So it is not unusual to struggle to find them often. Not to mention how frustrating and time-consuming it can be. But the good thing is you can open most of these tools with a single click of your key.
5. Path Selection
Windows: A
MAC: You will need the path selection tool for background removal or clipping paths. Simply press “A” from the keyboard and the tool will open.
6. Brush
Windows: b
MAC: b
There is an endless use of the Brush Tool in Photoshop. You can use the shortcut command to open the tool easily.
7. Crop
Windows: c
MAC: c This shortcut command will open the crop tool, which helps crop out unwanted or unnecessary areas of an image.
8. Eraser
Windows: e
MAC: e
If you want to remove unwanted areas or spots from the photo, the Eraser Tool will come in handy.
9. Change Screen Mode
Windows: F
MAC: F
Stop going through the extra hassle of going in and out of the full-screen mode in Photoshop. Now you can use this shortcut Photoshop technic to make it simple and quick.
10. Gradient
Windows: g
MAC: g
You can use this shortcut key to open the Gradient tool option and apply it to your desired area.
11. Hand Tool
Windows: h
MAC: h
Not many people know the use of this handy tool. Using the Hand Tool, you can move your Zoomed image to get to the areas that are out of the frame.
12. Eyedropper
Windows: i
MAC: i
The Eyedropper Tool picks colors from images as samples and helps you add the colors to the Swatch panel for further use.
13. Spot Healing Brush
Windows: j
MAC: j
This command is the quickest way to select the Spot Healing Brush tool and remove spots, small objects, and other flaws from the images.
14. Lasso Tool
Windows: l
MAC: l
You can use this shortcut key command to open the Lasso Tool and make a selection around objects.
15. Rectangular Marquee/Select Tool
Windows: m
MAC: m
Using this shortcut will open the Rectangular Marquee Tool, which is also a selection tool.
16. Dodge Tool
Windows: o
MAC: o
Using the Dodge Tool shortcut will open the tool and allow you to customize the settings from the option bar.
17. Pen Tool
Windows: p
MAC: p
You might want to remember this one well if you work with clipping paths and background removal tasks.
18. Quick Mask Tool
Windows: q
MAC: q
If you want to edit images with the Quick Mask Tool, you can use this shortcut key to open the tool and its settings.
19. Rotate View
Windows: r
MAC: r
Pressing this shortcut command key will open the Rotate View tool’s compass. You can rotate the compass to rotate the image on the canvas.
20. Clone Stamp
Windows: s
MAC: s
What is this tool for? It is highly effective to copy the exact color and details of one part of the image and paste it onto another part.
21. Horizontal Type
Windows: t
MAC: t
This shortcut command is useful if you want to type texts horizontally and change the settings from the option bar.
22. Rectangle Tool
Windows: u
MAC: u
With this shortcut, you can draw rectangle shapes without going through the menu or Toolbar.
23. Pointer
Windows: v
MAC: v
The pointer is also referred to as the Move Tool. You can move it around the Photoshop canvas to make adjustments.
24. Magic Wand
Windows: w
MAC: w
The Magic Wand Tool is yet another selection tool but helps select objects and areas to edit them more independently.
25. Switch Background And Foreground Color
Windows: x
MAC: x
If you want to switch between the image’s background and foreground color, you can do it with ease using this shortcut.
26. Default Foreground And Background Color
Windows: d
MAC: d
Using this shortcut command, you can go back to your default background and foreground color.
27. History Brush
Windows: y
MAC: y
The History Brush tool helps you erase the edit history and restore the previous version of the image.
28. Zoom
Windows: z
MAC: z
I mentioned Zoom In and Zoom Out shortcuts before. However, if you need the Zoom Tool only, you can use this shortcut technic.
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Using The Brush Tool
The Brush Tool is essential and one of the most useful Photoshop tools for editing photos or making corrections. While you can open the tool simply by clicking ‘b’ from your keyboard (Windows and MAC), it still has some other settings and options.
Depending on how sharp you want the brush to be or how fine strokes you want; you can change these settings easily with Photoshop shortcuts. So here are a few you need to learn about for using this tool.
29. Previous Or Next Brush
Windows: , or.
MAC: , or.
To be able to use this shortcut, you must open the Brush Tool either from the menu or by pressing ‘b’ from the keyboard. Then you can select the previous or next brush using these commands.
30. First Or Last Brush Style
Windows: Shift +, or.
MAC: Shift +, or.
Just like selecting the previous or next brush, this shortcut command will help you choose the first or last saved brush style.
31. Precise Crosshair Display
Windows: Caps Lock
MAC: Caps Lock
For both Windows and macOS, you can use the Caps Lock key to display the precise crosshair for the selected brush.
32. Toggle Airbrush Option
Windows: Shift + Alt + p
MAC: Shift + Option + p
When selecting the Toggle Airbrush option, the only difference in the shortcut commands between Windows and MAC is the Alt and Option keys.
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Using Marquee Tools For Selecting And Slicing
Though the Marquee Tool appears rectangular by default, it is a beneficial basic selection tool. With this tool, you can make individual selections to make changes in the entire graphic.
Now, the Marquee Tool works in various ways and requires different tool option selection as you work with it. So here are the Photoshop keyboard shortcuts to help you select them with ease. But before you follow these Photoshop shortcuts, make sure to select the Marquee Tool by pressing ‘m’ from the keyboard.
