This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for Final Cut Pro on macOS, covering all 145 shortcuts organized into 6 sections. Whether you’re new to Final Cut Pro or looking to master advanced features, this cheat sheet has every key combination you need — from basic editing and navigation to app-specific power-user actions.
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work in Final Cut Pro. Every time you use a shortcut instead of reaching for the mouse, you save a few seconds — and those seconds compound into hours over weeks and months. Start with the shortcuts you use most (copy, paste, undo, save), then gradually add app-specific ones as they become relevant to your workflow. Bookmark this page or download the PDF cheat sheet for quick reference.
Using keyboard shortcuts in Final Cut Pro reduces context switching between keyboard and mouse, helping you maintain focus and work more efficiently. Research shows that shortcut-driven workflows can save up to 8 working days per year compared to menu-driven navigation. On macOS, most Final Cut Pro shortcuts follow standard conventions — once you learn the modifier key patterns, new shortcuts become intuitive.
Tips for Learning Shortcuts
- Practice one new Final Cut Pro shortcut each day. Muscle memory builds faster when you focus on a single combination at a time rather than trying to learn them all at once.
- Print or bookmark this page for quick reference while working in Final Cut Pro. Having shortcuts visible nearby helps bridge the gap between looking them up and recalling them from memory.
- Start with the shortcuts you use most. In Final Cut Pro, common actions like copy, paste, undo, and save are worth learning first since they apply across nearly every workflow.
Editing46
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open Audition | Y |
| Blade At Playhead | ⌘B |
| Blade All | ⇧⌘B |
| Connect To Timeline | Q |
| Connect Backtimed | ⇧Q |
| Insert Clip | W |
| Append To Timeline | E |
| Overwrite Clip | D |
| Overwrite Backtimed | ⇧D |
| Delete Selection | Delete |
| Delete And Close Gap | ⌥Delete |
| Duplicate | ⌘D |
| Create Storyline | ⌘G |
| Break Apart | ⇧⌘G |
| Change Duration | ⌃D |
| Extend Edit Point | ⇧X |
| Freeze Frame | ⌥F |
| Insert Gap | ⌥W |
| Insert Generator | ⌥⌘W |
| Lift from Storyline | ⌥⌘↑ |
| Paste and Connect | ⌥V |
| Replace Clip | ⇧R |
| Replace from Start | ⌥R |
| Toggle Snapping | N |
| Solo | ⌥S |
| Nudge Left | , |
| Nudge Left 10 | ⇧, |
| Nudge Right | . |
| Nudge Right 10 | ⇧. |
| Trim Start | ⌥[ |
| Trim End | ⌥] |
| Trim to Range | ⌥\\ |
| Select Left Edge | [ |
| Select Right Edge | ] |
| Select Both Edges | \\ |
| Select Clip | C |
| Select Clip Above | ⌘↑ |
| Select Clip Below | ⌘↓ |
| Toggle Storylines | G |
| Lower Volume 1dB | ⌃- |
| Raise Volume 1dB | ⌃= |
| Audio/Video Mode | ⇧1 |
| Video Only Mode | ⇧2 |
| Audio Only Mode | ⇧3 |
| Precision Editor | ⌃E |
| Create Audition | ⌘Y |
Marking18
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Mark In Point | I |
| Mark Out Point | O |
| Clear In Point | ⌥I |
| Clear Out Point | ⌥O |
| Clear In And Out | ⌥X |
| Set Range to Clip | X |
| Add Marker | M |
| Add Marker And Modify | ⌥M |
| Delete Marker | ⌃M |
| Delete All Markers | ⌃⇧M |
| Remove Ratings | U |
| Favorite Clip | F |
| New Keyword Collection | ⇧⌘K |
| New Smart Collection | ⌥⌘N |
| Show Favorites | ⌃F |
| Hide Rejected | ⌃H |
| Show All Clips | ⌃C |
| Remove All Keywords | ⌃0 |
Effects21
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Add Transition | ⌘T |
| Audio Crossfade | ⌥T |
| Add Video Effect | ⌥E |
| Add Audio Effect | ⌥⌘E |
| Copy Effects | ⌥⌘C |
| Paste Effects | ⌥⌘V |
| Paste Attributes | ⇧⌘V |
| Remove Attributes | ⇧⌘X |
| Remove All Effects | ⌥⌘X |
| Retime Editor | ⌘R |
| Normal Speed | ⇧N |
| Hold Segment | ⇧H |
| Reset Speed | ⌥⌘R |
| Balance Color | ⌥⌘B |
| Match Color | ⌥⌘M |
| Match Sound | ⇧⌘M |
| Color Board: Color | ⌃⌘C |
| Color Board: Exposure | ⌃⌘E |
| Color Board: Saturation | ⌃⌘S |
| Connect Title | ⌃T |
| Connect Lower Third | ⌃⇧T |
Tools8
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select Tool | A |
| Trim Tool | T |
| Position Tool | P |
| Range Selection Tool | R |
| Blade Tool | B |
| Zoom Tool | Z |
| Hand Tool | H |
| Transform Tool | ⇧T |
View & General33
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Show Browser | ⇧⌘1 |
| Show Timeline | ⇧⌘2 |
| Show Inspector | ⌘4 |
| Show Effects Browser | ⌘5 |
| Show Filter/Index | ⌘F |
| Import Media | ⌘I |
| New Project | ⌘N |
| Project Properties | ⌘J |
| Library Properties | ⌃⌘J |
| Render Selection | ⌃R |
| Render All | ⌃⇧R |
| Reveal in Finder | ⇧⌘R |
| Command Editor | ⌥⌘K |
| Zoom To Fit | ⇧Z |
| Enable Disable Clip | V |
| Zoom In | ⌘+ |
| Zoom Out | ⌘- |
| Share/Export | ⌘E |
| New Event | ⌥N |
| New Folder | ⇧⌘N |
| Reveal in Browser | ⇧F |
| Browser | ⌘1 |
| Timeline | ⌘2 |
| Viewer | ⌘3 |
| Color Board | ⌘6 |
| Video Scopes | ⌘7 |
| Background Tasks | ⌘9 |
| Keyword Editor | ⌘K |
| Toggle Browser | ⌃⌘1 |
| Toggle Timeline | ⌃⌘2 |
| Transitions Browser | ⌃⌘5 |
| Angle Viewer | ⇧⌘7 |
| Audio Meters | ⇧⌘8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Access Final Cut Pro shortcuts from your menu bar
KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. No memorization needed.