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GNU EMACSKEYBOARD SHORTCUTS · MAC · 47 ESSENTIAL12345⌥ ⇧Query repl…67890Q⌥Fill (reflow)…W⌃Kill regionE⌃Move to en…R⌃Increment…T⌃Transpose…Y⌃Yank (past…UIO⌃Insert newl…P⌃Previous li…A⌃Move to b…S⌃Increment…D⌃Delete cha…F⌃Move forw…G⌃Abort curr…H⌃Run tutorialJK⌃Kill (cut) to…L⌃Redraw ga…Z⌃Suspend / i…X⌃Find (open…CV⌃Scroll to ne…B⌃Move back…N⌃Next lineMMORE SHORTCUTSSave file⌃X›⌃SUndo an unwant…⌃X›UExecute extende…⌥XCopy region to ki…⌥WSelect another b…⌃X›BExit Emacs perm…⌃X›⌃CSet mark here⌃␣Mark entire buffer⌃X›HDelete all other…⌃X›1Switch cursor to…⌃X›OSave all files⌃X›SGo to buffer begi…⌥⇧,Go to buffer end⌥⇧.Split window ab…⌃X›2Split window sid…⌃X›3Delete this wind…⌃X›0List all buffers⌃X›⌃BKill a buffer⌃X›KIndent line⇥Write buffer to a…⌃X›⌃WMove forward on…⌥FMove backward…⌥BScroll to previou…⌥VGo to line⌥G›⌥GKill word forward⌥Dshortcutposters.comUPDATED JAN 2026 · COMPATIBLE WITH GNU EMACS · MAC
FILESFind (open) file⌃X›⌃FSave file⌃X›⌃SSave all files⌃X›SWrite buffer to a file⌃X›⌃WInsert file into buffer⌃X›IToggle read-only status of buffer⌃X›⌃QKILLING AND DELETINGKill (cut) to end of line⌃KKill region (cut)⌃WCopy region to kill ring⌥WYank (paste) last kill⌃YDelete character forward⌃DKill word forward⌥DReplace last yank with previous kill⌥YLEAVING EMACSExit Emacs permanently⌃X›⌃CSuspend / iconify Emacs⌃ZHELPRun tutorial⌃H›TApropos: commands matching a s…⌃H›ADescribe the function a key runs⌃H›KDescribe a function⌃H›FERROR RECOVERYAbort current command⌃GUndo an unwanted change⌃X›URedraw garbaged screen⌃LEDITINGExecute extended command (M-x)⌥XIndent line (mode-dependent)⇥Insert newline after point⌃OTranspose characters⌃TFill (reflow) paragraph⌥QBUFFERSSelect another buffer⌃X›BList all buffers⌃X›⌃BKill a buffer⌃X›KMARKINGSet mark here⌃␣Mark entire buffer⌃X›HExchange point and mark⌃X›⌃XSEARCHIncremental search forward⌃SIncremental search backward⌃RQuery replace⌥⇧5Regular expression search⌃⌥SMOTIONMove to beginning of line⌃AMove to end of line⌃EMove forward one character⌃FMove backward one character⌃BNext line⌃NPrevious line⌃PGo to buffer beginning⌥⇧,Go to buffer end⌥⇧.Move forward one word⌥FMove backward one word⌥BScroll to next screen⌃VScroll to previous screen⌥VGo to line⌥G›⌥GWINDOWSDelete all other windows⌃X›1Switch cursor to another window⌃X›OSplit window above and below⌃X›2Split window side by side⌃X›3Delete this window⌃X›0GNU EmacsKEYBOARD SHORTCUTS · MAC · 55BOTH LAYOUTSQWERTYQWERTYAZERTYAZERTYshortcutposters.comUPDATED JAN 2026 · COMPATIBLE WITH GNU EMACS · MAC