33. Toggle Between Slice And Slice Selection Tool
Windows: Ctrl (Control)
MAC: Command
If you want to move between the Slice and the Slice Selection Tool, you can use the Keyboard shortcut.
34. Draw Square Slice
Windows: Shift + drag
MAC: Shift + drag
For drawing a square slice, you can use the same Photoshop Keyboard Shortcut command from your Windows or MAC device.
35. Draw Square Slice From the Center
Windows: Shift + Alt + drag
MAC: Shift + Option + drag
If you want to drag the square slice from the center to outward the canvas, you can apply this shortcut command.
36. Draw From the Center
Window: Alt + drag
MAC: Option + drag
This shortcut command allows you to draw from center to outward pretty quickly.
37. Reposition The Slice
Windows: Spacebar + drag
MAC: Spacebar + drag
If you need to reposition the slice when creating one, you can use this Photoshop keyboard command.
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Using Various Bending Options
If you want flawless results from your edited photos, the Blending Tool is a must-use tool. Since this tool has many features, it can help enhance the subject’s appearance and change the outlook of the entire photograph.
Selecting the Blending mode is pretty straightforward. You go to the Layer panel, select Layer Style, and then select the Fill option. You can also open this option by double-clicking on any layer.
You must open the Blending option to be able to use Photoshop shortcuts here and get your work done without the need to move the mouse. But make sure to select ‘v’, the Move Tool, to apply the shortcuts effectively.
38. Pass-Through Blending Mode
Windows: Shift + + or –
MAC: Shift + + or –
Holding the Shift key and pressing + will help you move to the next blending mode. And pressing Shift + – will help you go back to the previous blending mode.
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The following Photoshop shortcuts from the Blending Mode are simple and straightforward. So instead of leaving short explanations, I have listed only the shortcuts here and onward, which pretty much explain themselves.
39. Normal Mode
Windows: Shit + Alt + n
MAC: Shift + Option + n
40. Lighten
Windows: Shift + Alt + g
MAC: Shift + Option + g
41. Darken
Windows: Shift + Alt + k
MAC: Shift + Option + k
42. Multiply
Windows: Shift + Alt + m
MAC: Shift + Option + m
43. Dissolve
Windows: Shift + Alt + i
MAC: Shift + Option + i
44. Hue
Windows: Shift + Alt + u
MAC: Shift + Option + u
45. Saturation
Windows: Shift + Alt + t
MAC: Shift + Option + t
46. Overlay
Windows: Shift + Alt + o
MAC: Shift + Option + o
47. Luminosity
Windows: Shift + Alt + y
MAC: Shift + Option + y
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Editing Layers And Objects
Of course, photo editing involves layer and object modification. So based on the type of modification you need to perform, you can use the following Photoshop shortcut keys.
48. Select All Objects
Windows: Ctrl + a
MAC: Command + a
49. Deselect All Objects
Windows: Ctrl + d
MAC: Command + d
50. Select All Layers
Windows: Ctrl + Alt + a MAC: Command + Option + a
51. Merge All Layers
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + e
MAC: Command + Shift + e
52. Select Top Layer
Windows: Alt +.
MAC: Option + .
53. Select Bottom Layer
Windows: Alt +,
MAC: Option + ,
54. Inverse Selected Subject
Windows: Shift + Ctrl + i
MAC: Shift + Command + i
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Understanding the shortcuts from here on can be a bit more challenging. But remember how I explained that the bolded words and signs are the command keys? The rest are words I have used to help you understand how to use the commands.
55. Create New Layer
Windows: Shift + Ctrl + n
MAC: Shift + Command + n
56. Select the Next Layer (Up/Down)
Windows: Alt + [ or ]
MAC: Option + [ or ]
57. Move Layer (Up/Down)
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + [ or ]
MAC: Command + Shift + [ or ]
58. Move Target Layer (Up/Bottom)
Windows: Ctrl + [ or ]
MAC: Command + [ or ]
59. Group Selected Layer
Windows: Ctrl + g
MAC: Command + g
60. Ungroup Selected Layer
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + g
MAC: Command + Shift + g
61. Merge And Flatten The Selected Layers
Windows: Ctrl + e
MAC: Command + e
62. Combine All Layers
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + Alt + e
MAC: Command + Shift + Option + e
63. Transform The Object (Resizing And Rotating)
Windows: Ctrl + t
MAC: Command + t
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Saving The Task
Your final task will go in vain and become unusable if you do not save it. So here are the time-saving Photoshop shortcuts you will need in the end.
64. Save As
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + s
MAC: Command + Shift + s
65. Save For Device/Web
Windows: Ctrl + Shift + Alt+ s
MAC: Command + Shift + Option + s
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
You will be amazed to see how many shortcuts Photoshop offers simply to add ease and efficiency to your work. If you know them all, working with Photoshop tools will feel like a piece of cake. And if you are a newbie, the 65 amazing Photoshop shortcuts I have listed are enough to help you get started.
These shortcut commands are simple to use but challenging to remember, as there are so many. But you can save this page as a Bookmark on your device so that you can access it quickly whenever you need to work or practice.
