Desktop screen reader keys
Keyboard commands for NVDA, JAWS, Narrator, Orca and VoiceOver for Mac, with trackpad and touch gestures where they exist. Each card shows the keys and the cursor moving across a sample page.
On this page
Choose a screen reader and open its section. Start with its modifier key, then browse commands grouped by task. Cross-platform comparisons are at the end of the page.
The illustrations are still. Start the animations to observe movement and pause them to read.
How to read the animations
- Highlighted keys show the combination to press.
- The outline shows the cursor moving across a sample page.
NVDA on Windows
9 tasks · 64 commands
NVDA key
Insert or Caps Lock
Shown as “NVDA” on the cards. Numeric keypad commands, such as Num 5, belong to the desktop layout.
Browse mode and focus mode in NVDA
Browse mode Keys navigate the page: H headings, K links, T tables.
⇄ NVDA + Space
Focus mode Keys go to the field: you type.
Basics
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
NVDA menu
NVDA + N
Opens the NVDA menu, which leads to settings and tools.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Speech mode
NVDA + S
Cycles through speech modes.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Stop speech
Ctrl
Immediately stops what NVDA is reading.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Pause speech
Shift
Pauses reading. Press it again to resume.
Reading
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Say all
NVDA + ↓
Reads from the current position to the end of the document.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Current line
NVDA + ↑
Reads the line. Pressed twice it spells it; three times it adds character descriptions.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Window title
NVDA + T
Reads the title of the active window.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Focused item
NVDA + Tab
Announces the item that has focus.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Status bar
NVDA + End
Reads the window’s status bar.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Current word
Num 5
From the numeric keypad: reads the word under the review cursor.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Next word
Num 6
Review cursor: moves to the next word.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Previous word
Num 4
Review cursor: moves back to the previous word.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Current character
Num 2
Reads the character under the review cursor.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Next character
Num 3
Review cursor: moves to the next character.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Previous character
Num 1
Review cursor: moves back to the previous character.
Browse and focus modes
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Browse or focus
NVDA + Space
Switches between browse mode, for navigating the page, and focus mode, for typing in fields.
Quick navigation
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Headings
H
Next heading. Add Shift to go to the previous one.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Previous heading
Shift + H
Shift with any navigation key reverses the direction.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Heading level
2
A number jumps to a heading at that level. Shift with the number goes to the previous one.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Links
K
Moves to the next link.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Landmarks
D
Moves to the next landmark, such as the banner or main content.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Tables
T
Moves to the next table.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Form fields
F
Moves to the next form field.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Edit fields
E
Moves to the next edit field.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Buttons
B
Moves to the next button.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Other elements
L
L lists, I list items, G graphics, X checkboxes, R radio buttons, C combo boxes, Q block quotes.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Elements list
NVDA + F7
Opens a filterable list of headings, links, form fields, landmarks and more.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Find in page
NVDA + Ctrl + F
Searches for text. NVDA+F3 goes to the next result, NVDA+Shift+F3 to the previous one.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Start of container
Shift + ,
Moves to the start of the current container, such as a table or a list.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
End of container
,
Skips past the end of the current container.
Tables
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Next column
Ctrl + Alt + →
Inside a table: cell to the right.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Previous column
Ctrl + Alt + ←
Inside a table: cell to the left.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Next row
Ctrl + Alt + ↓
Inside a table: cell below.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Previous row
Ctrl + Alt + ↑
Inside a table: cell above.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
First column
Ctrl + Alt + Home
Inside a table: jumps to the first column.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Last column
Ctrl + Alt + End
Inside a table: jumps to the last column.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
First row
Ctrl + Alt + PgUp
Inside a table: jumps to the first row.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Last row
Ctrl + Alt + PgDn
Inside a table: jumps to the last row.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Read the row
NVDA + Ctrl + Alt + →
Reads every cell in the current row.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Read the column
NVDA + Ctrl + Alt + ↓
Reads every cell in the current column.
Paragraphs and tools
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Text paragraph
P
In browse mode: next paragraph. With Shift, the previous one.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Pass key through
NVDA + F2
The next key goes straight to the application without being handled by NVDA.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Formatting
NVDA + F
Reports the text formatting at the caret. With Shift, at the review cursor.
Objects
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Current object
NVDA + Num 5
Reports the navigator object. Numeric keypad.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Containing object
NVDA + Num 8
Moves up to the object that contains the current one.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Previous object
NVDA + Num 4
Moves to the object before it.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Next object
NVDA + Num 6
Moves to the object after it.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
First contained object
NVDA + Num 2
Moves down to the first object inside the current one.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Activate object
NVDA + Num Enter
Activates the navigator object, like a click.
