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Ubuntu Shortcut Keys and Linux Keys

AppsDesktopTerminalChecked 2 Nov 2026

Open terminal

CtrlAltT

Activities overview

Super

Lock screen

SuperL

Terminal copy

CtrlShiftC

Ubuntu shortcut keys start with the Super key, the key with the Windows logo on most keyboards. Press Super alone to open Activities, where you can type an app name and press Enter. Ctrl + Alt + T opens a terminal from anywhere, the shortcut Linux users rely on most.

Inside the terminal, copy and paste need Shift: Ctrl + Shift + C and Ctrl + Shift + V, because plain Ctrl + C stops the running command. Most of these keys work in other GNOME based Linux desktops too.

Quick facts

  • Activities

    Super

  • Terminal

    Ctrl + Alt + T

  • All apps

    Super + A

  • Lock

    Super + L

  • Switch apps

    Alt + Tab

  • Terminal copy

    Ctrl + Shift + C

  • Terminal paste

    Ctrl + Shift + V

Ubuntu shortcut keys for the desktop

Desktop keys
KeysAction
SuperActivities overview and search
Super + AShow all applications
Ctrl + Alt + TOpen a terminal
Super + LLock the screen
Alt + TabSwitch applications
Super + TabSwitch applications (alternative)
Alt + F2Run a command
Alt + F4Close the window
Ctrl + Alt + DeleteLog out dialog
Super + VNotifications and calendar
PrtScScreenshot tool

Windows and workspaces

Managing windows
KeysAction
Super + LeftSnap to the left half
Super + RightSnap to the right half
Super + UpMaximise
Super + DownRestore
Super + HHide (minimise)
Super + Page DownNext workspace
Super + Page UpPrevious workspace
Super + Shift + Page DownMove window to next workspace

Workspaces are separate desktops, handy for keeping a code editor on one and a browser on another. Ubuntu adds and removes them automatically as you fill them.

Linux shortcut keys in the terminal

Terminal keys (bash)
KeysAction
Ctrl + CStop the running command
Ctrl + DExit the shell, or end input
Ctrl + LClear the screen
TabComplete a command or file name
Ctrl + RSearch command history
UpPrevious command
Ctrl + AGo to start of line
Ctrl + EGo to end of line
Ctrl + UDelete to start of line
Ctrl + Shift + TNew terminal tab

Pressing Tab twice lists all possible completions, which saves typing long folder names. Ctrl + R followed by a few letters finds that long command you ran yesterday.

Selecting text in the terminal copies it automatically to a separate selection buffer; a middle click pastes it, a classic Linux habit.

Change or add shortcuts

Open Settings, Keyboard, View and Customise Shortcuts to see every key and change it. At the bottom, Custom Shortcuts lets you add your own, such as Super + E to open the file manager or a key that runs a script. Coming from Windows, many people set Super + D to show the desktop if it is not already set. Comparisons with Windows are on Windows shortcut keys.

When a shortcut does nothing

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
Ctrl + C does not copy in terminalUse Ctrl + Shift + C; Ctrl + C stops commands
Super key does nothingSome desktop flavours use a menu button; check keyboard settings
Keys differ from this listAnother desktop environment is in use, such as KDE or Xfce
Terminal shortcut missingAdd a custom shortcut that runs gnome terminal
A computer science student opens a terminal with Ctrl + Alt + T, runs a program, stops a loop with Ctrl + C, recalls the command with Up, fixes it and runs it again in seconds.

Frequently asked questions

What are the basic Ubuntu shortcut keys?

Super for Activities, Ctrl + Alt + T for terminal, Super + L to lock.

How do I open a terminal in Linux?
Ctrl + Alt + T.
How do I copy and paste in the Linux terminal?
Ctrl + Shift + C and Ctrl + Shift + V.
How do I clear the terminal?
Ctrl + L, or type clear.
How do I switch workspaces in Ubuntu?
Super + Page Down and Super + Page Up.
How do I change Ubuntu shortcuts?

Settings, Keyboard, View and Customise Shortcuts.