You can use Chrome without a mouse. Press Tab to move between links and buttons, Enter to open them, F6 to jump between the address bar and the page, and F7 to turn on Caret Browsing so you can move through text with the arrow keys. This guide covers the essentials; the full list is in our Chrome keyboard shortcuts guide and in Google’s Chrome keyboard shortcuts help page.
How to Enable Keyboard Navigation in Chrome
Keyboard navigation is on in Chrome by default on Windows, Linux and ChromeOS. On a Mac, Google notes that you need to allow Full Keyboard Access in macOS for some navigation options.
Tab and Focus Navigation
Chrome’s Tab and focus navigation enables you to move through interactive elements on a webpage using your keyboard.
- Press Tab to move forward through clickable items like links and form fields.
- Use Shift + Tab to move backward.
- Press Enter to activate a highlighted link or button.
- Use Spacebar to scroll down the page or to activate checkboxes.
- Press F6 to move focus between the address bar, the toolbars and the page. On Windows and Linux, Shift + Alt + T puts focus on the first item in the toolbar and F10 on the rightmost item.
Caret Browsing with F7
Caret Browsing lets you move through the text of a webpage with a movable cursor, the way you would in a document.
- Press F7 to turn Caret Browsing on or off. On a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Search + 7. You may need to confirm this action in a dialog box.
- Use the arrow keys to move the cursor through the text, and Ctrl + arrow key to move word by word.
- Hold Shift and use the arrow keys to select text.
Google’s accessibility extensions page lists these keys. The separate Caret Browsing extension in the Chrome Web Store says it is scheduled to be deprecated, so use F7 instead.
Keyboard Shortcuts Reference
Here are some essential shortcuts:
| Action | Windows/Linux | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Open a new tab | Ctrl + T | Command + T |
| Close the current tab | Ctrl + W | Command + W |
| Reopen the last closed tab | Ctrl + Shift + T | Command + Shift + T |
| Open the Chrome menu / Settings | Alt + F or Alt + E (menu) | Command + , (Settings) |
| Turn on caret browsing | F7 | F7 |
Setting Up Accessibility Options
Chrome offers additional accessibility settings to enhance keyboard navigation:
- Open
chrome://settings/accessibility, or select More > Settings, then Accessibility on the left. - Turn on Navigate pages with a text cursor to use caret browsing on every page.
- Turn on Show a quick highlight on the focused object to see where the keyboard focus moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I navigate Chrome without a mouse?
Use Tab and Shift + Tab to move between items, F6 to reach the address bar and toolbars, and Caret Browsing (F7) to move through text.
What is Caret Browsing in Chrome?
Caret Browsing allows you to navigate and select text using the keyboard. Turn it on or off by pressing F7.
Are there differences in keyboard shortcuts between Windows and macOS?
Yes, most Windows shortcuts that use Ctrl use Command on a Mac. Refer to the shortcuts table for details.
Can I customize Chrome’s keyboard shortcuts?
You can set keyboard shortcuts for your extensions at chrome://extensions/shortcuts.
What should I do if keyboard navigation doesn’t work?
Make sure keyboard focus is on the page (press F6 until it is), restart the browser, and check the accessibility settings. On a Mac, check that Full Keyboard Access is allowed in macOS.