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A reference to the default keyboard-and-mouse controls for Elite Dangerous, Frontier Developments' open-world space simulator. Covers ship flight (pitch, roll, yaw and thrusters), throttle, targeting and weapons, the Frame Shift Drive, ship systems, the four UI panels, and basic on-foot movement.
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All Elite Dangerous keyboard controls
39 default keybinds across 8 categories. Most can be reassigned in Elite Dangerous's control settings.
+ 4 more controls in the table below
+ 4 more controls in the table below
Flight 9
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Pitch (nose up/down) | Mouse |
| Roll (left/right) | Mouse |
| Yaw Left | A |
| Yaw Right | D |
| Lateral Thrust Left | Q |
| Lateral Thrust Right | E |
| Toggle Flight Assist | Z |
| Thrust Up | R |
| Thrust Down | F |
Ship Systems 7
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Power to Engines | UP |
| Power to Weapons | RIGHT |
| Power to Systems | LEFT |
| Toggle Landing Gear | L |
| Balance Power | DOWN |
| Toggle Cargo Scoop | HOME |
| Toggle Ship Lights | INSERT |
UI Panels 5
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open Left (Target/Navigation) Panel | 1 |
| Open Right (Systems/Internal) Panel | 4 |
| Open Comms Panel | 2 |
| Open Role Panel | 3 |
| Toggle Headlook (Free Look) | MMB |
Throttle 4
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Increase Throttle | W |
| Decrease Throttle | S |
| Set Speed to Zero | X |
| Engine Boost | Tab |
Targeting 4
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select Target Ahead | T |
| Cycle Next Target | G |
| Target Highest Threat | H |
| Cycle Next Subsystem | Y |
Weapons 4
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Deploy Hardpoints | U |
| Fire Primary Weapons | LMB |
| Fire Secondary Weapons | RMB |
| Cycle Next Fire Group | N |
Navigation 3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle Frame Shift Drive | J |
| Open Galaxy Map | M |
| Open System Map | . |
On Foot 3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Move Forward (On Foot) | W |
| Sprint (On Foot) | Shift |
| Jump (On Foot) | Space |
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Unofficial reference. ShortcutPosters is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Elite Dangerous. All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. See our licensing & trademark notice.
Elite Dangerous controls — FAQ
- What are the default controls for Elite Dangerous?
- Elite Dangerous, a simulation game, uses 39 default keybinds across 8 categories. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.
- Can you remap Elite Dangerous controls?
- Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Elite Dangerous's in-game control or key-binding settings.
- Which platforms do these Elite Dangerous controls cover?
- These keyboard controls apply on Windows. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.
- Is this an official Elite Dangerous resource?
- No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elite Dangerous or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
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