AutoCAD Shortcut Keys – Complete List for Windows & Mac (2026)
AutoCAD shortcut keys are one of the fastest ways to dramatically cut your drafting time. Instead of reaching for the menu or toolbar on every action, a single keystroke gets the job done and across a full workday, those seconds add up to hours saved. Whether you are a student just starting out or an experienced drafter looking to sharpen your workflow, mastering AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts is one of the most practical skills you can build.
If you’re evaluating whether AutoCAD is the right tool for your workflow, see our guide to the best AutoCAD alternatives before committing.
This complete guide covers every major AutoCAD shortcut key for both Windows and Mac including Ctrl key combos, function key toggles, one-key command aliases, drawing and editing commands, dimensioning shortcuts, and layer management hotkeys. You can also download the full AutoCAD shortcut keys PDF at the bottom of this page for easy reference at your desk.
10 Most Important AutoCAD Shortcuts to Learn First
If you are new to AutoCAD, start with these ten shortcuts. They cover the actions you will use in almost every drafting session, and mastering them first will give you an immediate boost in speed.
| # | Shortcut | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ctrl + S | Save drawing | Prevents losing work use it constantly |
| 2 | Ctrl + Z | Undo last action | Instantly reverses mistakes |
| 3 | Ctrl + Y | Redo | Restores an undone action |
| 4 | Ctrl + C | Copy objects | Copies selected objects to clipboard |
| 5 | Ctrl + V | Paste objects | Pastes clipboard objects into drawing |
| 6 | F3 | Toggle Object Snap | Snaps cursor to precise geometry points essential for accuracy |
| 7 | F8 | Toggle Ortho mode | Locks movement to horizontal/vertical critical for straight lines |
| 8 | Ctrl + N | New drawing | Opens a new drawing tab |
| 9 | Ctrl + P | Print/Plot | Opens the plot dialog |
| 10 | ESC | Cancel command | Exits any active command immediately |
Once these feel automatic, work your way through the full lists below.
Ctrl Key Shortcuts
Ctrl key shortcuts are the backbone of AutoCAD workflow management. They handle everything from file operations to clipboard actions and palette toggling.
File and Drawing Management
| Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| New drawing | Ctrl + N | Cmd + N |
| Open drawing | Ctrl + O | Cmd + O |
| Save drawing | Ctrl + S | Cmd + S |
| Save As | Ctrl + Shift + S | Cmd + Shift + S |
| Print / Plot | Ctrl + P | Cmd + P |
| Exit AutoCAD | Ctrl + Q | Cmd + Q |
| Close current drawing | Ctrl + W | Cmd + W |
| Switch to next drawing tab | Ctrl + Tab | Ctrl + Tab |
| Switch to previous drawing tab | Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Ctrl + Shift + Tab |
Edit and Clipboard
| Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Select all objects | Ctrl + A | Cmd + A |
| Copy objects | Ctrl + C | Cmd + C |
| Copy with base point | Ctrl + Shift + C | Cmd + Shift + C |
| Cut objects | Ctrl + X | Cmd + X |
| Paste objects | Ctrl + V | Cmd + V |
| Paste as block | Ctrl + Shift + V | Cmd + Shift + V |
| Undo last action | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
| Redo last action | Ctrl + Y | Cmd + Y |
| Find and Replace | Ctrl + F | Cmd + F |
| Cancel current command | Ctrl + [ | Cmd + [ |
Palettes and Panels
| Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Screen (toggle full view) | Ctrl + 0 | Cmd + 0 |
| Properties palette | Ctrl + 1 | Cmd + 1 |
| DesignCenter palette | Ctrl + 2 | Cmd + 2 |
| Tool Palettes | Ctrl + 3 | Cmd + 3 |
| Sheet Set Manager | Ctrl + 4 | Cmd + 4 |
| DBConnect Manager | Ctrl + 6 | Cmd + 6 |
| Markup Set Manager | Ctrl + 7 | Cmd + 7 |
| Quick Calculator | Ctrl + 8 | Cmd + 8 |
| Command Line (toggle) | Ctrl + 9 | Cmd + 9 |
| Hide all palettes | Ctrl + Shift + H | Cmd + Shift + H |
Toggle Drawing Modes
| Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle coordinate display | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D |
| Toggle grid | Ctrl + G | Cmd + G |
| Toggle running object snaps | Ctrl + F | Cmd + F |
| Toggle Pick Style | Ctrl + H | Cmd + H |
| Toggle Infer Constraints | Ctrl + Shift + I | Cmd + Shift + I |
Function Key (F-Key) Toggles
Function keys in AutoCAD act as on/off toggles for the most-used drawing modes. Pressing F3, for example, toggles Object Snap one of the most critical settings for drawing accurately. Memorising the function keys you use most is the single fastest way to speed up daily drafting.
