Brave keyboard shortcuts allow users to navigate the Brave Browser privacy features and tab management without using a mouse. This page contains 65 verified shortcuts for Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS Sonoma. Use these Brave hotkeys to manage private windows, toggle Shields, and browse faster on desktop platforms.
Common Brave Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Linux
The following table lists the most frequent Brave hotkeys for general window and tab management on Windows and Linux operating systems. These commands help manage your workspace and privacy settings.
| Shortcut / Key Combination | Action / Function | Notes |
| Ctrl+N | Open a new window | Opens a standard browser window |
| Ctrl+Shift+N | Open a new private window | Activates private browsing mode |
| Ctrl+T | Open a new tab | Places focus in the new tab address bar |
| Ctrl+Shift+T | Reopen the last closed tab | Works for the last 10 closed tabs |
| Ctrl+Tab | Switch to the next open tab | Cycles through tabs from left to right |
| Ctrl+Shift+Tab | Switch to the previous open tab | Cycles through tabs from right to left |
| Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+8 | Switch to a specific tab | Jumps to the tab number pressed |
| Ctrl+9 | Switch to the last tab | Jumps to the rightmost tab |
| Ctrl+W | Close the current tab | Closes the active tab immediately |
| Ctrl+Shift+W | Close the current window | Exits the entire browser window |
| Ctrl+F4 | Close the current tab | Serves as an alternative to Ctrl+W |
| Alt+F4 | Close the current window | Standard Windows command to exit apps |
| Ctrl+Shift+B | Toggle the Bookmarks bar | Shows or hides the bar below the address bar |
| Ctrl+Shift+O | Open the Bookmarks manager | Opens the manager in a new tab |
| Ctrl+H | Open the History page | Displays recently visited websites |
| Ctrl+J | Open the Downloads page | Shows all downloaded files |
Brave Browser Navigation Shortcuts
Navigating through web pages requires specific Brave shortcut keys list commands to handle scrolling, reloading, and history movement. These shortcuts function similarly to Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts due to the shared Chromium engine.
| Shortcut / Key Combination | Action / Function | Notes |
| Alt+Arrow Left | Go back in history | Moves to the previous page in the tab |
| Alt+Arrow Right | Go forward in history | Moves to the next page in the history |
| Backspace | Go back in history | Only works when not typing in text fields |
| F5 | Reload the current page | Refreshes the active website |
| Ctrl+R | Reload the current page | Standard refresh command |
| Ctrl+Shift+R | Hard reload the page | Ignores cached content during reload |
| Esc | Stop page loading | Interrupts the connection to the server |
| Home | Jump to the top of the page | Scrolls instantly to the header |
| End | Jump to the bottom of the page | Scrolls instantly to the footer |
| Spacebar | Scroll down the page | Moves down one screen height |
| Shift+Spacebar | Scroll up the page | Moves up one screen height |
| PgUp | Scroll up the page | Moves the view up significantly |
| PgDn | Scroll down the page | Moves the view down significantly |
| Ctrl+P | Print the current page | Opens the Brave print preview dialog |
| Ctrl+S | Save the current page | Downloads the HTML or web archive file |
| Ctrl+F | Open the Find bar | Searches for text on the current page |
| Ctrl+G | Find the next match | Moves to the next search result |
| Ctrl+Shift+G | Find the previous match | Moves to the previous search result |
Brave Hotkeys for Addressing and Search
Managing the address bar and search functions is a core part of Brave keyboard commands. Use these combinations to manipulate URLs and search queries quickly.
| Shortcut / Key Combination | Action / Function | Notes |
| Ctrl+L | Focus the address bar | Highlights the current URL for editing |
| Alt+D | Focus the address bar | Alternative to Ctrl+L |
| F6 | Cycle focus through elements | Switches focus between address bar and page |
| Ctrl+E | Perform a search | Focuses the address bar for search queries |
| Ctrl+K | Perform a search | Alternative to Ctrl+E |
| Ctrl+Enter | Add www. and .com to text | Wraps address bar text with standard URL parts |
| Alt+Enter | Open URL in a new tab | Opens the typed address in a background tab |
| Ctrl+Shift+Del | Open Clear Browsing Data | Opens the privacy cleaning menu |
| Ctrl+U | View page source | Opens the HTML source code in a new tab |
| F12 | Toggle Developer Tools | Opens the web inspection panel |
| Ctrl+Shift+I | Toggle Developer Tools | Alternative to F12 |
| Ctrl+Shift+J | Open the JavaScript Console | Focuses the console tab in Developer Tools |
| Ctrl+Shift+M | Switch user profile | Opens the profile selection menu |
Brave Keyboard Commands for Mac
The Brave keyboard shortcuts Mac users utilize often involve the Command key instead of Control. While many functions remain the same, the keybindings follow macOS Sonoma standards. Users transitioning from other browsers may notice these differ from Firefox keyboard shortcuts or Opera keyboard shortcuts.
| Shortcut / Key Combination | Action / Function | Notes |
| Command+N | Open a new window | Launches a new standard window |
| Command+Shift+N | Open a new private window | Launches a window with Brave Shields active |
| Command+T | Open a new tab | Focuses the cursor in the new address bar |
| Command+Shift+T | Reopen the last closed tab | Restores the most recently closed page |
| Command+Option+Arrow Right | Switch to the next tab | Moves focus to the right |
| Command+Option+Arrow Left | Switch to the previous tab | Moves focus to the left |
| Command+W | Close the active tab | Exits the current tab |
| Command+Shift+W | Close the active window | Exits the entire Brave window |
| Command+M | Minimize the window | Sends the window to the macOS dock |
| Command+H | Hide the Brave window | Conceals the application from view |
| Command+L | Focus the address bar | Highlights the URL for quick replacement |
| Command+Option+I | Open Developer Tools | Launches the web inspector |
| Command+Shift+B | Toggle Bookmarks bar | Shows or hides saved links |
| Command+Y | Open History page | Views the browsing history |
| Command+Comma | Open Brave Settings | Accesses the preferences menu |
| Command+Option+L | Open Downloads folder | Jumps to the downloads management tab |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut for Brave private window?
Press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Linux to open a new private window. Mac users must press Command+Shift+N to enter private browsing mode.
How do I open Brave Shields with a keyboard?
Toggle the Brave Shields menu by pressing Ctrl+Shift+S on Windows or Command+Shift+S on macOS. This command allows you to view blocked trackers and ads for the current site.
How do I clear browsing data in Brave?
Open the Clear Browsing Data menu by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Del on Windows. Use Command+Shift+Backspace on macOS to access the same privacy cleanup options.
What is the shortcut to reopen a closed tab in Brave?
Restore your most recently closed tab by pressing Ctrl+Shift+T on a Windows PC. On a Mac, use the Command+Shift+T key combination to bring back the tab.
How do I toggle the sidebar in Brave?
Use the Ctrl+B shortcut on Windows to show or hide the Brave Sidebar. Mac users can toggle the sidebar by pressing Command+Option+B.
Press Ctrl+L to quickly highlight the address bar and begin typing a new search query or website URL.