100 Adobe Illustrator Shortcuts List (Windows/Mac) + PDF

Adobe Illustrator includes hundreds of keyboard shortcuts, but most designers end up using only a small portion of them. The right shortcuts can save a surprising amount of time by reducing repetitive mouse clicks and menu searching.

This guide covers the most useful Adobe Illustrator keyboard shortcuts for both Windows and Mac. The shortcuts are organized by tools and common actions, making it easier to find what you actually use while designing logos, icons, illustrations, and layouts.

Whether you’re just getting started with Illustrator or looking to speed up your existing workflow, this shortcuts list focuses on practical, everyday commands that help you work faster and more efficiently.

Most Used Adobe Illustrator Shortcuts

If you only want the shortcuts that actually get used daily in Illustrator, start with this list. These cover selection, pen work, zoom, saving, grouping, and copying so you’ll feel the speed boost immediately.

Beginner Shortcut Starter Pack

• V (Selection Tool) and A (Direct Selection Tool) are the first two shortcuts you should memorize.
• Use P for Pen Tool if you work with vector paths.
• Use Ctrl/Cmd + Z to undo mistakes instantly while designing.
• Use Ctrl/Cmd + 0 to quickly fit your artboard on screen.

If you’re comparing tools, you may also want to check out my guide on Adobe Illustrator Alternatives.

Function Key Shortcuts (F1 to F12)

These shortcuts mainly open panels like Layers, Brushes, Stroke, Gradient, and more. They are useful if you manage panels often while designing.

Tool Shortcuts (Selection, Drawing, Text)

These shortcuts help you switch tools instantly, which is one of the fastest ways to speed up your Illustrator workflow.

Viewing & Navigation Shortcuts

Use these shortcuts to zoom, pan, and move between documents without breaking your focus.

Painting Objects Shortcuts

Use these shortcuts to control fill, stroke, and gradient modes quickly while working with shapes and artwork.

Working With Type (Text Editing Shortcuts)

These shortcuts help you move through text, select words faster, and format paragraphs while typing inside Illustrator.

Other Useful Illustrator Shortcuts

These shortcuts help with quick selection control, copying while dragging, and hiding/locking artwork when you’re working on complex designs.

Quick Tip: Learn Illustrator Shortcuts Faster

If you want to memorize shortcuts quickly, start with tool shortcuts (V, A, P, T), then add zoom/navigation shortcuts (Spacebar, Ctrl/Cmd + Spacebar). After that, focus on lock/hide shortcuts when working on complex artwork.

Download Adobe Illustrator Shortcuts PDF

If you want a printable version, you can download the Adobe Illustrator shortcuts PDF and keep it on your desktop or phone for quick access.

Adobe Illustrator shortcuts can feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t need to memorize everything. Start with the most used shortcuts like V, A, P, T, and Ctrl/Cmd + Z, and you’ll notice the difference right away.

My suggestion is to pick 5–10 shortcuts you use daily and practice them for a week. Once they become muscle memory, add a few more. That’s the fastest way to work quicker in Illustrator without forcing yourself to learn 100 shortcuts in one day.

If you found this list helpful, save this page or download the PDF so you can quickly reference it whenever you need it.

FAQs About Adobe Illustrator Keyboard Shortcuts

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