What are the default controls for Sid Meier's Civilization V?

Sid Meier's Civilization V, a strategy game, uses 65 default keybinds across 7 categories. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.

Can you remap Sid Meier's Civilization V controls?

Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Sid Meier's Civilization V's in-game control or key-binding settings.

Which platforms do these Sid Meier's Civilization V controls cover?

These keyboard controls apply on Windows and Mac and Linux. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.

Is this an official Sid Meier's Civilization V resource?

No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sid Meier's Civilization V or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Windows · Mac · Linux · 65 default keybinds

Sid Meier's Civilization V Keyboard Controls

Strategy games → Part of the Civilization collection →

Sid Meier's Civilization V is the 2010 turn-based 4X strategy game from Firaxis Games and 2K that moved the series onto a hex grid and introduced one-unit-per-tile combat. This is a reference to its default PC keyboard shortcuts: ending turns, cycling ready units, ordering workers and air units, and jumping straight to the tech tree, social policies, diplomacy and demographics screens. The rows below are the Keyboard Shortcuts chapter of Firaxis' own 294-page manual, which 2K still serves from Steam — it corrects three keys the fan wikis had wrong and prints a further twenty the entry was missing.

Sid Meier's Civilization V official site ↗ View on Steam ↗

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All Sid Meier's Civilization V keyboard controls

65 default keybinds across 7 categories. Most can be reassigned in Sid Meier's Civilization V's control settings.

Layout

Esc

F10

F11

F12

⌫ Back

Tab

[

]

Caps

;

Enter ⏎

Shift

Ctrl

Win

Alt

Space

Alt

Win

Ctrl

↑

←

↓

→

+ 7 more controls in the table below

65 shortcuts

Workers & Civilians 20

Action	Shortcut
Found City	`B`
Build Improvements (Automated)	`A`
Construct a Road	`R`
Construct a Railroad	`R`
Remove Forest / Jungle / Marsh	`AltC`
Construct a Farm	`I`
Construct a Mine	`N`
Construct a Trading Post	`T`
Cancel Last Mission	`Bksp`
Route To Mode	`AltR`
Construct a Camp	`H`
Construct a Plantation	`P`
Construct a Quarry	`Q`
Construct a Pasture	`P`
Construct a Lumber Mill	`L`
Construct a Fort	`CtrlF`
Construct a Well	`O`
Create Fishing Boats	`F`
Create Offshore Platform	`O`
Build Citadel	`C`

Units 12

Action	Shortcut
Next Unit	`.`
Previous Unit	`,`
Move Mode	`M`
Do Nothing (Skip Unit)	`Space`
Attack	`CtrlA`
Ranged Attack	`B`
Fortify Until Healed	`H`
Explore (Automated)	`E`
Alert	`A`
Sleep	`F`
Set Up Artillery	`S`
Delete the Unit	`Del`

Map & Camera 11

Action	Shortcut
Strategic View	`F10`
Toggle Hex Grid	`G`
Show Resource Icons	`R`
Show Yield Icons	`Y`
Zoom In	`+`
Zoom Out	`−`
Capital City View	`Home`
Zoom In (alternate)	`PgUp`
Zoom Out (alternate)	`PgDn`
Capital City View (alternate)	`Ins`
Capital City View (alternate 2)	`End`

Screens & Reports 9

Action	Shortcut
Civilopedia	`F1`
Economic Info	`F2`
Military Info	`F3`
Diplomacy Info	`F4`
Social Policies Screen	`F5`
Tech Screen	`F6`
Notification Log	`F7`
Victory Progress	`F8`
Demographics	`F9`

Air Units 5

Action	Shortcut
Rebase Mode	`AltR`
Air Strike Mode	`S`
Air Sweep	`AltS`
Intercept	`I`
Nuke Mode	`N`

Menus 5

Action	Shortcut
Quick Save	`F11`
Quick Load	`F12`
Save Game	`CtrlS`
Load Game	`CtrlL`
Game Options	`CtrlO`

General 3

Action	Shortcut
End Turn	`Enter`
End Turn (alternate)	`CtrlSpace`
Menu	`Esc`

Sourced from store.steampowered.com, shared.fastly.steamstatic.com Last verified September 21, 2026 Shortcuts last changed September 21, 2026

Unofficial reference. ShortcutPosters is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Sid Meier's Civilization V. All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. See our licensing & trademark notice.

Sid Meier's Civilization V controls — FAQ

What are the default controls for Sid Meier's Civilization V?: Sid Meier's Civilization V, a strategy game, uses 65 default keybinds across 7 categories. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.
Can you remap Sid Meier's Civilization V controls?: Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Sid Meier's Civilization V's in-game control or key-binding settings.
Which platforms do these Sid Meier's Civilization V controls cover?: These keyboard controls apply on Windows and Mac and Linux. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.
Is this an official Sid Meier's Civilization V resource?: No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sid Meier's Civilization V or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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