Skip to content
CtrlKFind a shortcut

Blender Shortcut Keys

Apps3D modellingViews and renderChecked 2 Nov 2026

Move (grab)

G

Rotate

R

Scale

S

Edit Mode

Tab

Blender shortcut keys are built around three letters: G grabs and moves, R rotates and S scales. Press one, move the mouse, then click to confirm or right click to cancel. Typing X, Y or Z afterwards locks the change to that axis, and typing a number sets an exact amount.

Tab switches between Object Mode and Edit Mode, where E extrudes, Ctrl + R adds a loop cut and Ctrl + B bevels. Shift + A opens the Add menu for new meshes, lights and cameras.

Quick facts

  • Move

    G

  • Rotate

    R

  • Scale

    S

  • Edit Mode

    Tab

  • Add menu

    Shift + A

  • Extrude

    E

  • Render image

    F12

Blender shortcut keys for transforms and selection

Transforming objects
KeysAction
GMove
RRotate
SScale
G, then ZMove along Z only
S, then 2Scale to double size
ASelect all
Alt + ADeselect all
BBox select
Shift + DDuplicate
XDelete menu
HHide
Alt + HUnhide all

Pressing an axis letter twice switches to the object's own local axis. Holding Shift with an axis letter excludes that axis, so S then Shift + Z scales width and depth but not height.

Modelling keys in Edit Mode

Edit Mode
KeysAction
1Vertex select
2Edge select
3Face select
EExtrude
IInset faces
Ctrl + RLoop cut
Ctrl + BBevel
KKnife
MMerge vertices
PSeparate into a new object
Ctrl + JJoin objects (Object Mode)

Views and the number pad

Number pad keys switch views: 1 front, 3 right, 7 top and 0 the camera view; hold Ctrl for the opposite side. The number pad full stop frames the selected object, and Home frames everything. Drag with the middle mouse button to orbit, add Shift to pan and scroll to zoom. Laptops that lack those keys can still work this way: turn on Emulate Numpad in Preferences, Input, so the top row numbers act as view keys, or use the small axis gizmo at the top right of the viewport.

Press Z for the shading pie menu to switch between solid, wireframe and rendered preview without leaving the viewport.

Rendering, search and saving

Workflow keys
KeysAction
F12Render the current frame
Ctrl + F12Render the animation
F3Search any command
NSidebar with exact values
TToolbar
Ctrl + SpaceMaximise the area under the mouse
Ctrl + SSave
Ctrl + ZUndo
Ctrl + Shift + ZRedo

Search with F3 is the safety net for beginners: type a command name such as subdivide or smooth and run it without knowing where it lives in the menus.

When Blender keys do something unexpected

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
Key acts in the wrong panelBlender sends keys to the area under the mouse; move the pointer to the viewport
Number keys change select mode, not viewTurn on Emulate Numpad or use the number pad
Object moves in odd directionsPress X, Y or Z after G to lock the axis
Everything disappearedSomething was hidden with H; press Alt + H
A student models a table: Shift + A for a cube, S then Z then 0.1 for a thin top, Shift + D for a leg, G to place it, and F12 for a test render.

Frequently asked questions

What are the basic Blender shortcut keys?

G move, R rotate, S scale, Tab Edit Mode and Shift + A add.

How do I extrude in Blender?

In Edit Mode, select faces and press E.

How do I add a loop cut?
Ctrl + R in Edit Mode.
How do I render an image in Blender?
F12.
How do I change views without a number pad?

Turn on Emulate Numpad in Preferences, Input.

How do I find a command I cannot see?

Press F3 and type its name.