| Key | Action | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Help | Opens the AutoCAD Help documentation |
| F2 | Text screen | Expands or collapses the command history window |
| F3 | Object Snap toggle | Turns Object Snap on/off lets your cursor snap to endpoints, midpoints, centres, and other precise geometry points |
| F4 | 3D Object Snap toggle | Toggles 3D snap modes for working with 3D geometry |
| F5 | Isoplane toggle | Cycles between Left, Top, and Right isometric planes for isometric drawing |
| F6 | Dynamic UCS toggle | Turns Dynamic UCS on/off allows you to draw directly on the face of a 3D object regardless of the current UCS position |
| F7 | Grid display toggle | Turns the background grid dots or lines on or off |
| F8 | Ortho mode toggle | Restricts cursor movement to horizontal or vertical only indispensable for drawing straight lines and aligning objects |
| F9 | Snap mode toggle | Forces the cursor to jump to defined snap increment points in the drawing area |
| F10 | Polar tracking toggle | Enables angular tracking at defined increment angles (e.g. every 15°, 30°, 45°) |
| F11 | Object Snap Tracking toggle | Tracks snap points like endpoints and midpoints so you can align to them even when not directly on the geometry |
| F12 | Dynamic Input toggle | Enables on-cursor tooltip input lets you type coordinates directly next to your cursor |
F8 (Ortho) and F3 (Object Snap) are the two toggles most drafters use hundreds of times per session. If you only memorise two F-keys, make it those.
One-Key Command Aliases
AutoCAD command aliases let you type a single letter or short abbreviation in the command line instead of the full command name. For example, typing L and pressing Enter starts the LINE command immediately far faster than clicking the toolbar icon.
Most Used One-Key Shortcuts
| Alias | Full Command | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| L | LINE | Draws straight line segments |
| C | CIRCLE | Draws a circle |
| A | ARC | Draws an arc |
| PL | PLINE | Draws a polyline (connected line/arc segments) |
| REC | RECTANG | Draws a rectangle |
| E | ERASE | Deletes selected objects |
| M | MOVE | Moves selected objects |
| CO | COPY | Copies selected objects |
| RO | ROTATE | Rotates objects around a base point |
| SC | SCALE | Scales objects up or down |
| MI | MIRROR | Creates a mirror image of objects |
| TR | TRIM | Trims objects to a cutting edge |
| EX | EXTEND | Extends objects to meet a boundary |
| O | OFFSET | Creates a parallel copy of a line, arc, or polyline |
| F | FILLET | Adds a rounded corner between two objects |
| CHA | CHAMFER | Adds a bevelled (angled) corner between two objects |
| X | EXPLODE | Breaks apart blocks, polylines, or arrays into individual objects |
| B | BLOCK | Creates a block definition from selected objects |
| I | INSERT | Inserts an existing block into the drawing |
| H | HATCH | Fills an enclosed area with a hatch pattern or solid fill |
| T | MTEXT | Creates multiline text |
| DT | TEXT | Creates single-line text |
| D | DIMSTYLE | Opens the Dimension Style Manager |
| LA | LAYER | Opens the Layer Properties Manager |
| LT | LINETYPE | Opens the Linetype Manager |
| Z | ZOOM | Zooms the view in or out |
| P | PAN | Pans the view without changing zoom level |
| RE | REGEN | Regenerates the drawing display |
| UN | UNITS | Opens the Drawing Units dialog |
| OP | OPTIONS | Opens the AutoCAD Options/Preferences dialog |
Drawing Command Shortcuts
These are the full A–Z command aliases AutoCAD uses for drawing objects. You type these in the command line and press Enter or Space to activate them.
