Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts
The Gmail shortcuts for composing, moving through the inbox, and filing mail. Turn shortcuts on in Settings, then read Cmd as the equivalent on a Mac.
15 shortcuts across 3 groups
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
| c | Compose a new message |
| r | Reply to the thread |
| a | Reply to all |
| f | Forward the message |
| Ctrl + Enter | Send the message |
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
| j / k | Move to the next or previous thread |
| o or Enter | Open the selected thread |
| u | Return to the thread list |
| g then i | Go to the inbox |
| / | Jump to the search box |
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
| e | Archive the thread |
| # | Delete the thread |
| ! | Report the thread as spam |
| l | Open the label menu |
| s | Star or unstar the thread |
Getting these into muscle memory
A cheat sheet only helps if the bindings move from the page into your hands. The fastest way is to pick two or three shortcuts from a single group above, force yourself to use them for a few days even when the mouse feels quicker, and only then add more. Trying to memorize an entire sheet at once rarely sticks, because none of the bindings get enough repetition to become automatic.
The groups here are ordered by how often you reach for them. Openers and palettes come first because they unlock everything else, then editing and navigation, which is where most of a session is spent. Keep this page open in a tab while you learn, and it will quietly work its way out of your sight and into your fingers.