Mouse clicks are extremely inefficient, which is why the first thing every Gmail pro learns is how to manage everything using only the keyboard.
When these Gmail keyboard shortcuts become second nature, your productivity will skyrocket. Fortunately, there aren't that many you need to know. The best part is, you can discover the most important Gmail keyboard shortcuts in the cheat sheet below!
FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download The Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet.
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Gmail
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Quick Navigation | |
| G, then A | Go to All Mail |
| G, then C | Go to Contacts |
| G, then D | Go to Drafts |
| G, then I | Go to Inbox |
| G, then K | Go to Tasks |
| G, then S | Go to Starred Conversations |
| G, then T | Go to Sent Messages |
| G, then B | Go to Snoozed Messages |
| G, then L | Go to label... |
| Reading Messages | |
| X | Select conversation |
| R | Reply |
| A | Reply all |
| E | Archive |
| F | Forward |
| M | Mute conversation |
| N | Next message in open conversation |
| P | Previous message in open conversation |
| S | Toggle star |
| Z | Undo last action |
| ! | Report as spam |
| # | Delete |
| , (Comma) | Move focus to toolbar |
| - (Minus) | Mark as not important |
| = (Equals) | Mark as important |
| ; (Semicolon) | Expand entire conversation |
| : (Colon) | Collapse entire conversation |
| [ | Archive conversation and go to previous message |
| ] | Archive conversation and go to next message |
| Shift + A | Reply all in a new window |
| Shift + F | Forward in a new window |
| Shift + I | Mark as read |
| Shift + U | Mark as unread |
| Shift + N | Update conversation |
| Shift + R | Reply in a new window |
| Shift + T | Add conversation to Tasks |
| Composition | |
| C | Compose message |
| Ctrl + K | Insert a link |
| Ctrl + M | Open spelling suggestions |
| Ctrl + Enter | Send |
| Shift + Ctrl + B | Add BCC recipients |
| Shift + Ctrl + C | Add CC recipients |
| Formatting | |
| Ctrl + B | Bold |
| Ctrl + I | Italics |
| Ctrl + U | Underline |
| Ctrl + [ | Indent less |
| Ctrl + ] | Indent more |
| Ctrl + \ | Remove formatting |
| Shift + Ctrl + 7 | Numbered list |
| Shift + Ctrl + 8 | Bulleted list |
| Shift + Ctrl + 9 | Quote |
| Shift + Ctrl + E | Align center |
| Shift + Ctrl + L | Align left |
| Shift + Ctrl + R | Align right |
Discover the Best Gmail Extensions
Once you've mastered these Gmail keyboard shortcuts, you can take your email efficiency one step further by installing some of these Gmail productivity browser extensions. You'll wonder how you ever lived without them!