TL;DR: YouTube has 30+ keyboard shortcuts for playback, navigation, captions, and speed control. The most useful ones: Space or K to pause, J and L to rewind or skip 10 seconds, Shift + . and Shift + , to adjust playback speed, and numbers 1-9 to jump to that percentage of the video.
Press Shift + ? anytime to see the full list inside YouTube.
30 YouTube Keyboard Shortcuts Every Creator Should Know
Lydia Sweatt · 3 min read · Updated Jun 17, 2026
Reviewed by Darryl Rentz on Jun 17, 2026
4.7Chrome Web Store20M+ creatorstrust vidIQGoogle Preferred Source
Watching, editing, or analyzing videos on YouTube gets a lot easier once you know the right keyboard shortcuts. The single fastest tip: press Shift + ? on any YouTube page to pull up the built-in shortcut list. From there you can pause, skip, rewind, and change playback speed with simple key presses, no mouse required.
YouTube shortcuts help you move through videos faster and stay focused on what matters most, creating and learning from great content. For more on managing your channel, see our YouTube Studio guide.
That’s why you need to know these 30 YouTube keyboard shortcuts for Mac and PC.
YouTube Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Know
The full reference is below, grouped by what you are trying to do.
These YouTube hotkeys will help you view content faster, and we’ve listed them below for convenience.
Playback Controls:
These shortcuts make it easy to jump to key moments, review footage, or replay important sections without touching the mouse. Whether you’re analyzing your own upload, following a tutorial, or watching long interviews, quick rewind and fast-forward keys save serious time.
Key | Action |
|---|---|
Spacebar or K | Pause or play the video. |
J | Rewind 10 seconds. |
L | Fast-forward 10 seconds. |
Arrow Left | Jump backward 5 seconds. |
Arrow Right | Jump forward 5 seconds. |
Pro Tip: When watching videos at faster playback speeds, YouTube may increase your skip distance automatically. At 1x speed, the arrow keys skip 5 seconds, but at 2x speed, they often jump 10 seconds instead. The player adjusts dynamically on desktop to make navigation feel smoother while watching in fast-forward.
Frame by Frame and Precision Controls
Pause the video first, then step through it one frame at a time. These precision keys are ideal for editors checking transitions or creators grabbing the perfect still.
Key | Action |
|---|---|
, (comma) | Move back one frame (pause the video first). |
. (period) | Move forward one frame (pause the video first). |
Home | Jump to the start of the video. |
End | Jump to the end of the video. |
YouTube Playback Speed Shortcuts
Perfect for scanning through long videos or slowing down detailed clips. Increasing or decreasing playback speed helps you study pacing, learn complex topics, or analyze editing styles more efficiently.
Key | Action |
|---|---|
Shift + . | Increase playback speed. |
Shift + , | Decrease playback speed. |
Volume and Audio Controls
Quick volume and mute shortcuts make it easy to manage audio while multitasking, adjusting sound for headphones, or testing levels during playback.
Key | Action |
|---|---|
Up Arrow | Increase volume by 5%. |
Down Arrow | Decrease volume by 5%. |
M | Mute or unmute the video. |
Screen and View Controls
Switching between full screen, theater, and mini-player views lets you control how much of your screen the player takes up. Use theater mode when you want a larger view without going full screen, or mini-player to keep a video running while you browse elsewhere on YouTube.
Key | Action |
|---|---|
F | Enter or exit full screen. |
T | Switch to theater mode. |
I | Open mini-player view. |
Esc | Exit full screen or close a dialog. |
/ (Forward Slash) | Jump directly to the search bar. |
Shift + ? | Open the built-in list of YouTube keyboard shortcuts. |
Captions and Subtitles
Caption shortcuts let you toggle subtitles on or off, resize text, and adjust font size without touching your mouse. Useful when watching foreign-language videos or anything where you want captions without navigating settings.
Key | Action |
|---|---|
C | Toggle captions on or off. |
O | Change text brightness. |
W | Change the transparency of caption backgrounds. |
- (minus) and + (plus) | Decrease or increase caption font size. |
Navigation and Chapters
Use keyboard shortcuts to skip between playlist videos or jump to specific chapters without touching your mouse. If your videos don't have them yet, here's how to add chapters.
Key | Action |
|---|---|
Shift + N | Skip to the next video in a playlist or the next suggested video. |
Shift + P | Go to the previous video in a playlist. |
Option + → (Mac) or Ctrl + → (Windows) | Skip to the next chapter. |
Option + ← (Mac) or Ctrl + ← (Windows) | Go back to the previous chapter. |
1-9 | Jump to that percentage of the video (press 9 to jump 90% in). |
0 (zero) | Go back to the beginning of the video. |
The video below is a quick walkthrough of the shortcuts above.
Want more from YouTube? vidIQ's free browser extension shows stats, keywords, and insights on any video you watch.
FAQs
How do I skip 10 seconds on YouTube on a laptop?
To skip forward or backward while watching on desktop or laptop, press the right arrow key to move ahead or the left arrow key to go back. Each press normally skips 5 seconds, but at higher playback speeds (like 2x), YouTube often increases the skip distance to 10 seconds. You can also use the J and L keys to instantly rewind or fast-forward 10 seconds every time.
How to go frame by frame on YouTube?
Pause the video first, then use the comma (,) and period (.) keys to move one frame at a time. This YouTube frame-by-frame hotkey is perfect for creators who need precision when editing, analyzing transitions, or reviewing small details in footage.
What is the YouTube playback speed shortcut?
Use Shift + > to increase playback speed and Shift + < to slow it down. This YouTube playback speed shortcut lets you fine-tune tempo in real time without opening menus, ideal for watching tutorials or reviewing content faster.
What is the YouTube full screen shortcut?
Press the F key to enter or exit full screen instantly. This YouTube full screen shortcut works on all browsers and helps you focus on the video without distractions. Press Esc to exit full screen.
What is the next chapter shortcut?
If a video includes chapters, press Option + → to skip to the next one or Option + ← to go to the previous chapter. This YouTube next chapter shortcut makes it easy to jump between sections in long videos or tutorials without using the mouse.
How do I see all YouTube keyboard shortcuts?
Press Shift + ? while on any YouTube watch page and a popup will list most of the available shortcuts. You can also review playback options in your account settings.