How many desktops can you have on a Mac?

A Mac allows up to 16 desktops on each display. How to add them, why the add button disappears, and how many are actually useful day to day.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

What is the maximum number of desktops on a Mac?

Sixteen per display. Keyboard Shortcuts, Mission Control, lists Switch to Desktop 1 through Switch to Desktop 16, one for each. At sixteen, the add button at the end of the Spaces bar no longer appears.

How do I add a desktop?

  1. Open Mission Control: ⌃ ↑, or swipe up with three fingers.
  2. Move the pointer to the top of the screen to show the Spaces bar.
  3. Click the add button at the right end.

You can also drag a window onto the add button to create a desktop with that window in it.

Does each monitor get its own sixteen?

With Displays have separate Spaces on in Desktop & Dock, each display has its own row of desktops. With it off, all displays share one set.

How many desktops should I use?

Most people settle on two to four. Beyond that you spend more time finding the right desktop than you saved by separating things. If you need more room for windows rather than more places, a scrolling layout gives one desktop as much width as you need.

Removing desktops: remove a desktop. Moving between them: switch desktops shortcut.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: Switch to Desktop 1 to 16 were read from Keyboard Shortcuts, and Displays have separate Spaces from Desktop & Dock.

Questions

How many desktops can you have on a Mac?

Up to 16 per display.

Why can't I add another desktop on my Mac?

You may have reached the limit of 16, after which the add button no longer appears.

How do I add a desktop on Mac?

Open Mission Control, move the pointer to the top, and click the add button at the end of the Spaces bar.

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