Mac keyboard symbols explained: what ⌘, ⌥, ⌃ and ⇧ mean

Menus and guides write shortcuts as ⌘, ⌥, ⌃ and ⇧. Which key each symbol is, the less common ones like ⌫ and ⎋, and how to type them yourself.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

What do the Mac key symbols mean?

SymbolKeyAlso called
⌘CommandCmd
⌥OptionAlt
⌃ControlCtrl
⇧Shift
⇪Caps Lock
🌐︎Globefn
⎋EscapeEsc
⌫DeleteBackspace
⌦Forward deletefn and Delete
↩ReturnEnter
⇥Tab
← → ↑ ↓Arrow keys

In what order are they written?

Mac menus list modifiers in a fixed order: ⌃ Control, ⌥ Option, ⇧ Shift, ⌘ Command, then the letter. So ⌥⇧⌘V means hold Option, Shift and Command, then press V. The order you press the modifiers in does not matter, as long as all are held when you press the last key.

Which Windows keys match them?

On a Windows keyboard plugged into a Mac, the Windows key acts as ⌘ and Alt acts as ⌥. To swap them, see change modifier keys. Most Windows Ctrl shortcuts are ⌘ shortcuts on a Mac: copy is ⌘ C, not ⌃ C.

How do I type these symbols?

Press fn E, or ⌃ ⌘ Space, to open Emoji & Symbols, and search for command, option or arrow. Or copy them from this page.

Shortcuts that use them: Finder shortcuts, window shortcuts, and what the Option key unlocks.

Questions

What is the ⌥ symbol on a Mac?

The Option key, called Alt on other keyboards.

What is the ⌘ symbol on a Mac?

The Command key, next to the space bar.

What order are Mac shortcuts written in?

Control, Option, Shift, Command, then the key.

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