Review cursor
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
First row
Shift + Num 7
Moves the review cursor to the first line.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Last row
Shift + Num 9
Moves the review cursor to the last line.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Previous row
Num 7
Review cursor: previous line.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Next row
Num 9
Review cursor: next line.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Say all from review
Num +
Reads onwards from the review cursor.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Review mode
NVDA + Num 7
Switches to the next review mode. NVDA+Num 1 switches to the previous one.
Settings
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
General
NVDA + Ctrl + G
Opens general settings.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Speech
NVDA + Ctrl + V
Opens speech settings.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Synthesizer
NVDA + Ctrl + S
Chooses the speech synthesizer.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Audio
NVDA + Ctrl + U
Opens audio settings.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Keyboard
NVDA + Ctrl + K
Opens keyboard settings.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Mouse
NVDA + Ctrl + M
Opens mouse settings.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Object presentation
NVDA + Ctrl + O
Opens object presentation settings.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Browse mode
NVDA + Ctrl + B
Opens browse mode settings.
KeyboardNVDA · Windows
Document formatting
NVDA + Ctrl + D
Opens document formatting settings.
VoiceOver on Mac
6 tasks · 71 commands
VO key
Control + Option or Caps Lock
Shown as “VO” on the cards. VO+semicolon locks the modifier, so you don’t have to hold it.
Basics
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Turn VoiceOver on or off
Cmd + F5
On a Mac with Touch ID: hold Command and press Touch ID three times.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
VO key
Ctrl + Opt
Control and Option together, or Caps Lock. VO+semicolon locks the modifier.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Keyboard help
VO + K
Press a key or combination to hear what it does without running it.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Help menu
VO + H
Opens the VoiceOver help menu. VO+H+H opens the commands menu.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
VoiceOver Utility
VO + Fn + F8
Opens VoiceOver settings: web rotor, Quick Nav, commands.
Move and act
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next item
VO + →
Moves the VoiceOver cursor right.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Previous item
VO + ←
Moves the VoiceOver cursor left.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Activate
VO + Space
Clicks the selected item.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Double-click
VO + Space + Space
Double-clicks the selected item.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Secondary click
VO + Shift + M
Opens the item’s context menu.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Interact with a group
VO + Shift + ↓
Enters an area or group so you can move among its items.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Stop interacting
VO + Shift + ↑
Leaves the area or group you are interacting with.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Top level
VO + Shift + Esc
Returns to the app’s top level.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Select item
VO + Cmd + Return
Selects or deselects the item.
Reading
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Say all
VO + A
Reads the document from the top. After interacting, reads down from the cursor.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Paragraph
VO + P
Reads the current paragraph.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next paragraph
VO + Shift + PgDn
Moves to the next paragraph. With PgUp, the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Line
VO + L
Reads the current line.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next row
VO + ↓
Moves to the next line. With the up arrow, the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Sentence
VO + S
Reads the current sentence.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next sentence
VO + Cmd + PgDn
Moves to the next sentence. With PgUp, the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Word
VO + W
Reads the word. Pressed again it spells it; once more it spells it phonetically.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next word
VO + →
In text you are interacting with: next word.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Character
VO + C
Reads the character. Pressed again it says it phonetically.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next character
→
In text you are interacting with: next character, with the arrow alone.
Rotor and Quick Nav
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Rotor menus
VO + U
Opens the rotor menus. On the web: links, headings, form controls, tables, landmarks and frames.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Direct rotor
VO + Cmd + →
Chooses the navigation type, for example Links, without opening the menu.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next rotor item
VO + Cmd + ↓
Moves to the next item of the chosen type. With the up arrow, the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Quick Nav
← + →
Press both arrows together to turn Quick Nav on or off. It is set up in VoiceOver Utility.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Arrow Quick Nav
VO + Shift + Q
Turns arrow-key Quick Nav on or off: move VoiceOver without holding VO.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Single-key Quick Nav
VO + Q
Turns single-key Quick Nav on or off. Then B goes to the next button (Shift+B the previous one), 1 to a level 1 heading.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Default action (Quick Nav)
↑ + ↓
With Quick Nav: performs the item’s default action.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Interact (Quick Nav)
→ + ↓
With Quick Nav: starts interacting with the item.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Stop interacting (Quick Nav)
← + ↓
With Quick Nav: stops interacting with the item.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Heading (Quick Nav)
H
With single-key Quick Nav: next heading. Shift for the previous one. This list comes from a California Department of Education guide, not from Apple.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Link (Quick Nav)
L
Next link, with single-key Quick Nav.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Form control (Quick Nav)
C
Next form control.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Table (Quick Nav)
T
Next table.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Landmark (Quick Nav)
W
Next ARIA landmark.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
List (Quick Nav)
X
Next list.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Image (Quick Nav)
I
Next image.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Quick Nav rotor
← + ↑
With Quick Nav: opens the rotor. Right+Up arrows for the next category, Left+Up for the previous one. Up and Down move through the items.
