Discord Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete List for Windows & Mac (2026)
Discord has over 500 million registered users but most of them are still clicking around with a mouse. Learning Discord’s keyboard shortcuts changes everything. You can mute yourself mid-game, jump between servers, search messages, and format text without ever lifting your hands off the keyboard.
This guide covers every Discord keyboard shortcut for Windows and Mac navigation, voice, messaging, text formatting, and custom keybinds all verified against Discord’s official documentation. A free printable PDF is available at the bottom.
Quick tip: Press Ctrl + / on Windows or ⌘ + / on Mac at any time inside Discord to open the built-in keyboard shortcut overlay.
Top 10 Most Useful Discord Shortcuts
New to Discord shortcuts? Start with these ten they cover 90% of what you’ll use daily.
| Shortcut (Windows) | Shortcut (Mac) | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + K | ⌘ + K | Open Quick Switcher jump to any server, channel, or DM instantly |
| Ctrl + / | ⌘ + / | Show all keyboard shortcuts |
| Ctrl + Shift + M | ⌘ + Shift + M | Toggle microphone mute |
| Ctrl + Shift + D | ⌘ + Shift + D | Toggle deafen (mutes mic + audio) |
| Ctrl + Enter | ⌘ + Enter | Answer an incoming call |
| Up Arrow | Up Arrow | Edit your last sent message |
| Ctrl + F | ⌘ + F | Search messages in current channel |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | ⌘ + Shift + F | Search across all channels |
| Shift + Esc | Shift + Esc | Mark current channel as read |
| Ctrl + R | ⌘ + R | Refresh Discord |
Navigation Shortcuts
These shortcuts let you move around Discord at full speed between servers, channels, and DMs without touching the mouse.
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open Quick Switcher | Ctrl + K | ⌘ + K |
| Navigate to next server | Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow | ⌘ + Alt + Down Arrow |
| Navigate to previous server | Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow | ⌘ + Alt + Up Arrow |
| Jump to server 1–9 | Ctrl + 1 through 9 | ⌘ + 1 through 9 |
| Create or join a server | Ctrl + Shift + N | ⌘ + Shift + N |
| Next channel | Alt + Down Arrow | Alt + Down Arrow |
| Previous channel | Alt + Up Arrow | Alt + Up Arrow |
| Next unread channel | Alt + Shift + Down Arrow | Alt + Shift + Down Arrow |
| Previous unread channel | Alt + Shift + Up Arrow | Alt + Shift + Up Arrow |
| Next unread channel with mention | Ctrl + Shift + Alt + Down Arrow | ⌘ + Shift + Alt + Down Arrow |
| Previous unread channel with mention | Ctrl + Shift + Alt + Up Arrow | ⌘ + Shift + Alt + Up Arrow |
| Mark server as read | Shift + Esc | Shift + Esc |
| Mark channel as read | Esc | Esc |
Direct Messages & Search Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Find or start a direct message | Ctrl + K | ⌘ + K |
| Create a private group DM | Ctrl + Shift + T | ⌘ + Shift + T |
| Search current channel | Ctrl + F | ⌘ + F |
| Search all channels | Ctrl + Shift + F | ⌘ + Shift + F |
Panels & Overlays Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle member list | Ctrl + U | ⌘ + U |
| Toggle pins popout | Ctrl + P | ⌘ + P |
| Toggle mentions popout | Ctrl + I | ⌘ + I |
| Toggle emoji picker | Ctrl + E | ⌘ + E |
| Open overlay | Ctrl + ‘ | ⌘ + ‘ |
| Show keyboard shortcuts | Ctrl + / | ⌘ + / |
| Open developer console | Ctrl + Shift + I | ⌘ + Shift + I |
| Get help | Ctrl + Shift + H | ⌘ + Shift + H |
The Quick Switcher (Ctrl + K) – Discord’s Most Powerful Shortcut
The Quick Switcher is the single most efficient way to navigate Discord. Press Ctrl + K (Windows) or ⌘ + K (Mac), start typing, and jump anywhere instantly.
Use these prefixes to narrow results:
- @username – find a friend or mutual server member
- #channel-name – jump to a text channel
- !channel-name – jump to a voice channel
- *server-name – search through your servers
This one shortcut replaces five or more mouse clicks every single time you use it.
Voice & Call Shortcuts
These are the shortcuts gamers care most about. Several work even when Discord is running in the background.
