Quick guide
Mac and Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
For web accessibility testing.
Many people navigate the web with a keyboard instead of a mouse. Use these shortcuts to check that every link, button, and form on your site works only using a keyboard.
Before you test on a Mac
By default, Tab on a Mac skips some controls. Turn on Keyboard navigation in System Settings, under Keyboard.
In Safari, also turn on "Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage". Turn this on by going to Settings > Advanced.
Navigation
| Task | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Next element | Tab | Tab |
| Previous element | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
| Activate link | Enter | Return |
| Activate button | Enter or Space | Return or Space |
Forms
| Task | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Check or uncheck checkbox | Space | Space |
| Select radio button | Space | Space |
| Move between radio buttons | Arrow keys | Arrow keys |
| Open dropdown | Alt + Down Arrow or Space | Option + Down Arrow or Space |
| Navigate options | Up Arrow / Down Arrow | Up Arrow / Down Arrow |
| Select option | Enter | Return |
| Close dropdown | Esc | Esc |
Tabs and accordions
| Task | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Switch tabs | Left Arrow / Right Arrow | Left Arrow / Right Arrow |
| Activate tab | Enter or Space | Return or Space |
| Expand or collapse section | Enter or Space | Return or Space |
Sliders
| Task | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Increase value | Up Arrow or Right Arrow | Up Arrow or Right Arrow |
| Decrease value | Down Arrow or Left Arrow | Down Arrow or Left Arrow |
| Move to minimum | Home | Home |
| Move to maximum | End | End |
| Larger change (if supported) | Page Up / Page Down | Page Up / Page Down |
Trees and dialogs
| Task | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Navigate tree items | Up Arrow / Down Arrow | Up Arrow / Down Arrow |
| Expand or collapse item | Right Arrow / Left Arrow | Right Arrow / Left Arrow |
| Close dialog | Esc | Esc |
Scrolling
| Task | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Page down | Space | Space |
| Page up | Shift + Space | Shift + Space |
| Scroll vertically | Up Arrow / Down Arrow | Up Arrow / Down Arrow |
| Scroll horizontally | Left Arrow / Right Arrow | Left Arrow / Right Arrow |
Can you navigate your entire website without using a mouse?
What to look for
- Can you reach every link, button, and form field?
- Does the focus order make sense?
- Can you always see where focus is?
- Can you get out of every menu and dialog?
Need help? Watch How to keyboard accessibility test (YouTube).
Next step: full manual testing
This guide shows the process: what to check, in what order.
Printable version
Print this quick guide and keep it next to your keyboard while you test.
Opens in a new tab: Mac and Windows Keyboard Shortcuts Printable Version (PDF)
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