What are the default controls for Need for Speed?

Need for Speed, a racing game, uses 28 default keybinds across 4 categories — on keyboard and controller. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.

Can you remap Need for Speed controls?

Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Need for Speed's in-game control or key-binding settings.

Does Need for Speed support a controller?

Yes — Need for Speed has full gamepad support. The Xbox, PlayStation and Steam Deck button maps are shown on this page alongside the keyboard controls.

Which platforms do these Need for Speed controls cover?

These keyboard controls apply on Windows. Need for Speed also released on Xbox and PlayStation, and this page carries those controller bindings too. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.

Is this an official Need for Speed resource?

No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Need for Speed or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Windows · 28 default keybinds

✓ Steam Deck ready

Need for Speed Keyboard & Controller Controls

Racing games → Part of the Need for Speed collection →

Need for Speed is Ghost Games' 2015 reboot of the series, an always-night open world set in Ventura Bay where you earn reputation through races, drift events and police chases while building out a garage of tuned cars. These are the default PC keyboard keys and Xbox-layout controller buttons from EA's own PC manual.

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All Need for Speed controls

28 default keybinds across 4 categories. Most can be reassigned in Need for Speed's control settings. Switch to Gamepad to see Xbox, PlayStation and Steam Deck buttons side by side.

Layout

⌫ Back

Tab

[

]

Caps

;

Enter ⏎

Shift

Ctrl

Win

Alt

Space

Alt

Win

Ctrl

↑

←

↓

→

+ 3 more controls in the table below

Driving 10

Action	Shortcut
Accelerate	`W`
Brake	`S`
Steer Left	`LEFT`
Steer Right	`RIGHT`
Boost / Nitro	`Shift`
E-Brake	`Space`
Reverse (hold)	`S`
Manual Gear Up	`E`
Manual Gear Down	`Q`
Engine Off	`X`

Menus 7

Action	Shortcut
Map	`O`
Cellphone	`Tab`
Activate	`PgDn`
Need for Speed Network Menu	`Bksp`
Answer Cellphone	`PgUp`
Skip Music Track	`T`
Wrap Editor Help (Garage)	`Tab`

Camera 5

Action	Shortcut
Change Camera	`C`
Rotate Camera Left	`A`
Rotate Camera Right	`D`
Rotate Camera Back	`DOWN`
Snapshot	`PrtSc`

Sourced from eaassets-a.akamaihd.net Last verified September 30, 2026

Action	XboxPlayStationSteam Deck
Accelerate	`RTR2R2`
Brake	`LTL2L2`
Steer Left	`L-Stick`
Steer Right	`L-Stick`
Boost / Nitro	`A✕A`
E-Brake	`X■X`
Reverse (hold)	`LTL2L2`
Manual Gear Up	`R-Stick`
Manual Gear Down	`R-Stick`
Engine Off	`B●B`

Action	XboxPlayStationSteam Deck
Map	`D-Pad ↑`
Cellphone	`MenuOptionsMenu`
Activate	`RBR1R1`
Need for Speed Network Menu	`ViewShareView`
Answer Cellphone	`LBL1L1`
Skip Music Track	`LSL3L3`
Wrap Editor Help (Garage)	`MenuOptionsMenu`

Action	XboxPlayStationSteam Deck
Initiate Challenge	`RBR1R1`
Pay Fine	`RBR1R1`
Send Race Challenge	`X■X`
Send Drift Challenge	`Y▲Y`
Send Outrun Challenge	`A✕A`
Decline / Cancel Challenge	`B●B`

Action	XboxPlayStationSteam Deck
Change Camera	`Y▲Y`
Rotate Camera Left	`R-Stick`
Rotate Camera Right	`R-Stick`
Rotate Camera Back	`R-Stick`
Snapshot	`RSR3R3`

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

Need for Speed controls — FAQ

What are the default controls for Need for Speed?: Need for Speed, a racing game, uses 28 default keybinds across 4 categories — on keyboard and controller. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.
Can you remap Need for Speed controls?: Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Need for Speed's in-game control or key-binding settings.
Does Need for Speed support a controller?: Yes — Need for Speed has full gamepad support. The Xbox, PlayStation and Steam Deck button maps are shown on this page alongside the keyboard controls.
Which platforms do these Need for Speed controls cover?: These keyboard controls apply on Windows. Need for Speed also released on Xbox and PlayStation, and this page carries those controller bindings too. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.
Is this an official Need for Speed resource?: No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Need for Speed or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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Need for Speed controls poster

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All Need for Speed controls

Driving 10

Menus 7

Camera 5

Driving 10

Menus 7

Challenges 6

Camera 5

Need for Speed controls — FAQ

Need for Speed collection

More Racing controls