While Discord Is in the Background
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle microphone mute | Ctrl + Shift + M | ⌘ + Shift + M |
| Toggle deafen | Ctrl + Shift + D | ⌘ + Shift + D |
Pro tip: Ctrl + Shift + M works even when you’re in a game and Discord is minimised. No more tabbing out to mute.
While Discord Is Open
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Answer incoming call | Ctrl + Enter | ⌘ + Enter |
| Decline incoming call | Esc | Esc |
| Call the DM you’re viewing | Ctrl + ‘ | ⌘ + ‘ |
| Return to connected audio channel | Alt + Left Arrow | Alt + Left Arrow |
| Return to previous audio channel | Alt + Right Arrow | Alt + Right Arrow |
| Start call in DM or group | Ctrl + [ | ⌘ + [ |
While in an Active Voice Call
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Jump back to your call (from anywhere) | Ctrl + Shift + Alt + V | ⌘ + Shift + Alt + V |
| Open Soundboard | Ctrl + Shift + B | ⌘ + Shift + B |
| Toggle camera on/off | Ctrl + Shift + V | ⌘ + Shift + V |
Message & Text Chat Shortcuts
Editing & Reacting
| Action | Windows / Mac | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Edit last message | Up Arrow | Only works in the text input area when it’s empty |
| Edit a selected message | E | Press Tab to focus a message first, then E |
| Reply to selected message | R | Same focus the message first |
| Add reaction | + | On a focused message |
| Delete selected message | Backspace | Your own messages only |
| Pin selected message | P | Requires permission |
| Forward selected message | F | Available on focused message |
Scrolling & Reading
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Scroll chat up | Page Up | Page Up |
| Scroll chat down | Page Down | Page Down |
| Jump to oldest unread message | Shift + Page Up | Shift + Page Up |
| Focus text input area | Tab | Tab |
File & Media
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Upload a file | Ctrl + Shift + U | ⌘ + Shift + U |
| Open emoji picker | Ctrl + E | ⌘ + E |
| Open sticker picker | Ctrl + S | ⌘ + S |
| Open GIF picker | Ctrl + G | ⌘ + G |
Text Formatting Shortcuts
Discord uses Markdown for text formatting. These are not keyboard shortcuts in the traditional sense they are typed directly into the message box.
| Format | Syntax | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | **text** | bold |
| Italic | *text* or _text_ | italic |
| Bold + Italic | ***text*** | bold italic |
| Underline | __text__ | underline |
| Strikethrough | ~~text~~ | |
| Inline code | `text` | code |
| Code block | “`text“` | Full code block |
| Spoiler tag | ||text|| | Hidden until clicked |
| Block quote | > text | Indented quote |
| Multiline quote | >>> text | Quotes rest of message |
| Heading 1 | # text | Large heading |
| Heading 2 | ## text | Medium heading |
| Heading 3 | ### text | Small heading |
| Bulleted list | – text or * text | List item |
| Numbered list | 1. text | Ordered item |
Discord Shortcuts for Mac
Mac uses the ⌘ (Command) key in place of Ctrl for most shortcuts. Here is the complete Mac-specific reference.
Mac Navigation Shortcuts
| Action | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open Quick Switcher | ⌘ + K |
| Show all keyboard shortcuts | ⌘ + / |
| Next server | ⌘ + Alt + Down Arrow |
| Previous server | ⌘ + Alt + Up Arrow |
| Jump to server 1–9 | ⌘ + 1 through 9 |
| Create or join server | ⌘ + Shift + N |
| Next unread channel | Alt + Shift + Down Arrow |
| Previous unread channel | Alt + Shift + Up Arrow |
| Mark channel as read | Esc |
| Mark server as read | Shift + Esc |
| Find or start a DM | ⌘ + K |
| Search current channel | ⌘ + F |
| Search all channels | ⌘ + Shift + F |
| Toggle member list | ⌘ + U |
| Toggle emoji picker | ⌘ + E |
| Upload a file | ⌘ + Shift + U |
| Refresh Discord | ⌘ + R |
Mac Voice & Call Shortcuts
| Action | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle mute (works in background) | ⌘ + Shift + M |
| Toggle deafen (works in background) | ⌘ + Shift + D |
| Answer incoming call | ⌘ + Enter |
| Decline call | Esc |
| Toggle camera | ⌘ + Shift + V |
| Open Soundboard | ⌘ + Shift + B |
| Jump back to active call | ⌘ + Shift + Alt + V |
Mac-specific note: On Mac, keyboard shortcuts work in the Desktop app and in Safari/Chrome browsers. Custom keybinds require the Discord Desktop app they do not work in the browser version.
