ChatGPT is usually controlled with a mouse or touchscreen, but a few keyboard habits can make it much faster to start chats, edit long prompts and move around the interface. The confusing part is that people often use the words shortcut, command and prompt as if they mean the same thing.
They do not. A keyboard shortcut triggers an interface action, while a prompt tells the AI what to do. A slash command may open a supported tool or menu, but typing a random phrase beginning with a slash does not automatically create a special ChatGPT feature. We have explained that distinction in our guide to real and fake ChatGPT slash commands.
Quick list of useful ChatGPT keyboard controls
| Action | Windows/Linux | Mac | Where it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start a new chat | Shift + Ctrl + O | Shift + Command + O | ChatGPT web and supported desktop interfaces |
| Send the prompt | Enter | Return | Message box |
| Add a new line without sending | Shift + Enter | Shift + Return | Message box |
| Select all text in the current field | Ctrl + A | Command + A | Prompt or editable text |
| Copy selected text | Ctrl + C | Command + C | Browser and desktop app |
| Paste text | Ctrl + V | Command + V | Message box |
| Undo typing | Ctrl + Z | Command + Z | Message box |
| Redo typing | Ctrl + Shift + Z or Ctrl + Y | Command + Shift + Z | Message box |
| Find text on the page | Ctrl + F | Command + F | Browser-level shortcut |
| Reload the page | Ctrl + R | Command + R | Web browser |
| Hard refresh when the page is stuck | Ctrl + Shift + R | Command + Shift + R | Web browser |
The new-chat combination is a ChatGPT interface shortcut. Several other entries above are standard browser or operating-system controls that are especially useful while writing prompts. ChatGPT changes its interface regularly, so follow any shortcut label shown in your own sidebar or menu if it differs from this list.
How to start a new ChatGPT conversation from the keyboard
On a Mac, press Shift + Command + O. On Windows or Linux, use Shift + Ctrl + O. ChatGPT currently displays this combination beside the New chat option in its sidebar.
Starting a clean conversation is useful when an old chat has become very long, ChatGPT keeps carrying forward an unwanted assumption, or a response gets stuck. If ChatGPT repeatedly misunderstands a request, also see our guide on fixing vague or inconsistent ChatGPT answers.
How to create paragraphs without sending the prompt
Pressing Enter normally submits what you have typed. Use Shift + Enter to add a line break instead. This is helpful when a prompt contains separate instructions, examples or a checklist.
For example, you can structure a prompt as:
Task: Summarise the attached report.
Audience: A beginner.
Length: Five bullet points.
Important: Mention the risks and unanswered questions.
Clear formatting does not activate a hidden mode, but it makes the instruction easier for the model to follow.
Editing a long prompt faster
Standard text-editing shortcuts continue to work inside the ChatGPT message box. Use Select All before replacing a draft, Undo if you accidentally remove text, and Copy before refreshing a page that appears frozen.
On most computers, holding Shift while using the arrow keys selects text. Adding Ctrl on Windows or Option on Mac can move the cursor by a word, while Command plus an arrow on Mac moves toward the beginning or end of a line or document. Exact behaviour can differ between a browser and the desktop app.
ChatGPT shortcuts versus slash commands
| Type | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard shortcut | Performs an interface action | Starting a new chat |
| Slash command | May open a supported menu or tool | Typing / and selecting an option that actually appears |
| @ mention | May select an available GPT, app or tool | Typing @ and choosing an item from the displayed menu |
| Prompt | Describes the result you want from the AI | “Rewrite this in simple English” |
A sentence such as “/humanise this text” may simply be treated as normal prompt text if the interface does not recognise it. Do not assume that a viral list of commands represents real product features.
Why a ChatGPT keyboard shortcut may not work
The message box is not focused
Click once inside the prompt field and try again. Some editing commands only apply to the field that currently has focus.
Your browser uses the same key combination
A browser, extension or password manager may intercept a combination before ChatGPT receives it. Test the shortcut in an incognito window or another browser.
The web and desktop interfaces are different
A shortcut available on the ChatGPT website may not behave identically in the Windows or macOS app. Mobile keyboards also hide many desktop combinations.
Your keyboard layout changes the keys
International layouts, remapped modifier keys and accessibility software can change a shortcut. Mac users should generally translate Ctrl-based Windows instructions to Command only when the interface displays that equivalent.
The ChatGPT page is stuck
Copy any unsent prompt, refresh the page, and sign in again if needed. If the entire interface is failing, use our ChatGPT network error troubleshooting guide.
How to check the currently supported shortcuts
Open the ChatGPT sidebar and look for key combinations shown beside actions such as New chat. You can also check the Help or settings menu if a keyboard-shortcut reference is available in your version. Trust the labels in the live interface over screenshots from old posts because shortcuts can be added, moved or removed.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one shortcut that lists every ChatGPT command?
Not every interface or account exposes the same shortcut panel. Check the Help menu and the labels displayed in your current app. Remember that prompts and slash-prefixed phrases are not necessarily keyboard shortcuts.
Why does Enter send my message?
That is the normal message-box behaviour. Use Shift + Enter when you want a new line.
Do ChatGPT keyboard shortcuts work on Android and iPhone?
Most modifier-key shortcuts are intended for physical desktop keyboards. A paired external keyboard may support standard editing commands, but the mobile app can behave differently.
Can I create my own ChatGPT keyboard shortcuts?
ChatGPT does not provide a universal custom-shortcut editor for every interface. Operating-system automation tools may create local shortcuts, but they are separate from built-in ChatGPT commands and can stop working when the interface changes.
Final takeaway
The most useful ChatGPT keyboard habits are simple: start a clean chat quickly, use Shift + Enter for structured prompts, and rely on standard copy, paste and undo controls while editing. When you see a claimed “secret command,” first check whether ChatGPT actually shows it as an interface option.
