The cut copy paste shortcut keys are Ctrl + X to cut, Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V to paste. They work in almost every Windows program, for text, files, cells and pictures. On a Mac, the same letters are used with Command.
The same family includes Ctrl + Z to undo, Ctrl + Y to redo, Ctrl + A to select all and Win + V for clipboard history. This page explains how they fit together and points you to a full walkthrough for every editing job.
Quick facts
Cut
Ctrl + XCopy
Ctrl + CPaste
Ctrl + VUndo
Ctrl + ZRedo
Ctrl + YSelect all
Ctrl + AClipboard history
Win + V
Cut copy paste shortcut keys on Windows and Mac
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | Ctrl + X | Command + X |
| Copy | Ctrl + C | Command + C |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | Command + V |
| Paste without formatting | Ctrl + Shift + V | Command + Option + Shift + V |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Command + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y | Command + Shift + Z |
| Select all | Ctrl + A | Command + A |
| Clipboard history | Win + V | None built in |
X, C and V sit next to each other at the bottom left of the keyboard, so one hand can reach them while the other uses the mouse. X looks like scissors, C stands for copy, and V points down like an arrow inserting text.
How cut, copy and paste differ
| Cut | Copy | |
|---|---|---|
| Original stays | No, it moves | Yes |
| Used for | Moving text or files | Duplicating text or files |
| Files in File Explorer | Moved when pasted | Copied when pasted |
| If you never paste | Text is removed; files stay put | Nothing changes |
Cut text disappears straight away and waits in the clipboard; cut files only move when pasted. Each has its own page: cutting, copying and pasting.
Copy, paste shortcut key extras
Win + V keeps the last 25 items you copied, so you can copy several things and paste them in any order; turn it on the first time it asks. Ctrl + Shift + V pastes as plain text in most browsers and messaging apps, removing fonts and colours from copied web text. Office programs offer Paste Special with Ctrl + Alt + V for values, formats or pictures. Older keyboards also support Ctrl + Insert to copy, Shift + Insert to paste and Shift + Delete to cut. See clipboard shortcut and paste special shortcut.
Undo, redo and selecting
Ctrl + Z undoes the last action, including a paste or a deleted file, and can be pressed many times to step back. Ctrl + Y redoes what you undid. Selecting comes first for most edits: Ctrl + A selects everything, Shift with arrows extends a selection a letter at a time, and Ctrl + Shift with arrows extends it a word at a time. Guides: undo shortcut key, redo shortcut key and select all shortcut key.
Every editing guide on this site
| Guide | Main shortcut | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Paste | Windows: Ctrl + V | Ctrl + V on Windows, Command + V on Mac |
| Copy | Windows: Ctrl + C | Ctrl + C on Windows, Command + C on Mac |
| Cut | Windows: Ctrl + X | Ctrl + X on Windows, Command + X on Mac |
| Ctrl A to Z | Works everywhere: A, C, F, N, O, P, S, V, X, Z with Ctrl | Ctrl + A select all, Ctrl + C copy, Ctrl + V paste, Ctrl + Z undo |
| Undo | Undo: Ctrl + Z | Ctrl + Z to undo, Ctrl + Y to redo; Command + Z on Mac |
| Redo | Redo: Ctrl + Y | Ctrl + Y to redo on Windows; Command + Shift + Z on Mac |
| Rename | Rename: F2 | F2 renames the selected file or folder; Return on a Mac |
| Save as | Office on Windows: F12 | F12 in Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Ctrl + Shift + S in many apps |
| Zoom | Zoom in: Ctrl + Plus | Ctrl + Plus to zoom in, Ctrl + Minus to zoom out, Ctrl + 0 to reset |
| Select all | Windows: Ctrl + A | Ctrl + A selects everything; Command + A on a Mac |
| Replace | Find and replace: Ctrl + H | Ctrl + H opens Find and Replace in Word, Excel and Notepad |
| New folder | New folder: Ctrl + Shift + N | Ctrl + Shift + N makes a new folder; Command + Shift + N on Mac |
| Delete | Delete right or selection: Delete | Delete removes to the right or the selection; Ctrl + D in File Explorer |
| Windows: Ctrl + P | Ctrl + P opens the print screen; Command + P on a Mac | |
| Save | Save: Ctrl + S | Ctrl + S saves the file; Command + S on a Mac |
| Print preview | Word and Excel: Ctrl + F2 | Ctrl + F2 opens print preview in Word and Excel; Ctrl + P in browsers |
| Find | Find in a page or file: Ctrl + F | Ctrl + F finds text; F3 finds the next match; Win + S searches Windows |
| Paste special | Office paste special: Ctrl + Alt + V | Ctrl + Alt + V opens Paste Special in Word, Excel and PowerPoint |
| Spell check | Spelling and grammar: F7 | F7 runs spelling and grammar check in Word, Excel and PowerPoint |
| Hyperlink | Insert link: Ctrl + K | Ctrl + K inserts a hyperlink in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook |
| Format painter | Copy formatting: Ctrl + Shift + C | Ctrl + Shift + C copies formatting, Ctrl + Shift + V pastes it in Word |
| Permanent delete | Permanent delete: Shift + Delete | Shift + Delete deletes files permanently, skipping the Recycle Bin |
| Duplicate | PowerPoint duplicate: Ctrl + D | Ctrl + D duplicates in PowerPoint and fills down in Excel; but deletes in File Explorer |
| New file | New file: Ctrl + N | Ctrl + N creates a new document, workbook or file in almost every program |
| Move a file | Cut file: Ctrl + X | Ctrl + X then Ctrl + V moves a file; Win + Shift + arrow moves a window |
| Crop | Paint: Ctrl + Shift + X | Ctrl + Shift + X crops in Paint, Ctrl + E edits in Photos, Command + K crops in Preview |
When copy and paste stop working
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + V pastes old content | The copy did not happen; select again and press Ctrl + C |
| Paste does nothing anywhere | Restart the computer, or end a stuck clipboard app in Task Manager |
| Pasted text looks wrong | Use Ctrl + Shift + V for plain text |
| Website blocks copying | Select with the keyboard, or use reader mode |
Shortcut key for cut copy paste on phones and other devices
Phones use long press: press and hold a word, drag the handles to select, then tap Cut, Copy or Paste. Bluetooth keyboards connected to tablets and phones usually accept Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V, or Command on an iPad. Mac specific details, including moving files with Command + Option + V, are in Mac copy and paste. Windows keys for every other task are on Windows shortcut keys.
Frequently asked questions
What are the cut copy paste shortcut keys?
Cut is Ctrl + X, copy is Ctrl + C and paste is Ctrl + V.
What is the difference between cut and copy?
Cut moves the original; copy leaves it in place.
How do I paste without formatting?
How do I see what I copied earlier?
Press Win + V for clipboard history.
What are the cut copy paste keys on a Mac?
Command + X, Command + C and Command + V.