Find on the web
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next heading
VO + Cmd + H
Goes to the next heading. With Shift, the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Heading at the same level
VO + Cmd + M
Goes to the next heading at the same level as the current one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next link
VO + Cmd + L
Goes to the next link. With Shift, the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Visited link
VO + Cmd + V
Goes to the next visited link.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next table
VO + Cmd + T
Goes to the next table.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next list
VO + Cmd + X
Goes to the next list.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next graphic
VO + Cmd + G
Goes to the next graphic.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next control
VO + Cmd + J
Goes to the next control, such as a field or a button.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Block quote
VO + Cmd + Q
Goes to the next block quote.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Plain text
VO + Cmd + P
Goes to the next block of plain text.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Same type of item
VO + Cmd + S
Goes to the next item of the same type as the current one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Different item
VO + Cmd + D
Goes to the next item of a different type.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Misspelled word
VO + Cmd + E
Goes to the next misspelled word.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Find
VO + F
Searches for text. VO+G for the next result, VO+Shift+G for the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next column
VO + Cmd + Y
Moves to the next column on the page. With Shift, the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Next frame
VO + Cmd + F
Moves to the next frame. With Shift, the previous one.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
From the top of the page
VO + B
Reads from the top of the page to the current position.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Link address
VO + Shift + U
Reads the link’s address (URL).
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Page statistics
VO + Shift + |
Reads the web page statistics.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Group items in tables
VO + Cmd + =
Turns grouping of items in tables on or off.
KeyboardVoiceOver · Mac
Item Chooser
VO + I
Opens a searchable list. Type to filter, arrows to move, Return to choose, Esc to close.
Trackpad
2 fingersVoiceOver · Mac
Two-finger swipe up
Reads everything from the top.
2 fingersVoiceOver · Mac
Two-finger swipe down
Reads from the cursor to the end.
2 fingersVoiceOver · Mac
Two-finger rotate
Chooses a rotor setting.
1 fingerVoiceOver · Mac
Swipe up with the rotor
Previous item of the chosen type. Swipe down for the next one.
2 fingersVoiceOver · Mac
Two-finger scrub
Closes a menu without choosing anything, like the Esc key.
3 fingersVoiceOver · Mac
Three-finger double tap
Mutes or unmutes VoiceOver.
3 fingersVoiceOver · Mac
Three-finger triple tap
Turns Screen Curtain on or off.
3 fingersVoiceOver · Mac
Three-finger swipe up or down
Scrolls one page.
JAWS on Windows
3 tasks · 39 commands
JAWS key
Insert
Shown as “Ins” on the cards. The commands belong to the desktop layout.
Basics and reading
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Stop speech
Ctrl
Stops reading immediately.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Say all
Ins + ↓
Reads onwards from the current position.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Line
Ins + ↑
Reads the current line.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Word
Ins + Num 5
Reads the current word.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Character
Num 5
Reads the current character.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Sentence
Alt + Num 5
Reads the current sentence.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Paragraph
Ctrl + Num 5
Reads the current paragraph.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Previous word
Ins + ←
Reads the previous word.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Next word
Ins + →
Reads the next word.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
From the top to the cursor
Ins + Home
Reads from the top to the cursor.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
From the cursor onwards
Ins + PgUp
Reads onwards from the cursor.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Quick Settings
Ins + V
Opens JAWS Quick Settings.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Help
Ins + F1
Context-sensitive help. Pressed twice quickly: JAWS help for the application.
