SketchUp Keyboard Shortcuts: The Complete List for Windows & Mac
SketchUp’s most-used keyboard shortcuts are L (Line), M (Move), P (Push/Pull), R (Rectangle), C (Circle), E (Eraser), and Spacebar (Select). SketchUp ships with a set of default keyboard shortcuts you can view or change anytime under Window → Preferences → Shortcuts (on Mac: SketchUp → Settings → Shortcuts). Below is the complete, categorized list for both Windows and Mac, plus the modifier-key tricks that make each tool far more powerful and a free printable PDF cheat sheet.
⬇️ Download the SketchUp Shortcuts PDF Cheat Sheet (Free)
What Is a SketchUp Keyboard Shortcut?
A SketchUp keyboard shortcut is a single key or key combination that activates a tool or command without clicking through a menu or toolbar. Pressing L, for example, instantly switches to the Line tool. Shortcuts keep your hands on the keyboard and your eyes on the model, which removes the constant mouse travel between the toolbar and your design the single biggest speed gain for any SketchUp user.
Who benefits most from learning them: architects, interior designers, civil and mechanical engineers, landscape architects, set and film designers, and video game designers anyone who builds 3D models daily.
Most-Used SketchUp Shortcuts (Quick Reference)
| Action | Shortcut (Windows & Mac) |
|---|---|
| Line | L |
| Eraser | E |
| Select | Spacebar |
| Move | M |
| Push/Pull | P |
| Rectangle | R |
| Circle | C |
| 2-Point Arc | A |
| Offset | F |
| Rotate | Q |
| Scale | S |
| Paint Bucket | B |
| Tape Measure | T |
| Orbit | O |
| Pan | H |
| Zoom | Z |
| Zoom Extents | Shift + Z |
The single most valuable shortcut in SketchUp is Spacebar. From inside any command, tapping it returns you instantly to the Select tool the move that breaks the habit of hunting for the cursor in the toolbar.
Drawing Tool Shortcuts
These create the geometry your model is built from. Each tool gets more powerful once you learn its modifier keys.
| Tool | Shortcut | What it does & power tips |
|---|---|---|
| Line | L | Draws edges. Hold Shift to lock to an inference (axis/plane). Type a number + Enter to set exact length. |
| 2-Point Arc | A | Draws an arc. Type a number + Enter for bulge; type a value + R + Enter for radius; type a value + S + Enter for segment count. |
| Circle | C | Hold Shift to lock inference. Type a value + Enter for radius; type a value + S + Enter for segments (more segments = smoother circle). |
| Rectangle | R | Type length, comma, width, then Enter for exact dimensions. Press Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac) to draw from the center. |
Editing & Modification Shortcuts
These transform geometry you’ve already drawn. The modifier keys here are where most time savings live.
| Tool | Shortcut | What it does & power tips |
|---|---|---|
| Move | M | Hold Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac) to copy instead of move. Move a copy, type a number + X + Enter to create an array. Hold Alt (Win) / Cmd (Mac) to enable auto-fold. Type a distance + Enter for precision. |
| Push/Pull | P | Pushes/pulls a face into 3D. Hold Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac) to leave the original face and create new geometry. Double-click to repeat the last push/pull amount. Type a distance + Enter for precision. |
| Rotate | Q | Hold Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac) to rotate a copy. Type an angle + Enter for exact rotation. |
| Scale | S | Hold Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac) to scale about the center. Hold Shift for uniform scaling. Type a factor + Enter, or type a length + units. |
| Offset | F | Offsets lines or faces. Hold Alt (Win) / Cmd (Mac) to allow overlapping offsets. Type a distance + Enter for precision. |
| Eraser | E | Hold Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac) to soften/smooth edges. Add Shift to unsoften. Hold Shift alone to hide edges instead of deleting. |
| Paint Bucket | B | Hold Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac) to fill adjacent matching faces. Hold Shift to replace all matching faces in the model. Hold Alt (Win) / Cmd (Mac) to sample an existing material. |
| Make Component | G | Turns selected geometry into a reusable component. |
Selection Shortcuts
| Tool | Shortcut | Power tips |
|---|---|---|
| Select | Spacebar | Add to selection: hold Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac). Add/remove: hold Shift. Subtract: hold Shift + Ctrl (Win) / Shift + Option (Mac). |
| Lasso Select | Shift + Spacebar | Free-form selection by drawing around geometry. |
Navigation & View Shortcuts (Orbit, Pan, Zoom)
Moving around your model fluidly is half the speed equation.
