What is this page for?

It's a reference for Affinity Photo keyboard shortcuts - 403 of them, organized into 19 categories covering everything from Tools and Layers to Develop, Liquify, Panorama, and Workspace. Both macOS and Windows shortcuts are listed.

With 19 categories, where should someone start?

Tools, Edit, and View are the most immediately useful categories for day-to-day work. If you use layers heavily, Layer operations is worth learning early. Develop is relevant only when you're working in the Develop persona, so you can set that aside until needed.

Do Affinity Photo shortcuts differ between macOS and Windows?

Many shortcuts are identical or close, with the typical Cmd/Ctrl swap. Some shortcuts in workspace and tool switching areas may vary, so check both columns when in doubt.

Should I try to learn all 403 shortcuts?

No. Focus on the handful you'd use in a typical editing session - switching tools, adjusting layers, undoing, and navigating the canvas. The full list is here as a lookup reference, not a study guide.

Affinity Photo Hotkeys and Keyboard Shortcuts

Adjustment and filter

Action	Hotkey
Repeat Filter	`Ctrl` + `f`
Curves (Adjustment)	`Ctrl` + `m`
HSL (Adjustment)	`Ctrl` + `u`
Invert (Adjustment)	`Ctrl` + `i`
Levels (Adjustment)	`Ctrl` + `l`
Black and White (Adjustment)	`Alt` + `shift` + `ctrl` + `b`

Brush

Action	Hotkey
Picks and applies the colour under the cursor	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `click`
Change selected layer content/brush tool’s opacity	`Numeric keys (4=40%, 43=43%, etc.)`
Draw straight line connecting two strokes	`Shift` + `click`
Decrease/increase brush hardness with on-screen readout	`Alt` + `right button down` + `drag (up/down)`
Decrease/increase brush width with on-screen readout	`Alt` + `right button down` + `drag (left/right)`
Increase/decrease brush width (Photo and Liquify Personas)	`] [`
Picks up a new brush colour with colour picker	`Alt` + `drag`

Develop

Action	Hotkey
Red Eye Removal Tool	`R`
Blemish Removal Tool	`L`
Crop Tool	`C`
Overlay Paint Tool	`B`
White Balance Tool	`W`
Overlay Gradient Tool	`G`
Overlay Erase Tool	`E`
View Tool	`H`
Zoom Tool	`Z`
Sampler Tool	`S`

Edit

Action	Hotkey
Undo	`Ctrl` + `z`
Paste FX	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `v`
Paste Inside	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `v`
Redo	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `z`
Fill	`Shift` + `f5`
Paste Style	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `v`
Paste without Format	`Alt` + `shift` + `ctrl` + `v`
Copy Merged	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `c`

Editing

Action	Hotkey
Cancel a sizing, moving, or creating operation	`Esc`
Nudging	`Arrow keys`
Rotate around opposite corner	`Ctrl` + `drag`
Constrain movement horizontally, vertically or diagonally	`Shift` + `drag`
Erase with Pixel Tool on current layer	`Ctrl`
Switch between Stroke/Fill (or Colour 1/Colour 2) colour selectors (Colour and Swatches panels)	`X`
Rotate in 15° intervals	`Shift` + `drag`
Modify attribute listed on a panel or dialog	`Drag attribute text label`
Select multiple	`Shift` + `click`
Resize from centre	`Ctrl` + `drag from a corner handle`
Resize Document	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `i`
Swap Stroke/Fill (or Colour 1/Colour 2) colour selectors	`Shift` + `x`
Mirror shearing	`Ctrl` + `drag`
Reset Selection Box	`. (period)`
Flip golden spiral overlay (crop tool enabled)	`Shift` + `o`
Toggle Snapping	`;`
Toggle between Crop Tool overlays	`O`
Set No fill on Stroke/Fill (or Colour 1/Colour 2) colour selectors	`/ (international and selected keyboards only)`
Select overlapping layer content	`Alt` + `click`
Resize Canvas	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `c`
Nudging (10x measurement units)	`Shift` + `arrow keys`

Export

Action	Hotkey
Layer Select tool	`L`
Slice Tool	`S`

File

Action	Hotkey
Switch Document/View	`Ctrl` + `⇥`
Export	`Alt` + `shift` + `ctrl` + `s`
Open Document	`Ctrl` + `o`
Save	`Ctrl` + `s`
New Document	`Ctrl` + `n`
Close Document/Close App (when no documents open)	`Ctrl` + `w`
Save As	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `s`
Print	`Ctrl` + `p`
New From Clipboard	`Alt` + `shift` + `ctrl` + `n`

Layer operations

Action	Hotkey
Select All Layers	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `a`
Merge Down	`Ctrl` + `e`
Toggle between Frequency Separation layers	`F`
Invert	`Ctrl` + `i`
Merge Visible	`Alt` + `shift` + `ctrl` + `e`
Move Back One	`Ctrl` + `[`
Group	`Ctrl` + `g`
Merge Selected	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `e`
Ungroup	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `g`
Move to Back	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `[`
New Layer	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `n`
Move Forward One	`Ctrl` + `]`
Move to Front	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `]`
Duplicate	`Ctrl` + `j`

Liquify

Action	Hotkey
Liquify Twirl Tool	`T`
Liquify Pinch Tool	`U`
Liquify Thaw Tool	`W`
Liquify Push Forward Tool	`P`
Liquify Mesh Clone Tool	`C`
Liquify Push Left Tool	`L`
Liquify Turbulence Tool	`B`
Liquify View Tool	`H`
Liquify Zoom Tool	`Z`
Mask All	`Ctrl` + `d`
Liquify Freeze Tool	`F`
Clear Mask	`Ctrl` + `a`
Invert Mask	`Ctrl` + `i`
Liquify Reconstruct Tool	`R`

Live projection

Action	Hotkey
Edit Live Projection	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `p`

Miscellaneous

Action	Hotkey
Hide Others (applications)	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `h`
Preferences	`Ctrl` + `,`
Liquify Persona	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `l`
Export Persona	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `e`
Media Browser	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `m`
Develop Persona	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `r`

Panorama

Action	Hotkey
Transform Source Image Tool	`A`
Erase From Source Image Mask Tool	`U`
Add to Source Image Mask Tool	`L`

Pixel selection/Mask

Action	Hotkey
Selection from layer	`Ctrl` + `click layer thumbnail or o`
Quick Mask	`Q`
Polygon selection (Freehand Selection Tool only)	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `click on page.`
Select All	`Ctrl` + `a`
Selection from layer luminosity	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `click layer thumbnail`
Deselect	`Ctrl` + `d`
Refine Edges	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `r`
Move selection in 1-pixel increments	`Arrow key`
Add to selection (Marquee/Free hand selection tools only)	`Ctrl`
Remove from selection	`Alt`
Invert Pixel Selection	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `i`
Feather	`Shift` + `f6`
Invert Mask	`Ctrl` + `i`
Grow/Shrink	`Ctrl` + `b`
Move selection in 10-pixel increments	`Shift` + `arrow key`

Text

Action	Hotkey
Italic	`Ctrl` + `i`
Precise Raise Baseline	`Alt` + `shift` + `ctrl` + `up`
Subscript	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `–`
Justify Left	`Shift` + `alt` + `ctrl` + `\`
Tighten More	`Alt` + `shift` + `left`
Em Dash	`Alt` + `shift` + `–`
Loosen	`Alt` + `right`
Align Left	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `l`
Align Centre	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `c`
Raise Baseline	`Alt` + `shift` + `up`
Tighten	`Alt` + `left`
Decrease Paragraph Leading	`Alt` + `up`
Increase Paragraph Leading	`Alt` + `down`
Precise Paragraph Decrease Leading	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `up`
Show Character	`Ctrl` + `t`
Show Typography	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `t`
Bold	`Ctrl` + `b`
Spelling Options	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `;`
Lower Baseline	`Alt` + `shift` + `down`
Special Characters	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `space`
Smaller text	`Ctrl` + `<`
Line Break	`Ctrl` + `↵`
Align Right	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `r`
Precise bigger text	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `>`
Superscript	`Ctrl` + `alt` +
Loosen More	`Alt` + `shift` + `right`
Underline	`Ctrl` + `u`
Precise smaller text	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `<`
Precise Paragraph Increase Leading	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `down`
Bigger text	`Ctrl` + `>`
Non Breaking Space	`Alt` + `space`
En Dash	`Alt` + `–`
Precise Lower Baseline	`Alt` + `shift` + `ctrl` + `down`

Tone mapping

Action	Hotkey
Overlay Paint Tool	`B`
Zoom Tool	`Z`
Overlay Gradient Tool	`G`
View Tool	`H`
Overlay Erase Tool	`E`

Tools

Action	Hotkey
Pen and Node Tool cycle	`P`
Move Tool	`V`
Text Tools cycle	`T`
Marquee Selection Tools cycle	`M`
Clone Tool	`S`
Painting Tools cycle	`B`
Crop Tool	`C`
Erase Tools cycle	`E`
View Tool	`H`
Zoom Tool	`Z`
Flood Fill Tool / Gradient cycle	`G`
Dodge, Burn and Sponge Brush Tool cycle	`O`
Retouch Tools cycle	`J`
Free Hand Selection Tool	`L`
Selection Tools cycle	`W`
Shape Tools cycle	`U`

Vector graphics

Action	Hotkey
Convert to Curves	`Ctrl` + `↵`
Snap a curve’s control handle to 45° intervals	`Shift` + `drag control handle`
Creates cusp node (sharp corner)	`Alt` + `drag control handle`
Resize maintaining aspect ratio	`Shift` + `drag from a corner handle`
Edit curves as you draw using node editing (from pen)	`Ctrl`

View

Action	Hotkey
Split View cycle (Liquify/Develop Persona)	`,`
(Zoom to) 800%	`Ctrl` + `4`
(Zoom to) 100%	`Ctrl` + `1`
Switch between views	`Ctrl` + `⇥`
Hot key zoom in	`Space` + `ctrl`
Grid Plane cycle	`‘`
(Zoom to) 400%	`Ctrl` + `3`
Zoom Out	`Ctrl` + `–`
Show Grid	`Ctrl` + `‘`
Show Guides	`Ctrl` + `;`
View Tool	`H`
(Zoom to) Pixel Size	`Ctrl` + `9`
(Zoom to) 200%	`Ctrl` + `2`
Zoom to Fit	`Ctrl` + `0`
Toggle Full Screen
Zoom In	`Ctrl` +`+`
Show Rulers	`Ctrl` + `r`
Scroll vertically up/down	`Mouse scroll wheel`
Hot key panning	`Space`
Hot key zoom out	`Space` + `alt` + `click`
(Zoom to) Actual Size	`Ctrl` + `8`
Scroll horizontally left/right	`Shift` + `mouse wheel`

Workspace

Action	Hotkey
Toggle UI	`⇥`
Hide Workspace	`Ctrl` + `h`
Show/Hide Toolbar	`Alt` + `ctrl` + `t`
Show/Hide Studio (panels)	`Shift` + `ctrl` + `h`

Adjustment and filter6

Brush7

Develop10

Edit8

Editing21

Export2

File9

Layer operations14

Liquify14

Live projection1

Miscellaneous6

Panorama3

Pixel selection/Mask15

Text33

Tone mapping5

Tools16

Vector graphics5

View22

Workspace4

Adjustment and filter6

Brush7

Develop10

Edit8

Editing21

Export2

File9

Layer operations14

Liquify14

Live projection1

Miscellaneous6

Panorama3

Pixel selection/Mask15

Text33

Tone mapping5

Tools16

Vector graphics5

View22

Workspace4

Affinity Photo Hotkeys

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this page for?

With 19 categories, where should someone start?

Do Affinity Photo shortcuts differ between macOS and Windows?

Should I try to learn all 403 shortcuts?

Related Apps

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Inkscape

Adjustment and filter

Brush

Develop

Edit

Editing

Export

File

Layer operations

Liquify

Live projection

Miscellaneous

Panorama

Pixel selection/Mask

Text

Tone mapping

Tools

Vector graphics

View

Workspace

Adjustment and filter

Brush

Develop

Edit

Editing

Export

File

Layer operations

Liquify

Live projection

Miscellaneous

Panorama

Pixel selection/Mask

Text

Tone mapping

Tools

Vector graphics

View

Workspace