| Alias | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | ARC | Creates an arc |
| AA | AREA | Calculates the area and perimeter of objects or defined areas |
| ADC | ADCENTER | Opens DesignCenter for managing blocks, xrefs, and hatch patterns |
| AL | ALIGN | Aligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D |
| AP | APPLOAD | Loads an application or script |
| AR | ARRAY | Creates rectangular, polar, or path arrays of objects |
| B | BLOCK | Creates a block definition |
| BO | BOUNDARY | Creates a region or polyline from an enclosed area |
| BR | BREAK | Breaks an object between two specified points |
| C | CIRCLE | Creates a circle |
| CHA | CHAMFER | Bevels the edges of objects with a straight cut |
| COL | COLOR | Sets the colour for new objects |
| CO | COPY | Copies objects a specified distance in a specified direction |
| CYL | CYLINDER | Creates a 3D solid cylinder |
| DIV | DIVIDE | Places evenly spaced points or blocks along an object |
| DO | DONUT | Creates a filled circle or wide ring |
| DT | TEXT | Creates single-line text |
| E | ERASE | Removes objects from a drawing |
| EL | ELLIPSE | Creates an ellipse or elliptical arc |
| EX | EXTEND | Extends objects to meet the edges of other objects |
| F | FILLET | Adds a rounded corner between two objects |
| GD | GRADIENT | Fills an enclosed area with a gradient fill |
| H | HATCH | Fills an enclosed area with a hatch pattern or solid fill |
| I | INSERT | Inserts a block or drawing file |
| J | JOIN | Joins similar objects into a single object |
| L | LINE | Creates straight line segments |
| LE | LEADER | Creates a leader line with annotation |
| LEN | LENGTHEN | Lengthens or shortens objects |
| LT | LINETYPE | Loads, sets, or modifies linetypes |
| M | MOVE | Moves objects from one location to another |
| ME | MEASURE | Places points or blocks at measured intervals along an object |
| MI | MIRROR | Creates a mirror image of objects across a line |
| ML | MLINE | Creates multiple parallel lines |
| MT / T | MTEXT | Creates multiline text |
| O | OFFSET | Creates a concentric circle, parallel line, or parallel curve |
| PL | PLINE | Creates a 2D polyline |
| PO | POINT | Creates a point object |
| POL | POLYGON | Creates an equilateral closed polygon (3 to 1024 sides) |
| R | REDRAW | Refreshes the display of the current viewport |
| REC | RECTANG | Creates a rectangular polyline |
| REG | REGION | Creates a region object from selected objects |
| RO | ROTATE | Rotates objects around a base point |
| S | STRETCH | Stretches objects crossed by or enclosed in a selection window |
| SC | SCALE | Enlarges or reduces objects |
| SHA | SHADEMODE | Sets the shading mode for the current viewport |
| SKE | SKETCH | Creates a series of freehand line segments |
| SL | SLICE | Slices a set of solids with a plane |
| SP | SPELL | Checks spelling in the drawing |
| SPL | SPLINE | Creates a smooth curve through or near specified points |
| ST | STYLE | Creates or modifies named text styles |
| T | MTEXT | Creates multiline text (paragraph text) |
| TR | TRIM | Trims objects to meet the edges of other objects |
| W | WBLOCK | Writes objects or a block to a new drawing file |
| WE | WEDGE | Creates a 3D solid wedge |
| X | EXPLODE | Breaks a compound object into its component objects |
| XA | XATTACH | Attaches an external DWG file as an xref |
| XL | XLINE | Creates an infinite construction line |
| XR | XREF | Opens the External References palette |
| Z | ZOOM | Increases or decreases the magnification of the view |
Editing and Modify Shortcuts
These shortcuts cover the most-used modify operations. When combined with selection, they form the core of everyday drawing editing in AutoCAD.
| Alias | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AL | ALIGN | Aligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D |
| AR | ARRAY | Creates multiple copies of objects in a rectangular, polar, or path pattern |
| BR | BREAK | Breaks a selected object between two points |
| CHA | CHAMFER | Adds a bevelled corner between two lines or edges |
| CO | COPY | Copies selected objects |
| E | ERASE | Deletes selected objects from the drawing |
| ED | DDEDIT | Edits text, dimension text, and attribute definitions |
| EX | EXTEND | Extends objects to meet a boundary edge |
| F | FILLET | Rounds corners between two lines, arcs, or circles |
| G | GROUP | Groups selected objects together |
| J | JOIN | Joins collinear lines or arcs into a single object |
| LEN | LENGTHEN | Changes the length of an object |
| M | MOVE | Moves objects to a different location |
| MI | MIRROR | Creates a mirrored copy of objects |
| O | OFFSET | Creates a parallel copy at a specified distance |
| PE | PEDIT | Edits polylines and 3D polygon meshes |
| RO | ROTATE | Rotates objects around a specified base point |
| S | STRETCH | Stretches or moves objects |
| SC | SCALE | Scales objects proportionally or non-proportionally |
| TR | TRIM | Trims objects back to a cutting edge |
| X | EXPLODE | Explodes compound objects into component parts |
Useful Modify Command Combos
- Trim + Extend combo: Start the TRIM command (TR), then hold Shift while clicking to switch to Extend mode without typing a new command.