FILES06Find (open) file⌃X›⌃FSave file⌃X›⌃SSave all files⌃X›SWrite buffer to a file⌃X›⌃WInsert file into buffer⌃X›IToggle read-only status of b…⌃X›⌃QKILLING AND DELETING07Kill (cut) to end of line⌃KKill region (cut)⌃WCopy region to kill ring⌥WYank (paste) last kill⌃YDelete character forward⌃DKill word forward⌥DReplace last yank with previ…⌥YLEAVING EMACS02Exit Emacs permanently⌃X›⌃CSuspend / iconify Emacs⌃ZHELP04Run tutorial⌃H›TApropos: commands matching a…⌃H›ADescribe the function a key…⌃H›KDescribe a function⌃H›FERROR RECOVERY03Abort current command⌃GUndo an unwanted change⌃X›URedraw garbaged screen⌃LEDITING05Execute extended command⌥XIndent line (mode-dependent)⇥Insert newline after point⌃OTranspose characters⌃TFill (reflow) paragraph⌥QBUFFERS03Select another buffer⌃X›BList all buffers⌃X›⌃BKill a buffer⌃X›KMARKING03Set mark here⌃␣Mark entire buffer⌃X›HExchange point and mark⌃X›⌃XSEARCH04Incremental search forward⌃SIncremental search backward⌃RQuery replace⌥⇧5Regular expression search⌃⌥SMOTION13Move to beginning of line⌃AMove to end of line⌃EMove forward one character⌃FMove backward one character⌃BNext line⌃NPrevious line⌃PGo to buffer beginning⌥⇧,Go to buffer end⌥⇧.Move forward one word⌥FMove backward one word⌥BScroll to next screen⌃VScroll to previous screen⌥VGo to line⌥G›⌥GWINDOWS05Delete all other windows⌃X›1Switch cursor to another win…⌃X›OSplit window above and below⌃X›2Split window side by side⌃X›3Delete this window⌃X›0GNU EmacsKEYBOARD SHORTCUTS · MAC · 55BOTH LAYOUTSQWERTYQWERTYAZERTYAZERTYshortcutposters.comUPDATED JAN 2026 · COMPATIBLE WITH GNU EMACS · MAC
GNU EMACS · KEYBOARD SHORTCUTSMac · 11 SETS · No.01GNU EMACSTOTAL55SHORTCUTSFOR MAC · SHIPPED COMBOSSETSFILES06ERROR RECOVER03SEARCH04EDITING05MOTION13KILLING AND D07BUFFERS03LEAVING EMACS02MARKING03WINDOWS05HELP04REF. EDITION · JAN 2026shortcutposters.comFind (open) file⌃X›⌃FSave file⌃X›⌃SSave all files⌃X›SWrite buffer to a file⌃X›⌃WInsert file into buffer⌃X›IToggle read-only status of buf…⌃X›⌃QAbort current command⌃GUndo an unwanted change⌃X›URedraw garbaged screen⌃LIncremental search forward⌃SIncremental search backward⌃RQuery replace⌥⇧5Regular expression search⌃⌥SExecute extended command (M-x)⌥XIndent line (mode-dependent)⇥Insert newline after point⌃OTranspose characters⌃TFill (reflow) paragraph⌥QMove to beginning of line⌃AMove to end of line⌃EMove forward one character⌃FMove backward one character⌃BNext line⌃NPrevious line⌃PGo to buffer beginning⌥⇧,Go to buffer end⌥⇧.Move forward one word⌥FMove backward one word⌥BScroll to next screen⌃VScroll to previous screen⌥VGo to line⌥G›⌥GKill (cut) to end of line⌃KKill region (cut)⌃WCopy region to kill ring⌥WYank (paste) last kill⌃YDelete character forward⌃DKill word forward⌥DReplace last yank with previous kill⌥YSelect another buffer⌃X›BList all buffers⌃X›⌃BKill a buffer⌃X›KExit Emacs permanently⌃X›⌃CSuspend / iconify Emacs⌃ZSet mark here⌃␣Mark entire buffer⌃X›HExchange point and mark⌃X›⌃XDelete all other windows⌃X›1Switch cursor to another window⌃X›OSplit window above and below⌃X›2Split window side by side⌃X›3Delete this window⌃X›0Run tutorial⌃H›TApropos: commands matching a…⌃H›ADescribe the function a key runs⌃H›KDescribe a function⌃H›F

