Cheat sheet guide
GIMP shortcuts worth learning first
This page collects 55 searchable GIMP keyboard shortcuts across 5 categories. Start with the shortcuts for File, Tools, Edit & Selection, Layers, then print the cheat sheet once the important ones are worth keeping nearby.
- New imageCtrlN
- Rectangle SelectR
- UndoCtrlZ
- New layerCtrlShiftN
- Zoom inCtrl=+
- Open imageCtrlO
File
6 shortcuts
Overwrite file
CtrlAltShiftS
WindowsCtrlAltShiftSmacOS⌘⌥ShiftSLinuxCtrlAltShiftS
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S · Cmd+Opt+Shift+S
Revert to saved
No default shortcut
No default shortcut
Tools
24 shortcuts
Rectangle Select
R
WindowsRmacOSRLinuxR
Ellipse Select
E
WindowsEmacOSELinuxE
Free Select (Lasso)
F
WindowsFmacOSFLinuxF
Fuzzy Select (Magic Wand)
U
WindowsUmacOSULinuxU
Move tool
M
WindowsMmacOSMLinuxM
Paintbrush
P
WindowsPmacOSPLinuxP
Pencil
N
WindowsNmacOSNLinuxN
Blend / Gradient
L
WindowsLmacOSLLinuxL
Clone tool
C
WindowsCmacOSCLinuxC
Heal tool
H
WindowsHmacOSHLinuxH
Smudge
S
WindowsSmacOSSLinuxS
Text tool
T
WindowsTmacOSTLinuxT
Path tool
B
WindowsBmacOSBLinuxB
Color picker / Eyedropper
O
WindowsOmacOSOLinuxO
Zoom tool
Z
WindowsZmacOSZLinuxZ
Edit & Selection
11 shortcuts
Feather selection
CtrlShiftF
WindowsCtrlShiftFmacOS⌘ShiftFLinuxCtrlShiftF
Ctrl+Shift+F · Cmd+Shift+F
Layers
6 shortcuts
Move layer down
CtrlPageDown
WindowsCtrlPageDownmacOS⌘PageDownLinuxCtrlPageDown
Ctrl+PageDown · Cmd+PageDown
View
7 shortcuts
Toggle snap to guides
CtrlShift;
WindowsCtrlShift;macOS⌘Shift;LinuxCtrlShift;
Ctrl+Shift+; · Cmd+Shift+;
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to find GIMP shortcuts on this page?
Use the search box or press /, then type an action such as new image.
Can I print this GIMP shortcut cheat sheet?
Yes. Use the Print / PDF button or your browser print command to save a compact cheat sheet.
Which operating systems are included for GIMP?
This reference includes shortcuts for Windows · macOS · Linux. Availability depends on the action and app version.
