AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts + Free PDF Cheat Sheet (2026)

Below is the full list of AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts, grouped by workflow.

AutoCAD's command aliases are short, usually one or two letters typed at the command line. L draws a line, M moves, CO copies, MI mirrors. Press Enter or Space to commit, and the tool fires.

Combined with the F1–F12 toggles and the Ctrl combos, fluent users type instead of clicking through the ribbon. Expect your drafting speed to double.

Need to change keyboard shortcuts or add your own? See recommended custom shortcuts and how to customize further down. Pairing this with an AutoCAD AI renderer compounds the productivity gain.

All AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts

This is the full AutoCAD hotkey list, broken down by what you're actually doing. Most are command aliases, short letter combinations you type at the command line. A handful are Ctrl combos for file and window operations. The function keys (F1–F12) toggle drawing aids. Recommended custom shortcuts further down covers the lesser-known defaults worth memorizing.

Lesser-known shortcuts worth memorizing

These aren't custom assignments. They're defaults that pros use every day but beginners rarely discover. Each one replaces a multi-step menu dive with a single command. See how to customize below if you want to reassign or add your own.

How to customize AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts

Whether you want to add shortcuts in AutoCAD or change keyboard shortcuts you already have, there are two separate systems. Command aliases are the short letter combos you type at the command line (L, M, CO). Keyboard shortcuts are the Ctrl, Shift, Alt, and function-key combos that fire commands directly. Each lives in its own place, and you customize them differently.

How to add or change a command alias

1. Open the alias editor. Type ALIASEDIT at the command line and press Enter. Express Tools must be installed for this command. If you don't have it, edit acad.pgp directly: Manage tab → Customization panel → Edit Aliases → Edit Aliases (PGP).
2. Pick a command. Find the AutoCAD command you want a shorter alias for. The dialog shows the current alias next to each command.
3. Type your new alias. Two or three letters is the sweet spot. Avoid conflicts; the dialog warns you if your alias is already in use.
4. Apply. Click Apply then Close. The new alias works immediately. No restart needed.

How to change keyboard shortcuts in AutoCAD (Ctrl/Shift/Alt/Fn combos)

1. Open the CUI editor. Type CUI at the command line and press Enter. The Customize User Interface dialog opens.
2. Navigate to Keyboard Shortcuts. In the tree on the left, expand Keyboard Shortcuts → Shortcut Keys. Each row is one binding.
3. Find the command or add a new binding. Drag a command from the Command List pane (bottom) onto Shortcut Keys to create a new binding. Or click an existing row to edit it.
4. Set the keys. In the Properties pane on the right, click the Key(s) field and press your combination. Click OK, then Apply.

Aliases work at the command line. Type, then press Enter or Space to fire. Shortcuts work anywhere: Ctrl, Shift, Alt, and the F-keys execute on press. The two systems don't overlap.

Tips to memorize AutoCAD shortcuts faster

• Learn one alias per day. Pick one from this page each morning, force yourself to type it instead of clicking the ribbon all day. Cheaper than any course. Sticks in a week.
• Use Space, not Enter. AutoCAD treats Spacebar as Enter at the command line. Your thumb is faster than reaching for Enter. Small habit, big payoff over a day.
• Trust the auto-complete. Type the first letter and AutoCAD suggests matching commands. You don't need to memorize the full alias, just enough to disambiguate.
• Print the cheat sheet. Download the PDF above, pin it next to your monitor. After two weeks of glancing at it, you won't need it.
• Customize before you commit. If a default alias doesn't feel right, shorten it via ALIASEDIT. Muscle memory is hardest to undo once it sets.