Anki is the gold standard for Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS), and its true power is unlocked when you stop using the mouse. Mastering Anki keyboard shortcuts is the most effective way to handle high-volume reviews and rapid card creation. Whether you are a medical student, a language learner, or a developer, these default keybindings allow you to maintain focus on your studies without the friction of menu navigation.
This guide provides a comprehensive list of Anki shortcuts for the 2026 version of the desktop application. From the lightning-fast “grading” keys to advanced cloze deletion and browser filtering, these hotkeys are essential for maintaining a high-velocity study routine.
Essential Review and Study Shortcuts
During a study session, your speed is determined by how quickly you can flip and rate your cards.
| Action | Windows / Linux | macOS |
| Show Answer / Flip Card | Space / Enter | Space / Enter |
| Grade: Again (Wrong) | 1 | 1 |
| Grade: Hard | 2 | 2 |
| Grade: Good | 3 | 3 |
| Grade: Easy | 4 | 4 |
| Replay Audio | R | R |
| Undo Last Review | Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z |
| Suspend Card (Take a break) | @ (Shift + 2) | @ (Shift + 2) |
| Bury Card (Hide until tomorrow) | – (Minus) | – (Minus) |
Card Creation and Editing Shortcuts
Creating high-quality cards quickly is vital for staying ahead of your material.
| Action | Windows / Linux | macOS |
| Add New Card | A | A |
| Edit Current Card | E | E |
| Cloze Deletion (Create) | Ctrl + Shift + C | Cmd + Shift + C |
| Cloze Deletion (Same Index) | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + C | Cmd + Opt + Shift + C |
| Save / Add Note | Ctrl + Enter | Cmd + Enter |
| Bold Text | Ctrl + B | Cmd + B |
| Italicize Text | Ctrl + I | Cmd + I |
| Underline Text | Ctrl + U | Cmd + U |
| Change Note Type | Ctrl + N | Cmd + N |
Navigation and System Shortcuts
Use these keys to move between the main dashboard, the browser, and your statistics.
| Action | Keyboard Key |
| Decks View (Home) | D |
| Browse (Search Cards) | B |
| Statistics View | T |
| Sync with AnkiWeb | Y |
| Import File | Ctrl + Shift + I |
| Export Collection | Ctrl + E |
| Switch Profile | Ctrl + Shift + P |
| Preferences | Ctrl + P |
Advanced Browser and Filter Shortcuts
When managing thousands of cards, these browser-specific Anki keybindings save significant time.
| Action | Keyboard Key |
| Find Duplicates | (In Browser) Tools > Find Duplicates |
| Toggle Flag (1-4) | Ctrl + 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Remove Flag | Ctrl + 0 |
| Preview Card | Ctrl + Shift + P |
| Select All Cards | Ctrl + A |
| Change Deck (Selected Cards) | Ctrl + D |
Professional Tip: The Cloze Deletion Workflow
For many students, the Cloze Deletion shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + C) is the most used keybinding. It automatically wraps your selection in {{c1::selection}}. If you want multiple blanks to disappear at the same time, you can manually change the numbers to match (e.g., {{c1::…}}), or use the Ctrl + Alt + Shift + C variant to automatically keep the current index number.
If you find that your workflow requires even more speed, consider the “SwiftAnki” or “Symbols As You Type” add-ons, which allow for further customization of these Anki default controls. You can also rebind almost any key by using the “Custom Shortcuts” add-on found on AnkiWeb.