This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for GIMP on Windows, covering all 42 shortcuts organized into 6 sections. Whether you’re new to GIMP 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 GIMP. 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 GIMP 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 Windows, most GIMP shortcuts follow standard conventions — once you learn the modifier key patterns, new shortcuts become intuitive.
Tips for Learning Shortcuts
- Practice one new GIMP 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 GIMP. 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 GIMP, common actions like copy, paste, undo, and save are worth learning first since they apply across nearly every workflow.
File7
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New image | CtrlN |
| Open image | CtrlO |
| Open as layers | CtrlAltO |
| Save | CtrlS |
| Save as | ShiftCtrlS |
| Export as | ShiftCtrlE |
| Quit GIMP | CtrlQ |
Edit6
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Undo | CtrlZ |
| Redo | CtrlY |
| Copy | CtrlC |
| Cut | CtrlX |
| Paste | CtrlV |
| Paste as new image | ShiftCtrlV |
Select4
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select all | CtrlA |
| Select none | ShiftCtrlA |
| Invert selection | CtrlI |
| Select by color | ShiftCtrlL |
View5
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Fit image in window | ShiftCtrlJ |
| Zoom in | + |
| Zoom out | - |
| Toggle rulers | ShiftCtrlR |
| Toggle guides | ShiftCtrlT |
Image & Layers6
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Canvas size | CtrlAltC |
| Fit canvas to layers | CtrlAltF |
| New layer | ShiftCtrlN |
| Duplicate layer | ShiftCtrlD |
| Merge down | CtrlM |
| Flatten image | ShiftCtrlM |
Tools14
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Rectangle select | R |
| Ellipse select | E |
| Free select (Lasso) | F |
| Fuzzy select (Magic Wand) | U |
| Pencil | N |
| Paintbrush | P |
| Eraser | ShiftE |
| Gradient | G |
| Bucket fill | ShiftO |
| Text | T |
| Color picker | O |
| Rotate | ShiftT |
| Scale | ShiftS |
| Perspective | ShiftP |
Frequently Asked Questions
Access GIMP shortcuts from your menu bar
KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. No memorization needed.