The keyboard shortcuts to switch tabs on a Mac

Control Tab moves to the next tab in every Mac browser, and Command 1 to 9 jumps straight to one. All the tab switching keys for Safari, Chrome and Firefox.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

What is the shortcut to switch tabs on a Mac?

Do thisPress
Next tab⌃ Tab, or ⇧ ⌘ ]
Previous tab⌃ ⇧ Tab, or ⇧ ⌘ [
Jump to tab 1 to 8⌘ 1 to ⌘ 8
Jump to the last tab⌘ 9
New tab⌘ T
Close tab⌘ W

These work in Safari, Chrome and Firefox, and in many other apps with tabs, including Finder and Terminal.

Why does Command 1 not switch tabs in Safari?

Safari has a setting for it. Open Safari Settings (⌘ ,), click Tabs, and turn on the option to use Command 1 through Command 9 to switch tabs. With it off, those keys open your favourites instead.

How do I switch between windows instead of tabs?

⌘ ` ` moves between windows of the same app. ⌘ Tab` moves between apps. See switching between windows.

Too many tabs to count? See all open tabs. The same idea for windows: ClutterFreeMac jumps to window 1 to 9 on its strip with ⌃ ⌥ and a number.

Questions

How do I switch tabs with the keyboard on a Mac?

Press Control Tab for the next tab and Control Shift Tab for the previous one.

How do I go to a specific tab on a Mac?

Press Command and the tab's number, 1 to 8. Command 9 goes to the last tab.

Why does Command 1 open a bookmark in Safari?

Turn on the Command 1 to 9 tab switching option in Safari Settings, Tabs.

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