Windows · 22 default keybinds
Hollow Knight Keyboard & Controller Controls
A complete reference to the default keyboard controls for Hollow Knight on PC. Learn the default keybindings for movement, jumping, nail attacks, dashing, casting spells, focusing to heal, the Dream Nail, Super Dash, and menus so you can explore Hallownest with confidence.
All Hollow Knight controls
22 default keybinds across 4 categories. Most can be reassigned in Hollow Knight's control settings. Switch to Gamepad to see Xbox and PlayStation buttons side by side.
Movement 9
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Move Left | LEFT |
| Move Right | RIGHT |
| Jump | Z |
| Move Up / Climb / Aim Up | UP |
| Move Down / Drop / Aim Down | DOWN |
| Dash | C |
| Super Dash (Crystal Heart) | S |
| Look Up (hold) | UP |
| Look Down (hold) | DOWN |
Abilities 7
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Cast Spell (Focus / Cast) | A |
| Focus / Heal (hold) | A |
| Vengeful Spirit / Shade Soul (cast forward) | A |
| Dream Nail | D |
| Quick Cast | F |
| Howling Wraiths / Abyss Shriek (cast up) | UPA |
| Desolate Dive / Descending Dark (cast down) | DOWNA |
Combat 3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Attack (Nail) | X |
| Down Slash / Pogo (Attack + Down) | DOWNX |
| Up Slash (Attack + Up) | UPX |
Interface 3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Pause / Menu | Esc |
| Open Inventory | I |
| Quick Map | Tab |
Sourced from hollowknight.wiki , hollowknight.wiki.fextralife.com , hollowknight.fandom.com Last verified
Movement 9
| Action | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|
| Move Left | L-Stick | L-Stick |
| Move Right | L-Stick | L-Stick |
| Jump | A | ✕ |
| Move Up / Climb / Aim Up | L-Stick | L-Stick |
| Move Down / Drop / Aim Down | L-Stick | L-Stick |
| Dash | RT | R2 |
| Super Dash (Crystal Heart) | LT | L2 |
| Look Up (hold) | L-Stick | L-Stick |
| Look Down (hold) | L-Stick | L-Stick |
Abilities 7
| Action | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cast Spell (Focus / Cast) | B | ● |
| Focus / Heal (hold) | B | ● |
| Vengeful Spirit / Shade Soul (cast forward) | B | ● |
| Dream Nail | Y | ▲ |
| Quick Cast | RB | R1 |
| Howling Wraiths / Abyss Shriek (cast up) | D-Pad ↑B | D-Pad ↑● |
| Desolate Dive / Descending Dark (cast down) | D-Pad ↓B | D-Pad ↓● |
Combat 3
| Action | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|
| Attack (Nail) | X | ■ |
| Down Slash / Pogo (Attack + Down) | D-Pad ↓X | D-Pad ↓■ |
| Up Slash (Attack + Up) | D-Pad ↑X | D-Pad ↑■ |
Interface 3
| Action | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|
| Pause / Menu | Menu | Options |
| Open Inventory | View | Share |
| Quick Map | LB | L1 |
Sourced from hollowknight.wiki , hollowknight.wiki.fextralife.com , hollowknight.fandom.com Last verified
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