How to Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to switch between browser tabs using the keys on your keyboard.

Things You Should Know

  • If you're using Windows, press "Ctrl + 1-9" to view your open browser tabs. Press "Ctrl + Tab" to switch between open programs.
  • If you're browsing Safari, Chrome, or Firefox on Mac, press "Cmd + 1-9" to view your open browser tabs.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Switching Tabs on Windows (All Browsers)

  1. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 1
    1
    Open multiple tabs in your web browser. To open a tab with your keyboard, press Ctrl+t.[1]
  2. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 2
    2
    Press Ctrl+Tab ↹ to go to the next open tab.
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  3. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 3
    3
    Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Tab ↹ to go to the previous open tab.
  4. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 4
    4
    Press Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+9 to go to a tab by number. For example, pressing Ctrl+3 will bring you to the 3rd open tab.
  5. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 5
    5
    Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+t to re-open the last closed tab.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Switching Tabs on macOS (Safari)

  1. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 6
    1
    Open multiple tabs in your web browser. To open a tab with your keyboard, press ⌘ Command+t.
  2. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 7
    2
    Press Control+Tab ↹ to go to the next open tab.[2]
  3. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 8
    3
    Press Control+⇧ Shift+Tab ↹ to go to the previous open tab.
  4. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 9
    4
    Press ⌘ Command+1 through ⌘ Command+9 to go to a tab by number. For example, pressing ⌘ Command+3 will bring you to the 3rd open tab.
  5. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 10
    5
    Press ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+t to re-open the last closed tab.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Switching Tabs on macOS (Chrome and Firefox)

  1. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 11
    1
    Open multiple tabs in your web browser. To open a tab with your keyboard, press ⌘ Command+t.[3]
  2. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 12
    2
    Press ⌘ Command+⌥ Option+→ to go to the next open tab.
  3. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 13
    3
    Press ⌘ Command+⌥ Option+← to go to the previous open tab.
  4. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 14
    4
    Press ⌘ Command+1 through ⌘ Command+9 to go to a tab by number. For example, pressing ⌘ Command+3 will bring you to the 3rd open tab.
  5. Image titled Switch Tabs with Your Keyboard on PC or Mac Step 15
    5
    Press ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+t to re-open the last closed tab.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/157179?hl=en
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/keyboard-and-other-shortcuts-cpsh003/mac
  3. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/157179?hl=en

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 106,410 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 106,410
Categories: Basic Computer Skills
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