Web navigation
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Headings
H
Next heading. With Shift, the previous one.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Headings list
Ins + F6
Opens the list of headings on the page.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Links list
Ins + F7
Opens the list of links on the page.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Form fields list
Ins + F5
Opens the list of form fields.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Form field
F
Next field. With Shift, the previous one.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Edit field
E
Moves to the next edit box.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Button
B
Moves to the next button.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Combo box
C
Moves to the next combo box.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Checkbox
X
Moves to the next checkbox.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Radio button
A
Moves to the next radio button.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Unvisited link
U
Moves to the next unvisited link. V for visited links.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Table
T
Moves to the next table.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Main region
Q
Goes to the main region.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Next region
R
Goes to the next region.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
List
L
Moves to the next list.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Forms mode
Return
Enters forms mode. Num + to leave it.
Tables and cursors
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Cell to the right
Alt + Ctrl + →
In a table: next cell in the row.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Cell to the left
Alt + Ctrl + ←
In a table: previous cell in the row.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Cell below
Alt + Ctrl + ↓
In a table: cell below.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Cell above
Alt + Ctrl + ↑
In a table: cell above.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Read the row
Win + ,
Reads the current line.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Read the column
Win + .
Reads the current column.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
PC cursor
Num +
Switches to the PC cursor.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
JAWS cursor
Num -
Switches to the JAWS cursor.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Route PC cursor to JAWS cursor
Ins + Num +
Moves the PC cursor to where the JAWS cursor is.
KeyboardJAWS · Windows
Route JAWS cursor to PC cursor
Ins + Num -
Moves the JAWS cursor to where the PC cursor is.
Narrator on Windows
6 tasks · 81 commands
Narrator key
Caps Lock or Insert
Shown as “Narr” on the cards. You can change it in Narrator settings.
Basics
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Start or stop
Win + Ctrl + Return
Turns Narrator on or off.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Narrator key
Caps Lock
Caps Lock or Insert. Shown as “Narr” on the cards.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Exit
Narr + Esc
Closes Narrator.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Input learning
Narr + 1
Turns input learning mode on or off.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Commands list
Narr + F1
Opens the list of Narrator commands.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Item commands
Narr + F2
Shows commands for the current item.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Primary action
Narr + Return
Performs the item’s primary action.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Stop reading
Ctrl
Stops reading.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Pass keys to the app
Narr + 3
Passes keys through to the application.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Lock the Narrator key
Narr + Z
Locks the Narrator key so you don’t have to hold it.
Reading
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Next item
Narr + →
Moves to the next item.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Previous item
Narr + ←
Moves to the previous item.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Read item
Narr + Tab
Reads the current item. Pressed twice it spells it.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Read from cursor
Narr + R
Reads onwards from the cursor.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Read document
Ctrl + Narr + R
Starts reading the document.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Window title
Narr + T
Reads the window title.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Repeat last phrase
Narr + X
Repeats the last thing spoken.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Previous row
Narr + U
Reads the previous line.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Current line
Narr + I
Reads the current line.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Next row
Narr + O
Reads the next line.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Previous word
Narr + J
Reads the previous word.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Current word
Narr + K
Reads the current word.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Next word
Narr + L
Reads the next word.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Current character
Narr + ,
Reads the current character.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Next character
Narr + .
Reads the next character.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Current paragraph
Ctrl + Narr + K
Reads the current paragraph.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Start of text
Narr + B
Goes to the start of the text.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
End of text
Narr + E
Goes to the end of the text.
Page, speech and lists
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Page summary
Narr + S
Summarises the web page. Pressed twice: summary and popular links.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Links list
Narr + F7
Opens the list of links.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Landmarks list
Narr + F5
Opens the list of landmarks.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Headings list
Narr + F6
Opens the list of headings.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Main region
Narr + N
Goes to the main landmark.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Search
Narr + Ctrl + F
Opens Narrator search. F3 goes to the next result.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Faster speech
Narr + +
Increases the speech rate.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Slower speech
Narr + -
Decreases the speech rate.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Louder speech
Ctrl + Narr + +
Raises the speech volume.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
More detail
Narr + V
Increases verbosity.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Speech off
Narr + Shift + S
Turns speech off.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Screen curtain
Narr + Ctrl + C
Turns the screen curtain on or off.
Scan mode
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Scan mode
Narr + Space
Turns scan mode on or off. Single keys then navigate the page.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Headings
H
Next heading. With Shift, the previous one. Numbers 1 to 9 go to a heading at that level.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Links
K
Next link.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Landmark
D
Next landmark.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Table
T
Next table.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Button
B
Next button.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Edit field
E
Next edit field.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Form field
F
Next form field.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
List
L
Next list. I for list items.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Graphic
G
Next graphic.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Paragraph
P
Next paragraph.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Combo box
C
Next combo box.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Checkbox
X
Next checkbox.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Radio button
R
Next radio button.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Start of container
,
Goes to the start of a table, list or landmark.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
End of container
.
