Multiply that millisecond by, say, 73,000 Gmail actions a year and the seconds add up — to a little more than a minute, that's true. Fortunately, it's possibly more than a millisecond you save by using the keyboard instead of the mouse to navigate and command Gmail.
Either way, Gmail keyboard shortcuts are a joy to use.
Use Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts
To operate Gmail from the keyboard, use the following shortcuts. Typically, you only have to press the stated key (no Ctrl, Alt or Command key required).
In the Message List
- Enter or o: Open the currently focused (as indicated by the black arrow) conversation
- Shift-Enter or Shift-O: Open the current conversation in a new browser window
- x: Check or uncheck a conversation
- j: Go down to the previous conversation
- k: Go up to the next conversation
- u: Refresh the mailbox or label (checking for new messages)
- s: Mark the currently focused conversation with a star
- * (Shift-8) followed by
- a: Check all conversations in the current view
- n: Uncheck all conversations
- r: Check read conversations
- u: Check unread conversations
- s: Check starred conversations
- t: Check conversations not starred
With Messages Checked in a Mailbox or Label
- y: Archive the conversation (if in the Inbox) or remove the current label (if in a label's view)
- e: Archive the conversation (no matter the view)
- # (Shift-3): Delete the conversation
- ! (Shift-1): Mark the conversation as spam
- l: Open the Labels menu to add or remove labels
- v: Open the Move to menu, adding a label and archiving the conversation
- Shift-U: Mark the conversation unread
- Shift-I: Mark the conversation read
- Shift-T: Create a new task linked to the conversation (with Tasks enabled)
- m: Mute the conversation
- Future messages in the same thread will go to the All Mail archive straight away bypassing your Gmail Inbox unless your email address is in the To: or Cc: line.
While Viewing a Conversation
- y: Archive the conversation (if in the Inbox) or remove the current label (if in a label's view)
- e: Archive the conversation (no matter the view)
- # (Shift-3): Delete the conversation
- r: Reply to the sender only
- Shift-R: Start your reply in a new browser window
- a: Reply to the sender and all recipients beside yourself
- Shift-A: Start your reply to all in a new browser window
- f: Forward the conversation
- Shift-F: Start your forward in a new browser window
- ! (Shift-1): Mark the conversation as spam
- s: Mark the conversation with a star
- l: Open the Labels menu to add or remove labels
- v: Open the Move to menu, adding a label and archiving the conversation
- u: Return to the message list
- x: Return to the message list checking or unchecking the current conversation
- Shift-U: Mark the conversation unread and return to the message list
- [: Archive the conversation and open the (chronologically) previous conversation from the message list immediately
- ]: Archive the conversation and open the next conversation from the message list
- Shift-T: Create a new task linked to the conversation (with Tasks enabled)
- m: Mute the conversation
- Shift-N: Update the conversation (when Gmail indicates a new email has arrived that belongs to the current thread)
- n: Move the cursor to the next message in the currently open conversation
- Open a message by pressing Enter after targeting it with the black arrow cursor.
- In a thread encompassing many messages, move the cursor just above the last message whose tab shows the sender, then press Enter to show all message tabs for navigation.
While Composing a Message
- Tab followed by Enter: Send (under Windows)
- Ctrl-S: Save the message as a draft (while composing)
In Gmail Tasks
- Enter: Create a new task above (cursor at the beginning of the current task) or below the current one
- Tab: Indent the task, making it a sub-task
- Shift-Tab: Move the task to the left, promoting it up the task ladder (from sub-task to top level task, for example)
- Ctrl-Up (Windows, Linux) or Command-Up: Move the current task (and its sub-tasks) up
- Ctrl-Down (Windows, Linux) or Command-Down: Move the current task (and its sub-tasks) down
- Shift-Enter: Open the current task's details
- Backspace (in an empty task title; delete the title first): Delete the current task
- Esc: Close Gmail Tasks
- Shift-Esc: Switch the input focus to the main Gmail window
Anywhere in Gmail
- z: Undo the last action if possible (i.e. an Undo link appeared in the yellow status bar near the top)
- c: Start composing a new message
- Shift-C: Start a new message in a new browser window
- . (dot): Open the More Actions menu
- g followed by
- i: Open the Inbox
- c: Open Contacts
- d: Open Drafts
- s: Open Starred
- t: Open Sent Mail
- a: Open your All Mail archive
- k: Open Tasks (with Tasks enabled)
- l: Open any label (with Go to label enabled)
- /: Focus the Web Search field (with Google Search enabled)
- / (forward slash): Move input focus to the Search Mail box
- q: Go to the chat box's Search field
- ?: Show a keyboard shortcut reference sheet
Roll Your Own Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts
If the default shortcuts above do not suit your habits or wishes, you can also define your own set of Gmail keyboard commands.
