Gmail keyboard shortcuts are actually combinations of specific keys (buttons) that help you perform various tasks very quickly without using a mouse.
For example, you can write a new email, reply to an email, delete it, or search for a specific email in Gmail with just one shortcut.
The biggest advantage of these shortcuts is that they save you time, increase your work speed, and make Gmail much easier to use.
If you work with emails every day, learning keyboard shortcuts can significantly increase your productivity.
How to turn on or enable Keyboard shortcuts in Gmail.
If you want to use shortcuts in your Gmail, then first you need to turn on or enable shortcuts in your Gmail from Gmail setting. in this post I will explain how to turn on or enable Keyboard Shortcuts in your Gmail.
By enabling keyboard shortcuts in your Gmail, you will be able to navigate and perform tasks in your Gmail more quickly and easily, making your email experience more efficient.
Follow these steps to enable Keyboard Shortcuts in Gmail.
- Open Your Gmail and Click on Setting Icon (the gear icon in the upper-right corner), and then Click on “See All Settings” as shown below.

- After clicking on See All Settings the following window will appear, here in the General tab scroll down to the Keyboard Shortcuts, and select Keyboard Shortcuts On Option as shown below.

- Now Click on Save Changes Button located on the bottom.

Once you’ve completed these steps, Gmail keyboard shortcuts will be enabled. That’s how you can turn on or enable keyboard shortcuts in Gmail
Useful Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts
In the table below, you can find a list of the most useful Gmail keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts make it easier to manage your emails, write messages faster, and save time while working in Gmail. By learning a few of them, you can do many common tasks without using the mouse.
| Action | Shortcut |
| Go to Inbox | g + i |
| Compose new message | c |
| Reply to message | r |
| Reply all | a |
| Forward email | f |
| Go to Sent messages | g + t |
| Go to Drafts | g + d |
| Refresh inbox | u |
| Send email | Ctrl + Enter / ⌘ + Enter |
| Save draft | Ctrl + s / ⌘ + s |
| Archive email | e |
| Delete email | # |
| Mark as read | Shift + i |
| Mark as unread | Shift + u |
| Go to All Mail | g + a |
| Star a message | s |
| Search mail | / |
| Open conversation | o or Enter |
| Move to newer conversation | k |
| Move to older conversation | j |
| Bold text | Ctrl + b / ⌘ + b |
| Italic text | Ctrl + i / ⌘ + i |
| Underline text | Ctrl + u / ⌘ + u |
| Undo last action | z |
| Open keyboard shortcuts help | Shift + ? |
Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts – FAQs
1. Can I turn on keyboard shortcuts in Gmail?
Yes, you can.
Go to Gmail – Settings — See all settings — General tab — Keyboard shortcuts — Turn on.
Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Save Changes.
2. How do I show all Gmail shortcuts?
While in Gmail, press Shift + ?.
This will open a pop-up window listing all available shortcuts.
3. What is the shortcut for composing a new email?
Press c to compose a new email.
If you want to compose a new email in a new tab, press d.
4. What are the shortcuts for replying to or forwarding an email?
r — To reply to the selected email.
a — To reply to all recipients.
f — To forward the email.
5. What is the shortcut to quickly delete or archive an email?
# — To delete the email.
e — To archive the email (it will be saved in All Mail instead of Inbox).
6. Is there a shortcut to search emails in Gmail?
Yes, press /, the cursor will immediately move to the search bar.
7. How can I navigate between emails with the keyboard?
j — To go to an older conversation.
k — To go to a newer conversation.
o or Enter — To open the selected email.
8. Can I customize Gmail shortcuts?
Currently, Gmail doesn’t allow for full customization of shortcuts.
However, you can turn them on or off in Settings.
9. What is the shortcut for sending an email after typing?
Press Ctrl + Enter (on Windows) or ⌘ + Enter (on Mac) to send the email immediately.
I hope this tutorial will help to turn or enable and use keyboard shortcuts in Gmail. If you have any question suggestion or feedback, feel free to contact us using the detail given on our contact us page.