Goes to the end of a table, list or landmark.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Primary action
Return
Performs the primary action.
Tables
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
First cell
Ctrl + Alt + Home
Goes to the first cell of the table.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Last cell
Ctrl + Alt + End
Goes to the last cell of the table.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Cell to the right
Ctrl + Alt + →
Next cell in the row.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Cell to the left
Ctrl + Alt + ←
Previous cell in the row.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Cell below
Ctrl + Alt + ↓
Next cell in the column.
KeyboardNarrator · Windows
Cell above
Ctrl + Alt + ↑
Previous cell in the column.
Touch
1 fingerNarrator · Windows
Tap or drag
Reads what is under your finger.
1 fingerNarrator · Windows
Double tap
Primary action.
1 fingerNarrator · Windows
Triple tap
Secondary action.
1 fingerNarrator · Windows
Swipe right
Next item.
1 fingerNarrator · Windows
Swipe left
Previous item.
1 fingerNarrator · Windows
Swipe up or down
Changes the view.
2 fingersNarrator · Windows
Two-finger tap
Stops reading.
3 fingersNarrator · Windows
Three-finger tap
Changes verbosity.
4 fingersNarrator · Windows
Four-finger tap
Commands for the current item.
2 fingersNarrator · Windows
Two-finger double tap
Context menu.
2 fingersNarrator · Windows
Two-finger triple tap
Closes context menus, like Esc.
3 fingersNarrator · Windows
Three-finger double tap
Reads text attributes.
4 fingersNarrator · Windows
Four-finger double tap
Opens Narrator search.
4 fingersNarrator · Windows
Four-finger triple tap
Shows all Narrator commands.
2 fingersNarrator · Windows
Two-finger swipe
Scroll content.
3 fingersNarrator · Windows
Three-finger swipe right
Tab forwards. To the left, Tab backwards.
3 fingersNarrator · Windows
Three-finger swipe up
Reads the current window.
4 fingersNarrator · Windows
Four-finger swipe right
Moves the Narrator cursor to the end of the unit.
Orca on Linux
3 tasks · 42 commands
Orca modifier
Insert or Caps Lock
Shown as “Orca” on the cards. Insert applies to the desktop layout, Caps Lock to the laptop layout.
Basics and reading
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Orca modifier
Ins
Insert on the desktop layout, Caps Lock on the laptop layout. Shown as “Orca” on the cards.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Toggle speech
Orca + S
Turns speech off or back on.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Settings
Orca + Space
Opens the Orca preferences window.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Learn mode
Orca + H
Press a key to hear what it does. Esc to exit.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Turn Orca on or off
Super + Alt + S
Turns Orca on or off in desktop environments that support it.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
App preferences
Ctrl + Orca + Space
Orca preferences for the current application.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Quit (older guide)
Orca + Q
An older GNOME wiki lists Orca+Q. The current guide assigns no key.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Say all
Orca + Num +
Reads from the cursor to the end of the document.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Current line
Num 8
Reads the current line.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Current word
Num 5
Reads the current word.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Current character
Num 2
Reads the current character.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Previous row
Num 7
Flat review: previous line.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Next row
Num 9
Flat review: next line.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Previous word
Num 4
Flat review: previous word.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Next word
Num 6
Flat review: next word.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Previous character
Num 1
Flat review: previous character.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Next character
Num 3
Flat review: next character.
Structural navigation
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Turn on structural navigation
Orca + Z
In editable documents, turn it on before using the keys. On the web it is usually not needed.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Headings
H
Next heading. With Shift, the previous one. Numbers 1 to 6 go to a heading at that level.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Links
K
Moves to the next link. U for unvisited, V for visited.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Button
B
Moves to the next button.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Edit field
E
Moves to the next edit field.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Combo box
C
Moves to the next combo box.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Checkbox
X
Moves to the next checkbox.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Radio button
R
Moves to the next radio button.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Form field
Orca + Tab
Moves to the next form field.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Table
T
Moves to the next table.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
List
L
Moves to the next list. I for list items.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Landmark
M
Moves to the next landmark.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Paragraph
P
Moves to the next paragraph.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Block quote
Q
Moves to the next block quote.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Graphic
G
Moves to the next image.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Clickable
A
Moves to the next clickable element.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Large object
O
Moves to the next large object.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Separator
S
Moves to the next separator.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Elements list
Alt + Shift + H
Alt+Shift plus a letter, for example H, opens a list of that element type.
