What the Command key does
Command is the primary shortcut modifier on a Mac, doing the job Ctrl does on Windows: Command+C copies, Command+V pastes, Command+Q quits, Command+Space opens Spotlight. The ⌘ symbol (U+2318) is the "place of interest" sign chosen by Apple in 1984.
On a Mac
Native to the Mac. Nearly every Ctrl shortcut from Windows becomes a Command shortcut on macOS.
On a laptop
Present on every MacBook. On Windows laptops there is no Command key; Ctrl covers the same shortcuts.
Shortcuts that use the Command key
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Command+C / V / X | Copy, paste, cut |
| Command+Space | Spotlight search |
| Command+Tab | Switch apps |
| Command+Q | Quit the app |
| Command+Shift+3 / 4 | Screenshots |
| Command+Option+Esc | Force Quit |
If the Command key is missing or not working
If Command shortcuts fail, check System Settings → Keyboard → Modifier Keys in case Command and Option were swapped, especially with a third-party keyboard.
Test it here: click the tester, press the key, and it should light up green. A red key is stuck; a key that never lights up is dead or intercepted by the system. The full keyboard tester has the press log and more detail.
Click the tester, then press any key. Browser shortcuts are blocked while it has focus.
—
- key
- —
- code
- —
- keyCode
- —
none
Max at once: 0 (rollover)
None detected. A key held for more than 2 seconds is flagged.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Command key on a Windows keyboard? +
The Windows key. macOS maps it to Command automatically when a PC keyboard is connected.
What does the ⌘ symbol mean? +
It is the command key symbol, Unicode U+2318, originally a Swedish road sign for a place of interest. Apple adopted it in 1984.
Is Command the same as Ctrl? +
For most shortcuts, yes: Command on a Mac does what Ctrl does on Windows. Macs also keep a separate control key for terminal and some text shortcuts.
How do I type the Command symbol? +
Copy ⌘ from our command symbol page, or in the Character Viewer search "place of interest".