Keyboard shortcuts are one of the fastest ways to speed up your workflow in SketchUp. Whether you're modeling daily or just getting started, setting up intentional hot keys can dramatically reduce clicks and searching through the menu.
These are the typical default shortcuts in SketchUp (based on standard installations). If a key is already assigned, you’ll see it listed in the Shortcuts panel.
A – Arc [draw]
B – Paint Bucket [tools]
C – Circle [draw]
E – Eraser [tools]
F – Offset [tools]
G – Make Component [edit]
H – Pan [camera]
K – Back Edges [view]
L – Line [draw]
M – Move [tools]
O – Orbit [camera]
P – Push / Pull [tools]
Q – Rotate [tools]
R – Rectangle [draw]
S – Scale [tools]
T – Tape Measure [tools]
Z – Zoom [camera]
F1 – Help
These are often available for customization (but always confirm in your Preferences panel since extensions may add their own):
D
I
J
N
U
V
W
X
Y
F2 - F12
Customizing shortcuts in SketchUp is simple:
Go to Window > Preferences
Mac: SketchUp > Settings > Shortcuts
Select the Shortcuts tab
Search for a command in the filter bar
Click in the “Add Shortcut” field
Press your desired key combination
Click + to assign
If a conflict appears, decide whether to reassign
You can also modify or remove existing shortcuts from this same panel.
Instead of assigning keys randomly, group them by workflow. Keep it simple and intentional.
Visibility Controls
U – Unhide Last
Shift + U – Unhide All
Hide Selected
Hide Rest of Model
Toggle Hidden Geometry
Component & Group Workflow
Make Group
Explode
Make Unique
Lock / Unlock
Solid Editing
Solid Union
Solid Subtract
Solid Trim
Navigation & View
Zoom Extents
Previous View
Toggle Shadows
Advanced Tools
Intersect Faces
Reverse Faces
Soften / Smooth Edges
Flip Along Axis
Assign shortcuts to:
Commands you use constantly
Commands buried in menus
Tools that interrupt modeling flow
Last updated by Abigail Green - March 2026