- Fillet at zero radius: Start FILLET (F), then hold Shift while clicking two lines to create a sharp corner temporarily overrides the radius to 0.
- Mirror without deleting source: After activating MIRROR (MI), type N when asked “Delete source objects?” to keep the original.
Dimensioning Shortcuts
Accurate dimensioning is critical in AutoCAD, and knowing the shortcut aliases saves significant time when annotating drawings.
| Alias | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| D | DIMSTYLE | Opens the Dimension Style Manager to create or edit styles |
| DAL | DIMALIGNED | Creates an aligned linear dimension |
| DAN | DIMANGULAR | Creates an angular dimension between two lines |
| DAR | DIMARC | Creates an arc length dimension |
| DBA | DIMBASELINE | Creates a dimension from the baseline of the previous dimension |
| DCE | DIMCENTER | Creates centre marks or centrelines on circles and arcs |
| DCO | DIMCONTINUE | Creates a chained dimension continuing from the previous one |
| DDI | DIMDIAMETER | Creates a diameter dimension for a circle or arc |
| DED | DIMEDIT | Edits dimension text and extension lines |
| DI | DIST | Measures the distance and angle between two points |
| DJO | DIMJOGGED | Creates a jogged radius dimension for large circles |
| DLI | DIMLINEAR | Creates a horizontal or vertical linear dimension |
| DOR | DIMORDINATE | Creates an ordinate (X/Y coordinate) dimension |
| DOV | DIMOVERRIDE | Overrides dimension system variable values |
| DRA | DIMRADIUS | Creates a radius dimension for a circle or arc |
| DST | DIMSTYLE | Opens the Dimension Style Manager |
| QD | QDIM | Quickly creates a series of dimensions |
Layer Management Shortcuts
Layers are fundamental to organised AutoCAD drawings. These shortcuts let you manage layers without leaving the command line.
| Alias / Shortcut | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| LA | LAYER | Opens the Layer Properties Manager the primary tool for creating, editing, and managing layers |
| LT | LINETYPE | Opens the Linetype Manager |
| LW | LWEIGHT | Opens the Lineweight Settings dialog |
| LAON | LAYON | Turns all layers on |
| LAOFF | LAYOFF | Turns off the layer of a selected object |
| LAFR | LAYFRZ | Freezes the layer of a selected object |
| LATH | LAYTHW | Thaws all frozen layers |
| LALCK | LAYLCK | Locks the layer of a selected object |
| LAULCK | LAYULK | Unlocks the layer of a selected object |
| LAISO | LAYISO | Isolates the layer of selected objects (turns off all others) |
| LAUNISO | LAYUNISO | Reverses the last LAYISO operation |
| LAMC | LAYMCUR | Makes the layer of a selected object the current layer |
| Ctrl + 1 | PROPERTIES | Opens the Properties palette where you can change an object’s layer |
AutoCAD Mac Shortcuts
AutoCAD for Mac uses the Command (⌘) key in place of Ctrl for most shortcuts. Here are the most important Mac-specific shortcuts:
| Action | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New drawing | Cmd + N |
| Open drawing | Cmd + O |
| Save | Cmd + S |
| Save As | Cmd + Shift + S |
| Print/Plot | Cmd + P |
| Undo | Cmd + Z |
| Redo | Cmd + Y |
| Copy | Cmd + C |
| Paste | Cmd + V |
| Cut | Cmd + X |
| Select all | Cmd + A |
| Close drawing | Cmd + W |
| Object Snap toggle | Fn + F3 |
| Ortho toggle | Fn + F8 |
| Grid toggle | Fn + F7 |
| Dynamic UCS | Fn + F6 |
| Polar tracking | Fn + F10 |
| Dynamic Input | Fn + F12 |
| Properties palette | Cmd + 1 |
| DesignCenter palette | Cmd + 2 |
| Command Line toggle | Cmd + 9 |
| Clean Screen | Cmd + 0 |
| Online Help | Cmd + / |
| Find and Replace | Cmd + F |
| Zoom in | Cmd + + |
| Zoom out | Cmd + – |
| Colour palette | Shift + Cmd + C |
| Check spelling | Shift + Cmd + ; |
| Toggle Object Snap Tracking | Shift + Cmd + T |
| Toggle Infer Constraints | Shift + Cmd + I |
Note on Mac function keys: On a Mac laptop, you may need to hold the Fn key while pressing F1–F12, depending on your keyboard settings. If your F-keys are mapped to brightness, volume, and media controls by default, go to System Settings → Keyboard and enable “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” so AutoCAD receives them correctly.