| Action | Shortcut | Power tips |
|---|---|---|
| Orbit | O (or middle mouse + drag) | Hold Ctrl (Win) / Option (Mac) to disable gravity-weighted orbiting. Hold Shift (or middle mouse + Shift) to temporarily Pan. |
| Pan | H (or Shift + middle mouse + drag) | Slides the view without rotating. |
| Zoom | Z (or scroll wheel) | Hold Shift and drag to change the field of view instead of zooming. |
| Zoom Extents | Shift + Z | Frames the entire model in the viewport your “I’m lost, take me home” key. |
| Back Edges | K | Toggles visibility of hidden back edges. |
| Image Igloo (Photo Match) | I | Used in photo-matching workflows. |
| Search Tools/Commands | Shift + S | Opens SketchUp’s search to find any tool or command by name. |
Mouse Shortcuts
A three-button scroll-wheel mouse unlocks SketchUp’s fastest navigation no keyboard required.
| Mouse action | Result |
|---|---|
| Middle button + drag | Orbit |
| Shift + middle button + drag | Pan |
| Scroll wheel | Zoom in / out |
| Double-click middle button | Zoom Extents |
| Right-click | Context menu (entity-specific options) |
Mac vs Windows: Key Differences
The tool letters (L, M, P, R, etc.) are identical on Mac and Windows. What changes are the modifier keys:
| Windows | Mac equivalent |
|---|---|
| Ctrl | Option (⌥) for most tool modifiers like copy/soften |
| Alt | Command (⌘) for auto-fold and overlapping offsets |
| Enter | Return |
Mac note: If pressing Spacebar opens the macOS “Model Info” dialog or otherwise misbehaves, it’s usually a system-level shortcut conflict check System Settings → Keyboard → Shortcuts. Also note: importing a shortcut preset file is currently a Windows-only feature.
How to Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in SketchUp
Not every tool has a default shortcut but you can assign your own in under a minute. This is the single best upgrade for tools you use constantly (like Make Group or Hide).
- Open Window → Preferences (Windows) or SketchUp → Settings (Mac).
- Select the Shortcuts panel.
- In the Filter field, type the command name (e.g., type Make to find “Edit/Make Group”).
- Select the command, click in the Add Shortcut field, and press your desired key or combination.
- Click the + button to assign it. If the key is already taken, SketchUp warns you and asks whether to reassign.
To remove a shortcut, select the command and click the – (minus) next to the Assigned field.
Guidelines for good custom shortcuts: use Shift, Alt, Ctrl, or Option as modifiers; pick keys near your home position; and avoid reassigning the defaults you already rely on.
How to View and Export All Shortcuts Inside SketchUp
To see every shortcut currently assigned: go to Window → Preferences → Shortcuts (Mac: SketchUp → Settings → Shortcuts). The panel lists every tool and command you can assign a key to.
On Windows, you can also export your full shortcut set to a file from the same panel handy for backing up your setup or sharing it across machines. Click Export, save the preferences file, and Import it on any other computer.
SketchUp Shortcuts PDF (Free Download)
Want the whole list on one printable page next to your monitor? Grab the free cheat sheet:
⬇️ Download the SketchUp Keyboard Shortcuts PDF
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the keyboard shortcut for the Line tool in SketchUp?
Press L to activate the Line tool. This works identically on Windows and Mac.
How do I see all keyboard shortcuts in SketchUp?
Go to Window → Preferences → Shortcuts on Windows, or SketchUp → Settings → Shortcuts on Mac. The panel shows every tool and command and lets you assign, edit, or remove shortcuts.
How many keyboard shortcuts does SketchUp have?
SketchUp includes roughly two dozen default tool shortcuts out of the box, but the Shortcuts panel lets you assign a custom shortcut to virtually any tool or command well over 100 in total once you count everything assignable.
Are SketchUp shortcuts different on Mac and Windows?
The tool letters are the same. The modifier keys differ: Windows uses Ctrl and Alt where Mac uses Option (⌥) and Command (⌘).
Can I create my own custom shortcuts in SketchUp?
Yes. Open the Shortcuts panel in Preferences/Settings, find the command, click Add Shortcut, press your key combination, and click the + button to save it.
What is the shortcut for Zoom Extents?
Shift + Z frames your entire model in the viewport. It’s the fastest way to recenter when you’ve zoomed or panned away.
Is there a SketchUp shortcuts PDF I can print?
Yes you can download a free printable cheat sheet above, or print your own from inside SketchUp via the Shortcuts preferences panel.
Do these shortcuts work in SketchUp for Web and SketchUp Free?
Yes. SketchUp for Web uses nearly the same default shortcuts as the desktop version, and they’re also customizable from within the web app.
Final Takeaway
You don’t need to memorize all of SketchUp’s shortcuts at once. Start with the seven essentials L, M, P, R, C, E, and Spacebar until they’re automatic, then layer in the modifier keys (Ctrl/Option to copy, Shift to lock inference) that turn each tool into several. Once those are muscle memory, assign custom shortcuts to the two or three commands you use most. That progression alone will noticeably cut your modeling time.
READ NEXT:
