What is this page about?

This page lists keyboard shortcuts for Paint.NET on Windows. It covers 257 shortcuts across 35 sections, ranging from individual tools like the Clone Stamp and Magic Wand to menus like Layers, Effects, and View.

Which sections are worth learning first?

Start with Tool Shortcuts and Tool Bar, since those shortcuts apply no matter what you're working on. Then pick up Edit Menu and Layers Menu shortcuts, as those come up constantly in everyday editing.

Does this page cover Paint.NET on Mac or Linux?

No. Paint.NET runs on Windows only, so every shortcut listed here is for the Windows version.

Do I need to memorize all 257 shortcuts?

Not at all. Most workflows only touch a handful of sections. Focus on the tools and menus you use daily, and treat the rest as a reference you can come back to when something slows you down.

How broadly does this page cover Paint.NET's interface?

It covers the full application: drawing and selection tools, color and layers windows, all main menus, canvas controls, zoom, history, and even the command-line protocol. If there is a shortcut in Paint.NET, it should be somewhere on this page.

Paint NET Hotkeys and Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Hotkey
Hue / Saturation	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `u`
Invert Colors	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `i`
Invert Alpha	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `i`
Levels	`Ctrl` + `l`
Sepia	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `e`
Black & White	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `g`
Curves	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `m`
Brightness / Contrast	`Ctrl` + `shift`+ `t`
Open Adjustments menu	`Alt` + `a`
Posterize	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `p`
Auto-Level	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `l`

Advanced Troubleshooting

Action	Hotkey
Force .NET garbage collection	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `shift` + ` (tick/tilde)

Clone Stamp Tool

Action	Hotkey
Copy pixels	`Drag with left` `right mouse button`
Activate Clone Stamp tool	`L`
Set source point	`Ctrl` + `click with left mouse button`

Color Picker

Action	Hotkey
Sample Composite Image	`Hold down the ctrl button while clicking`
Set Secondary color	`Click with right mouse button`
Activate Color Picker	`K`
Set Primary color	`Click with left mouse button`

Colors Window

Action	Hotkey
Color Wheel - snap Hue to 15° intervals	`Hold ctrl and shift and drag col` `select`
Color Wheel - change Saturation while snapping Hue to 15° intervals	`Hold shift and drag col` `select`
Install color to ACTIVE color slot	`Click col` `wheel with left mouse button`
Reset window	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `f8` `ctrl`+ `shift`
Color Wheel - change Hue only	`Hold ctrl and drag col` `select`
Swap Primary and Secondary colors	`X`
Toggle visibility of window	`F8`
Color Wheel - change Saturation only	`Hold alt and drag col` `select`
Switch active color	`C`
Install color to INACTIVE color slot	`Click col` `wheel with right mouse button`

Command Line (paintdotnet: protocol)

Action	Hotkey
Start paint.net & load an image	`Start > run` + `paintdotnet:"c:\users\"[username]\[path to image]\imagename.png"`

Action	Hotkey
Undo	`Ctrl` + `z`
Open Edit menu	`Alt` + `e`
Copy	`Ctrl` + `c` `ctrl` + `insert`
Deselect active selection	`Ctrl` + `d` `enter`
Erase Selection	`Delete`
Paste	`Ctrl` + `v` `shift` + `insert`
Redo	`Ctrl` + `y`
Cut	`Ctrl` + `x` `shift` + `delete`
Copy Merged	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `c`
Invert Selection	`Ctrl` + `i`
Paste into New Layer	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `v`
Select All	`Ctrl` + `a`
Fill Selection	`Backspace`
Copy Selection	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `shift` + `c`
Paste into New Image	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `v`
Paste Selection (Replace)	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `shift` + `v`

Action	Hotkey
Repeat last effect	`Ctrl` + `f`
Open Effects menu	`Alt` + `c`

Eraser Tool

Action	Hotkey
Activate Eraser tool	`E`
Erase an area	`Click` `drag with either mouse button`

Action	Hotkey
Open Recent	`Alt` + `f , r`
Close Image	`Ctrl` + `w` `ctrl` + `f4`
Exit paint.net	`Alt` + `f4` `alt` + `f then x`
Open File menu	`Alt` + `f`
Save Image As	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `s`
Save All Images	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `s`
Open Image	`Ctrl` + `o`
Print	`Ctrl` + `p`
New Image	`Ctrl` + `n`
Save Image	`Ctrl` + `s`
Acquire	`Alt` + `f , q`

Gradient Tool

Action	Hotkey
Swap gradient direction (i.e. swap color roles)	`Click either nub with right mouse button`
Move gradient	`Drag four arrow icon`
Activate Gradient tool	`G`
Constrain gradient to 15 degree increments	`Hold shift while dragging either nub`
Secondary → Primary gradient	`Drag with right mouse button`
Move start/end point	`Drag either control nub`
Primary → Secondary gradient	`Drag with left mouse button`

Action	Hotkey
Online documentation	`F1`
Open Help menu	`Alt` + `h`

History Window

Action	Hotkey
Redo	`Ctrl` + `y`
Toggle visibility of window	`F6`
Undo	`Ctrl` + `z`
Reset window	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `f6` `ctrl`+ `shift`

Action	Hotkey
Previous image	`Ctrl` + `pgup` `ctrl` + `shift` + `tab`
Switch to image number X	`Ctrl` + `x` `alt` + `x`
Next image	`Ctrl` + `pgdn` `ctrl` + `tab`
Open context menu (current image)	`Alt` + + `(minus symbol)`
Shift image tab left	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `pgup`
Shift image tab right	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `pgdn`

Action	Hotkey
Rotate 180°	`Ctrl` + `h` + `h` `ctrl` + `g` + `g`
Rotate 90° Counter-clockwise	`Ctrl` + `g`
Crop to Selection	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `x`
Canvas Size	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `r`
Resize	`Ctrl` + `r`
Flatten	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `f`
Open Image menu	`Alt` + `i`
Rotate 90° Clockwise	`Ctrl` + `h`

Action	Hotkey
Open Layers menu	`Alt` + `l`
Move active layer to bottom of list	`Ctrl` + `click with left mouse button`
Add New Layer	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `n`
Merge Layer Down	`Ctrl` + `m`
Rotate / Zoom	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `z`
Duplicate Layer	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `d`
Go to Layer Above	`Alt` + `pgup`
Go to Layer Below	`Alt` + `pgdn`
Go to Bottom Layer	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `pgdn`
Layer Properties	`F4`
Toggle Layer Visibility	`Ctrl` + `,`
Delete Layer	`Ctrl` + `shift`+ `delete`
Move active layer to top of list	`Ctrl` + `click with left mouse button`
Go to Top Layer	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `pgup`

Layers Window

Action	Hotkey
Go to Top Layer	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `pgup`
Duplicate Layer	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `d`
Shift editing focus to new layer	`Click new layer with left mouse button`
Add New Layer	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `n`
Go to Layer Below	`Alt` + `pgdn`
Delete Layer	`Ctrl` + `shift`+ `delete`
Move active layer to top of list	`Ctrl` + `click with left mouse button`
Layer Properties	`F4`
Go to Bottom Layer	`Ctrl` + `alt` + `pgdn`
Move active layer to bottom of list	`Ctrl` + `click with left mouse button`
Rotate / Zoom	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `z`
Go to Layer Above	`Alt` + `pgup`
Reset window	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `f7` `ctrl`+ `shift`
Merge Layer Down	`Ctrl` + `m`
Toggle visibility of window	`F7`

Line/Curve Tool

Action	Hotkey
Line style	`. (period key)`
Draw Line/Curve from a center point	`Hold alt while dragging`
Activate Line/Curve tool	`O`
Lock rotation to 15° increments	`Hold shift while rotating`
End Cap style	`/ (fWard slash key)`
Move Line/Curve nubs	`Drag nub with either mouse button` `click & hold the nub and use the arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ →`
Relocate entire Line/Curve	`Drag four`+`Way arrow icon with left mouse button`
Move Line/Curve by 10px	`Hold ctrl and press any arrow key ↑ ← ↓ →`
Start Cap style	`, (comma key)`
Move Line/Curve by 1px	`Press any of the keyboard arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ →`
Rotate Line/Curve	`Drag with right mouse button`

Magic Wand Tool

Action	Hotkey
Global selection	`Shift` + `other magic wand action`
Invert a portion of selection	`Ctrl` + `right mouse click`
Subtract from selection	`Alt` + `left mouse click`
Reposition click point	`Drag four arrow icon`
Activate Magic Wand	`S x 4` `shift` + `s`
Create selection of like pixels	`Left mouse click`
Intersect selection mode	`Alt` + `right mouse click`
Add to selection	`Ctrl` + `left mouse click`

Move Tools

Action	Hotkey
Rotate selection	`Drag with left mouse button when pointer is a double headed arrow` `drag with right mouse button`
Move Selected Pixels tool	`M`
Rotate by 15° increments	`Hold shift down while rotating`
Move selection	`Drag with left mouse button when pointer is a four`+`Way arrow`
Resize the selection	`Drag cNer` `edge nub.`
Rotate copy of selection	`Hold ctrl and drag with left mouse button when pointer is a double headed arrow` `drag with right mouse button`
Move copy of selection	`Hold ctrl and drag with left mouse button`
Resize about selection center	`Alt` + `drag cNer nub`
Resize & keep proportions	`Shift` + `drag cNer nub`
Move Selection tool	`M x 2` `shift` + `m`
Resize about selection center & keep proportions	`Hold both shift` + `alt` + `drag cNer nub`

Paint Brush

Action	Hotkey
Draw in Secondary color	`Click` `drag with right mouse button`
Activate Paintbrush tool	`B`
Draw in Primary color	`Click` `drag with left mouse button`

Paint Bucket

Action	Hotkey
Fill area with Secondary color	`Click with right mouse button` `shift` + `backspace`
Contiguous fill mode	`Hold shift in global mode`
Activate Paint Bucket	`F`
Fill area with Primary color	`Click with left mouse button` `backspace`
Reposition click point	`Drag four arrow icon`
Global fill mode	`Hold shift in contiguous mode`

Pan Tool

Action	Hotkey
Pan the canvas	`Click and drag with left` `right mouse button` `click and hold either mouse button`+ `arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ →`
Reposition Pan tool	`Move mouse` `keyboard arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ →`
Activate Pan tool	`H`

Pencil Tool

Action	Hotkey
Draw in Secondary color	`Click` `drag with right mouse button`
Draw in Primary color	`Click` `drag with left mouse button`
Activate Pencil tool	`P`

Recolor Tool

Action	Hotkey
Recolor Secondary color with Primary	`Drag with left mouse button`
Recolor Primary color with Secondary	`Drag with right mouse button`
Activate Recolor tool	`R`

Selection Tools (except Magic Wand)

Action	Hotkey
Add to selection	`Ctrl` + `drag` + `left mouse button`
Move selection while dragging	`Drag` + `left` + `right mouse button`
Invert selection mode	`Ctrl` + `drag` + `right mouse button`
Lasso Select	`S x 2` `shift` + `s x 3`
Force Ellipse Select to circle	`Shift` + `drag`
Subtract from selection	`Alt` + `drag` + `left mouse button`
Ellipse Select	`S x 3` `shift` + `s x 2`
Create selection	`Drag` + `left` `right mouse button`
Force Rectangle Select to square	`Shift` + `drag`
Move a Copy of selection	`Move selected pixels tool` + `ctrl`
Intersect selection mode	`Alt` + `drag` + `right mouse button`
Rectangle Select	`S` `shift` + `s x 4`

Settings Dialog

Action	Hotkey
Open Settings dialog	`Alt` + `x`

Shapes Tool

Action	Hotkey
Lock Shape height and width ratio	`Hold shift while dragging any nub`
Cycle forward through shapes	`A`
Activate Shapes tool	`O x 2` `shift` + `o`
Resize Shape about its center maintaining height and width ratio	`Hold both shift` + `alt keys while dragging any nub`
Rotate Shape	`Drag with right mouse button`
Draw shape in Secondary color	`Drag with right mouse button`
Move Shape by 1px	`Press any of the keyboard arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ →`
Move Shape nubs	`Drag nub with either mouse button` `click & hold the nub and use the arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ →`
Move Shape by 10px	`Hold ctrl and press any arrow key ↑ ← ↓ →`
Resize Shape about its center	`Hold alt while dragging any nub`
Draw shape in Primary color	`Drag with left mouse button`
Lock rotation to 15° increments	`Hold shift while rotating`
Drag entire Shape	`Drag four`+`Way arrow icon with left mouse button` `position pointer inside shape and drag with left mouse button`
Increase corner value change to 5px (Rounded Rectangle only)	`Hold ctrl while clicking the` + + `cNer size keys in the toolbar`
Cycle backward through shapes	`Shift` + `a`

Text Tool

Action	Hotkey
Commit text to layer	`Esc` `click finish in tool bar`
Move text (before committing)	`Drag four arrow icon`
Activate Text tool	`T`

Tool Bar

Action	Hotkey
Open Tool Dropdown	`Alt` + `t`
Brush Width presets via Mouse Wheel	`Position pointer over brush width value in the tool bar and use mouse wheel`
Brush Width presets via Arrow Keys	`Click in brush width value box in the tool bar and use ↑` `↓`
Increase Brush Width by 1	`]`
Decrease Brush Width by 5	`Ctrl` + `[`
Decrease Brush Width by 1	`[`
Increase Brush Width by 5	`Ctrl` + `]`

Tool Shortcuts

Action	Hotkey
Eraser	`E`
Recolor	`R`
Gradient	`G`
Text	`T`
Color Picker	`K`
Shapes	`O x 2` `shift` + `o`
Move Selection	`M x 2` `shift` + `m`
Lasso Select	`S x 2` `shift` + `s x 3`
Move Selected Pixels	`M`
Open Tool Dropdown	`Alt` + `t`
Pan	`H (tempAry activation: hold spacebar` + `drag with left mouse button / keyboard arrow keys)`
Magic Wand Tool	`S x 4` `shift` + `s`
Pencil	`P`
Rectangle Select	`S` `shift` + `s x 4`
Zoom	`Z`
Paintbrush	`B`
Line / Curve	`O`
Ellipse Select	`S x 3` `shift` + `s x 2`
Paint Bucket	`F`
Clone Stamp	`L`

Tools Window

Action	Hotkey
Reset window	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `f5` `ctrl`+ `shift`
Toggle visibility of window	`F5`

UI / Canvas Controls

Action	Hotkey
Show / Hide Layers Window	`F7`
Shift current tool per pixel	`Arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ → (may not wK with all tools)`
Scroll up / down	`Mouse wheel up / down` `pgup / pgdn`
Show Menu Hotkey	`Alt`
Scroll image to bottom right of editing window	`End x 2` `shift` + `end`
Scroll bottom right image to center screen	`Ctrl` + `end`
Use Menu Hotkey	`Alt` + `underlined letter in menu`
Scroll image to top left of editing window	`Home x 2` `shift` + `home`
Shift current tool 10 pixels	`Hold ctrl` + `arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ → (may not wK with all tools)`
Pan canvas	`Spacebar` +`left mouse button spacebar`+`arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ → click and drag with middle mouse button`
Commit text or tool drawing to layer	`Esc` `enter` `ctrl` + `d` `click finish in the tool bar`
Pan image (does not work while typing with the Text tool)	`Hold spacebar` + `drag with left mouse button`
Show / Hide History Window	`F6`
Center Image	`Ctrl` + `b (twice). first combination zooms to window, the second restEs the previous zoom level`
Deselect active selection	`Ctrl` + `d` `enter`
Scroll left	`Shift` + `mouse wheel up, shift` + `pgup` `home x 1`
Pan canvas x 10	`Spacebar` + `ctrl` + `arrow keys ↑ ← ↓ →`
Show / Hide Tools Window	`F5`
Scroll right	`Shift` + `mouse wheel down, shift` + `pgdn` `end x 1`
Zoom in / out	`Ctrl` + `mouse wheelctrl` + + `and` +`Ctrl` +`0 (sets actual size)in the status bar drag the slider` `type a value in the percentage text boxoptions in the view menu`
Scroll top left image to center screen	`Ctrl` + `home`
Show / Hide Colors Window	`F8`

Action	Hotkey
Zoom Out	`Ctrl` +
Actual Size	`Ctrl` + `0`
Zoom In	`Ctrl` +
Open View menu	`Alt` + `v`
Zoom to Selection	`Ctrl` + `shift` + `b`
Zoom to Window	`Ctrl` + `b`

Zoom Tool

Action	Hotkey
Zoom out	`Click with right mouse button`
Zoom in	`Click with left mouse button`
Pan while zoomed	`Click and drag with middle mouse button` `mouse wheel`
Activate Zoom tool	`Z`

Adjustments Menu11

Advanced Troubleshooting1

Clone Stamp Tool3

Color Picker4

Colors Window 10

Command Line (paintdotnet: protocol)1

Edit Menu16

Effects Menu2

Eraser Tool2

File Menu11

Gradient Tool7

Help Menu 2

History Window 4

Image List and Image Navigation6

Image Menu8

Layers Menu14

Layers Window 15

Line/Curve Tool11

Magic Wand Tool8

Move Tools11

Paint Brush3

Paint Bucket6

Pan Tool3

Pencil Tool3

Recolor Tool3

Selection Tools (except Magic Wand)12

Settings Dialog 1

Shapes Tool15

Text Tool3

Tool Bar7

Tool Shortcuts20

Tools Window 2

UI / Canvas Controls22

View Menu6

Zoom Tool4

Adjustments Menu11

Advanced Troubleshooting1

Clone Stamp Tool3

Color Picker4

Colors Window 10

Command Line (paintdotnet: protocol)1

Edit Menu16

Effects Menu2

Eraser Tool2

File Menu11

Gradient Tool7

Help Menu 2

History Window 4

Image List and Image Navigation6

Image Menu8

Layers Menu14

Layers Window 15

Line/Curve Tool11

Magic Wand Tool8

Move Tools11

Paint Brush3

Paint Bucket6

Pan Tool3

Pencil Tool3

Recolor Tool3

Selection Tools (except Magic Wand)12

Settings Dialog 1

Shapes Tool15

Text Tool3

Tool Bar7

Tool Shortcuts20

Tools Window 2

UI / Canvas Controls22

View Menu6

Zoom Tool4

Paint NET Hotkeys

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this page about?

Which sections are worth learning first?

Does this page cover Paint.NET on Mac or Linux?

Do I need to memorize all 257 shortcuts?

How broadly does this page cover Paint.NET's interface?

Related Apps

PhotoShop

Illustrator

Adjustments Menu

Advanced Troubleshooting

Clone Stamp Tool

Color Picker

Colors Window

Command Line (paintdotnet: protocol)

Edit Menu

Effects Menu

Eraser Tool

File Menu

Gradient Tool

Help Menu

History Window

Image List and Image Navigation

Image Menu

Layers Menu

Layers Window

Line/Curve Tool

Magic Wand Tool

Move Tools

Paint Brush

Paint Bucket

Pan Tool

Pencil Tool

Recolor Tool

Selection Tools (except Magic Wand)

Settings Dialog

Shapes Tool

Text Tool

Tool Bar

Tool Shortcuts

Tools Window

UI / Canvas Controls

View Menu

Zoom Tool

Adjustments Menu

Advanced Troubleshooting

Clone Stamp Tool

Color Picker

Colors Window

Command Line (paintdotnet: protocol)

Edit Menu

Effects Menu

Eraser Tool

File Menu

Gradient Tool

Help Menu

History Window

Image List and Image Navigation

Image Menu

Layers Menu

Layers Window

Line/Curve Tool

Magic Wand Tool

Move Tools

Paint Brush

Paint Bucket

Pan Tool

Pencil Tool

Recolor Tool

Selection Tools (except Magic Wand)

Settings Dialog

Shapes Tool

Text Tool

Tool Bar

Tool Shortcuts

Tools Window

UI / Canvas Controls

View Menu

Zoom Tool