72 essential Photoshop shortcuts

Photoshop shortcuts can help speed up your workflow, increase productivity and make your working hours more efficient. That means you'll finish work earlier and have more time to relax. And who doesn't want that?

We all know some Photoshop shortcuts, but there's probably a lot you've never been told about. So in our list below, we've gathered together a ton of great shortcuts to help you in your work. 

Some will help you to control your layers, change your brushes quickly, edit text and also apply quick adjustments. You can also find a number of shortcuts to help you improve your file management, make selections and aid 3D work. If you want to jump ahead to a specific category of shortcuts then click on the relevant link below.

• Photoshop shortcuts: General use
• Photoshop shortcuts: Brushes and filling
• Photoshop shortcuts: Saving and closing
• Photoshop shortcuts: Working with images
• Photoshop shortcuts: 3D work
• Photoshop shortcuts: Viewing
• Photoshop shortcuts: Text
  
  

Meanwhile, if you'd like to learn more about Photoshop, check out our roundup of Photoshop tutorials: whether you're a Photoshop novice or pro, we will have a tutorial to suit you. You can also create brilliant effects with Photoshop actions. Finally, if you work better with a visual aid, we also have a super nifty Photoshop shortcuts cheat sheet.

Photoshop shortcuts: General use

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 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 new layer behind 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 layer with the current foreground or background colour.

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. Sounds 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 top of 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 with in Photoshop.

12. Send layer to bottom of 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.

16. Edit layer style

• MAC AND WINDOWS: Double-click layer

This shortcut gives you quick access to Photoshop's style controls, such as Drop Shadow, Bevel & Emboss and Color Overlay.

Photoshop shortcuts: Selections

17. Reselect

• 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.

18. 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.

19. Load layer transparency as selection

• MAC: Cmd+click layer thumbnail
• WINDOWS: Ctrl+click layer thumbnail

Select all the non-transparent or non-masked areas of a layer.

20. Feather selection

• MAC AND WINDOWS: Shift+F6

Soften the edges of a selection by creating a transition between selected pixels and surrounding area.

21. Open Select & Mask (Refine Edge) dialog box

• MAC: Cmd+Alt+R
• WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+R

Cutting out complex objects is a doddle with Select & Mask.

22. 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.

23. Select bottom layer

• MAC: Opt+,
• WINDOWS: Alt+,

This will select the bottom layer in the Layers panel.

24. Select top layer

• MAC: Opt+.
• WINDOWS: Alt+.

This will select the top layer in the Layers panel.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. Select a colour from an image

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

When working with a Photoshop brush, if you want to sample a colour 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.

Photoshop shortcuts: Brushes and filling

32. Show/Hide Brush panel

• MAC AND WINDOWS: F5

Experiment with different brush types and dynamics in Brush Settings.

33. 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.

34. Fill

• MAC: Shift+F5
• WINDOWS: Shift+F5

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

35. Default foreground/background colour

• MAC AND WINDOWS: D

This is especially useful for masking. Instantly switch to black and white for foreground and background colours.

36. Switch foreground/background colours

• MAC AND WINDOWS: X

Toggle between two colours without having to take your cursor off the image.

37. Increase/decrease brush hardness

• MAC: }/{
• WINDOWS: }/{

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

38. Previous/next brush

• MAC: ,/.
• WINDOWS: ,/.

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

39. First/last brush

• MAC: </>
• WINDOWS: </>

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

40. Toggle airbrush option

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

Simulate spraying painting with Photoshop's Airbrush tool using this helpful shortcut.

Photoshop shortcuts: Saving and closing

41. 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.

42. Close all open documents other than current document

• MAC: Cmd+Alt+P
• WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+P

Tidy your workspace in seconds without getting handcramp from clicking on all those crosses.

43. 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.

Photoshop shortcuts: Working with images

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. Curves

• MAC: Cmd+M
• WINDOWS: Ctrl+M

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

47. Colour Balance

• MAC: Cmd+B
• WINDOWS: Ctrl+B

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

48. Hue/Saturation

• MAC: Cmd+U
• WINDOWS: Ctrl+U

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

49. Desaturate

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

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

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. 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.

53. 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.

54. 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.

55. Content-Aware Move

• MAC AND WINDOWS: Shift+J (cycle through tools)

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

56. 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.

57. 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.

58. Black and white dialogue box

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

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

59. Change image size

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

Set up your image sizes with ease with this quick and simple shortcut.

60. Change canvas size

• MAC: Cmd+Opt+c
• WINDOWS: Ctrl+Alt+c

Create up your canvas size quickly using this nifty shortcut.

Photoshop shortcuts: 3D work

61. 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.

62. 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.

Photoshop shortcuts: Viewing

63. 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.

64. 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.

65. Toggle between screen modes

• MAC AND WINDOWS: F

Handy to know this in case your hand accidentally brushes the F key and you don't know where your toolbars have gone.

66. 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.

67. Zoom out

• MAC: Cmd+-
• WINDOWS: Ctrl+-

Get an insight into how your work will look from afar with this zoom out command.

Photoshop shortcuts: Text

68. Increase/decrease 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.

69. 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.

70. 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.

71. 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.

72. 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 Photoshop shortcut.

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