Tables
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Cell to the left
Alt + Shift + ←
Moves to the cell on the left.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Cell to the right
Alt + Shift + →
Moves to the cell on the right.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Cell above
Alt + Shift + ↑
Moves to the cell above.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Cell below
Alt + Shift + ↓
Moves to the cell below.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
First cell
Alt + Shift + Home
Moves to the first cell.
KeyboardOrca · Linux
Last cell
Alt + Shift + End
Moves to the last cell.
Platform comparisons
The tables compare equivalent commands. They are most useful when you test the same journey on several platforms.
NVDA and VoiceOver on Mac
Modifier key
- NVDA
- Insert or Caps Lock
- VoiceOver on Mac
- Control + Option or Caps Lock
Read everything
- NVDA
- NVDA + ↓
- VoiceOver on Mac
- VO + A
Read the line
- NVDA
- NVDA + ↑
- VoiceOver on Mac
- VO + L
Read the word
- NVDA
- Num 5 (review cursor)
- VoiceOver on Mac
- VO + W
Read the character
- NVDA
- Num 2 (review cursor)
- VoiceOver on Mac
- VO + C
Paragraph and sentence
- NVDA
- No command listed in the guide consulted
- VoiceOver on Mac
- VO + P and VO + S
Help menu
- NVDA
- NVDA + N (NVDA menu)
- VoiceOver on Mac
- VO + H
Navigate between elements
- NVDA
- Browse mode: H, K, T, F, D
- VoiceOver on Mac
- Rotor: VO + U, or VO + Cmd + arrows
List of page elements
- NVDA
- NVDA + F7
- VoiceOver on Mac
- VO + U (rotor menu)
Type in a field
- NVDA
- NVDA + Space (focus mode)
- VoiceOver on Mac
- VO + Shift + ↓ (interact)
Tables
- NVDA
- T, then Ctrl + Alt + arrows
- VoiceOver on Mac
- Rotor, Tables item
Mute speech
- NVDA
- Ctrl stops, Shift pauses
- VoiceOver on Mac
- Trackpad: three-finger double tap
In NVDA the commands change with the laptop layout. In VoiceOver for Mac, single-key web navigation needs Quick Nav turned on; the web rotor is customised in VoiceOver Utility.
Screen readers for Windows and Linux
Modifier
- NVDA
- Insert or Caps Lock
- JAWS
- Insert
- Narrator
- Caps Lock or Insert
- Orca
- Insert or Caps Lock
Read everything
- NVDA
- NVDA + ↓
- JAWS
- Ins + ↓
- Narrator
- Ctrl + Narr + R or Narr + ↓
- Orca
- Orca + Num +
Stop speech
- NVDA
- Ctrl
- JAWS
- Ctrl
- Narrator
- Ctrl
- Orca
- —
Next heading
- NVDA
- H
- JAWS
- H
- Narrator
- H (scan mode)
- Orca
- H
Headings list
- NVDA
- NVDA + F7
- JAWS
- Ins + F6
- Narrator
- Narr + F6
- Orca
- Alt + Shift + H
Links list
- NVDA
- NVDA + F7
- JAWS
- Ins + F7
- Narrator
- Narr + F7
- Orca
- Alt + Shift + K
Next table
- NVDA
- T
- JAWS
- T
- Narrator
- T (scan mode)
- Orca
- T
Command help
- NVDA
- NVDA + N (menu)
- JAWS
- Ins + F1
- Narrator
- Narr + F1
- Orca
- Orca + H
Settings
- NVDA
- NVDA + Ctrl + G
- JAWS
- Ins + V
- Narrator
- —
- Orca
- Orca + Space
For Narrator, single keys work after Narrator + Space. “—” means the command does not appear in the official pages consulted, not that it does not exist. In NVDA the elements list opens a single window with headings, links and more.
Sources and limits
The descriptions are rewritten from the official guides; the animations are original.
- NV Access guide: NVDA commands (external website, opens in a new tab)
- Freedom Scientific guide: JAWS keystrokes (external website, opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft guide: Narrator keyboard commands and touch gestures (external website, opens in a new tab)
- GNOME guide: Orca commands (external website, opens in a new tab)
- Apple guide: VoiceOver commands on Mac (external website, opens in a new tab)
Commands can change with the system version, the screen reader version and the manufacturer. Before a test or an audit, try them on the device: on iPhone with VoiceOver Practice, on Android with the TalkBack tutorial (four-finger tap).