GNU Emacs Keyboard Shortcuts Poster

Mac edition · 55 shortcuts

A printable, framed-quality poster of the essential GNU Emacs shortcuts for Mac — the keys worth keeping in view, designed to stay readable on a wall.

Edition

Free PNG is web-resolution & lightly watermarked.

Customise this poster Pick the shortcuts, restyle the colours — download free. Get the framed-quality print Full 300 DPI, print-ready — at home or shipped to your door.

GNU Emacs is a highly extensible text editor and computing environment that users tailor with Lisp for coding, writing, and beyond. Famous for its keyboard-driven design, its shortcuts and chords let you navigate, edit, and run commands almost entirely from the keys.

All GNU Emacs keyboard shortcuts (Mac)

Layout
`
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
-
=
⌫
Tab
Q
W
E
R
T
Y
U
I
O
P
[
]
\
⇪
A
S
D
F
G
H
J
K
L
;
'
↩
Shift
Z
X
C
V
B
N
M
,
.
/
Shift
⌃
⌘
⌥
Space
⌥
⌘
⌃
↑
←
↓
→

55 shortcuts

Motion 13

Action Shortcut
Move to beginning of line ⌃A
Move to end of line ⌃E
Move forward one character ⌃F
Move backward one character ⌃B
Next line ⌃N
Previous line ⌃P
Go to buffer beginning ⌥⇧,
Go to buffer end ⌥⇧.
Move forward one word ⌥F
Move backward one word ⌥B
Scroll to next screen ⌃V
Scroll to previous screen ⌥V
Go to line ⌥Gthen⌥G

Killing and Deleting 7

Action Shortcut
Kill (cut) to end of line ⌃K
Kill region (cut) ⌃W
Copy region to kill ring ⌥W
Yank (paste) last kill ⌃Y
Delete character forward ⌃D
Kill word forward ⌥D
Replace last yank with previous kill ⌥Y

Files 6

Action Shortcut
Find (open) file ⌃Xthen⌃F
Save file ⌃Xthen⌃S
Save all files ⌃XthenS
Write buffer to a file ⌃Xthen⌃W
Insert file into buffer ⌃XthenI
Toggle read-only status of buffer ⌃Xthen⌃Q

Windows 5

Action Shortcut
Delete all other windows ⌃Xthen1
Switch cursor to another window ⌃XthenO
Split window above and below ⌃Xthen2
Split window side by side ⌃Xthen3
Delete this window ⌃Xthen0

Editing 5

Action Shortcut
Execute extended command (M-x) ⌥X
Indent line (mode-dependent) ⇥
Insert newline after point ⌃O
Transpose characters ⌃T
Fill (reflow) paragraph ⌥Q

Search 4

Action Shortcut
Incremental search forward ⌃S
Incremental search backward ⌃R
Query replace ⌥⇧5
Regular expression search ⌃⌥S

Help 4

Action Shortcut
Run tutorial ⌃HthenT
Apropos: commands matching a string ⌃HthenA
Describe the function a key runs ⌃HthenK
Describe a function ⌃HthenF

Error Recovery 3

Action Shortcut
Abort current command ⌃G
Undo an unwanted change ⌃XthenU
Redraw garbaged screen ⌃L

Marking 3

Action Shortcut
Set mark here ⌃␣
Mark entire buffer ⌃XthenH
Exchange point and mark ⌃Xthen⌃X

Buffers 3

Action Shortcut
Select another buffer ⌃XthenB
List all buffers ⌃Xthen⌃B
Kill a buffer ⌃XthenK

Leaving Emacs 2

Action Shortcut
Exit Emacs permanently ⌃Xthen⌃C
Suspend / iconify Emacs ⌃Z

Sourced from gnu.org Last verified

Unofficial reference. ShortcutPosters is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by GNU Emacs. All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. See our licensing & trademark notice.

Frequently asked questions

Does the poster include every GNU Emacs shortcut?
GNU Emacs has 55 keyboard shortcuts on macOS — the complete list is free to read on this page. The poster features the most essential ones, curated to stay readable on a wall.
Can I print it at home?
Yes. The digital download is a high-resolution 300 DPI file you can print at home or at any print shop, in standard frame sizes.
Does it cover both Mac and Windows?
We sell a separate edition per platform so every key matches your keyboard exactly. This page is the macOS edition.
Is this an official GNU Emacs product?
No. This is an unofficial reference poster and is not affiliated with or endorsed by GNU Emacs. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Promote your app

Built an app with great keyboard shortcuts? Get it into the database — a free, searchable reference page, and an optional printable poster your power users will pin to the wall.

  • Free shortcut reference page
  • Indexed & searchable
  • Optional framed poster