Download Discord Shortcuts PDF
All shortcuts on this page are available as a free printable PDF cheat sheet one page, print-ready, covering Windows and Mac.
Download Discord Shortcuts PDF →
How to Create Custom Discord Keybinds
Discord lets you go beyond the built-in hotkeys and create your own keybinds for voice actions, navigation, and more. Custom keybinds only work in the Discord Desktop app.
Hotkeys vs. Keybinds – What’s the Difference?
- Hotkeys are Discord’s built-in keyboard shortcuts. They come pre-set and cannot be changed (e.g. Ctrl+K, Ctrl+Shift+M).
- Keybinds are custom shortcuts you create yourself in Settings. They let you bind any key to voice actions like Push to Talk, Toggle Mute, or Toggle Deafen.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a Custom Keybind
- Open Discord and click the cogwheel icon (bottom-left, next to your username) to open User Settings.
- Scroll down the left sidebar and click Keybinds.
- Click Add a Keybind in the top-right.
- Click the Action dropdown and choose what you want the keybind to do.
- Click inside the Keybind recording box it will display “Recording…”
- Press the key or key combination you want to assign (e.g. Ctrl + Shift + S).
- The keybind saves automatically. Close settings and it’s live immediately.
Available Actions for Custom Keybinds
Toggle actions (press once to activate, press again to deactivate):
- Toggle Mute
- Toggle Deafen
- Toggle Voice Activation Detection (VAD)
- Toggle Streamer Mode
- Navigate Forward / Navigate Back
- Switch to Voice Channel
- Disconnect from Voice Channel
Hold actions (active only while you hold the key):
- Push to Talk – mic transmits only while key is held
- Push to Mute – mic is muted only while key is held
- Priority Push to Talk – lowers others’ volume as you speak
How to Remove a Custom Keybind
Go to User Settings → Keybinds, find the keybind you want to delete, and click the trash can icon on the right side of that row. There is no undo it deletes immediately.
If you’re exploring other platforms, check out our guide to the best Discord alternatives including Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Teamspeak.
Discord Keyboard Shortcuts FAQ
What is the keyboard shortcut to see all Discord shortcuts?
Press Ctrl + / on Windows or ⌘ + / on Mac inside Discord. This opens a full shortcut overlay directly in the app.
How do I mute myself on Discord with a keyboard shortcut?
Press Ctrl + Shift + M on Windows or ⌘ + Shift + M on Mac. This works even when Discord is running in the background, so you never have to alt-tab mid-game.
What does Ctrl + K do in Discord?
Ctrl + K (or ⌘ + K on Mac) opens the Quick Switcher a search bar that lets you instantly jump to any server, channel, or DM by typing its name. It replaces several clicks with a single keystroke.
Does Discord have keyboard shortcuts on mobile?
No. Discord keyboard shortcuts are only available on the desktop app and browser version. The mobile app uses tap and swipe gestures instead. There are no keyboard shortcuts for iPhone, Android, or iPad Discord.
Can I create my own Discord keyboard shortcuts?
Yes. Go to User Settings → Keybinds in the Discord Desktop app and click “Add a Keybind.” You can assign custom keys to voice actions like Push to Talk, Toggle Mute, or Toggle Deafen. Note: custom keybinds are not available in the browser version.
How do I switch between Discord servers with a keyboard shortcut?
Use Ctrl + Alt + Up/Down Arrow (Windows) or ⌘ + Alt + Up/Down Arrow (Mac) to cycle through servers. Or press Ctrl + 1 through 9 (Windows) or ⌘ + 1 through 9 (Mac) to jump directly to a specific server by position.
What is the Discord shortcut to refresh the app?
Press Ctrl + R on Windows or ⌘ + R on Mac to fully refresh Discord. This is useful when messages stop loading or the app feels slow.
What is Push to Talk and how do I set it up?
Push to Talk is a voice mode where your microphone only transmits audio while you hold a specific key. To set it up: go to User Settings → Voice & Video → Input Mode → Push to Talk, then assign a key. You can also create a Push to Talk keybind under User Settings → Keybinds.
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