How to Customise AutoCAD Shortcuts
AutoCAD lets you create your own keyboard shortcuts and modify existing ones using the CUI (Customize User Interface) editor. This is useful when a default shortcut conflicts with your workflow, or when you want to assign a shortcut to a command that doesn’t have one.
How to create a custom shortcut in AutoCAD (Windows)
- Open the Manage tab on the Ribbon.
- Click User Interface in the Customization panel this opens the CUI editor.
- In the Customization Files box on the left, expand Keyboard Shortcuts.
- In the Command List box at the bottom, search for the command you want to assign a shortcut to.
- Drag the command up into the Keyboard Shortcuts section.
- Click the new shortcut entry to select it, then look at the Properties panel on the right.
- Click in the Keys field and press the key combination you want to assign.
- Click Apply and then OK to save.
How to modify command aliases (acad.pgp file)
Command aliases (single-letter shortcuts like L for LINE) are stored in the acad.pgp file. You can edit this file directly to add or change aliases.
- In the command line, type ALIASEDIT and press Enter (available in full AutoCAD not AutoCAD LT).
- In the dialog, click Add to create a new alias or select an existing one to edit.
- Type your preferred alias in the Alias field and select the target command from the drop-down.
- Click OK to save.
Alternatively, go to Express Tools → Command Aliases to access the same editor visually.
Download AutoCAD Shortcut Keys PDF
Download AutoCAD Shortcut Keys PDF
The PDF includes all Ctrl shortcuts, function key toggles, and one-key command aliases in a printable format ideal for keeping beside your workstation while you build up your shortcut muscle memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important AutoCAD shortcut key?
The most essential AutoCAD shortcut is Ctrl + S (Save). Beyond file management, F3 (Object Snap toggle) and F8 (Ortho mode) are the two function key shortcuts that most affect drawing accuracy and should be committed to memory first.
What does pressing F8 do in AutoCAD?
F8 toggles Ortho mode on and off. When Ortho mode is active, your cursor can only move horizontally or vertically this makes drawing perfectly straight lines and aligning objects much easier. Press F8 again to turn it off and allow free-angle movement.
What is the shortcut key for Undo in AutoCAD?
Press Ctrl + Z to undo the last action in AutoCAD. You can press it multiple times to undo several actions in sequence. To redo an undone action, press Ctrl + Y.
How do I open the AutoCAD shortcut keys PDF?
You can download our free AutoCAD shortcut keys PDF at the above of FAQs.
What is the shortcut for Save As in AutoCAD?
Press Ctrl + Shift + S on Windows (or Cmd + Shift + S on Mac) to open the Save As dialog and save your drawing under a new name or location.
How do I toggle Object Snap in AutoCAD?
Press F3 to toggle Object Snap (OSNAP) on or off. When Object Snap is active, your cursor automatically snaps to precise geometry points such as endpoints, midpoints, centres, and intersections this is critical for accurate drafting.
What is the command alias for LINE in AutoCAD?
Type L in the command line and press Enter or Space to start the LINE command. This is the fastest way to begin drawing a line without using the toolbar or ribbon.
How do I reset AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts to default?
Open the CUI editor (Manage tab → User Interface), then click the Transfer tab at the top. Load the default acad.cuix file from the right panel and transfer the Keyboard Shortcuts group back to your active customisation file. This restores all default shortcuts.
Can I use AutoCAD shortcuts on Mac?
Yes. AutoCAD for Mac supports nearly all the same shortcuts, with the Command (⌘) key replacing Ctrl for most combinations. Function keys require the Fn key on Mac laptops depending on your keyboard settings. See the Mac Shortcuts section above for the full list.
What is the difference between an AutoCAD shortcut key and a command alias?
Shortcut keys (like Ctrl + S or F3) are keyboard combinations that trigger commands or toggle settings instantly without using the command line. Command aliases (like L for LINE or TR for TRIM) are short abbreviations you type in the command line and confirm with Enter or Space. Both save time, but in different ways.
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