Copy and Paste Shortcuts: The Complete Keyboard Shortcut Reference for All Devices
Mastering copy and paste shortcuts transforms how efficiently you work with text on any device. This comprehensive reference covers every keyboard shortcut related to copying, cutting, pasting, selecting, and managing clipboard content across Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and mobile devices. Whether you are a beginner learning the basics or a power user looking for advanced techniques, this guide has you covered.
Essential Copy and Paste Shortcuts
These are the shortcuts every computer user should know by heart. They work in virtually every application:
Windows and Linux
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+C | Copy selected content to clipboard |
| Ctrl+V | Paste clipboard content |
| Ctrl+X | Cut (copy and delete original) |
| Ctrl+A | Select all content |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo last action |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo (reverse undo) |
| Ctrl+Shift+V | Paste as plain text (no formatting) |
| Windows+V | Open clipboard history (Win 10/11) |
macOS
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Cmd+C | Copy selected content |
| Cmd+V | Paste clipboard content |
| Cmd+X | Cut selection |
| Cmd+A | Select all |
| Cmd+Z | Undo |
| Cmd+Shift+Z | Redo |
| Cmd+Opt+Shift+V | Paste and match style |
Text Selection Shortcuts
Before you can copy text, you need to select it. These selection shortcuts allow you to work without reaching for the mouse:
Character and Word Selection
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Shift+Right | Select one character right |
| Shift+Left | Select one character left |
| Ctrl+Shift+Right | Select one word right |
| Ctrl+Shift+Left | Select one word left |
| Shift+Home | Select to beginning of line |
| Shift+End | Select to end of line |
| Ctrl+Shift+Home | Select to beginning of document |
| Ctrl+Shift+End | Select to end of document |
Application-Specific Shortcuts
Terminal and Command Line
Terminal applications handle shortcuts differently because Ctrl+C is used for interrupting processes:
- Linux Terminal: Ctrl+Shift+C (copy), Ctrl+Shift+V (paste)
- Windows Terminal: Ctrl+Shift+C (copy), Ctrl+Shift+V (paste)
- macOS Terminal: Cmd+C (copy), Cmd+V (paste) (works normally)
- Command Prompt (legacy): Right-click to paste, or enable Ctrl shortcuts in settings
Web Browsers
- Copy page URL: Ctrl+L (select address bar) then Ctrl+C
- Copy link address: Right-click link, select "Copy link address"
- Paste into address bar: Ctrl+L then Ctrl+V
- Paste and navigate: Ctrl+L then Ctrl+Shift+V (some browsers)
Microsoft Office
- Paste Special: Ctrl+Alt+V (opens paste format options)
- Paste as plain text: Ctrl+Shift+V or use Paste Special
- Office Clipboard: Ctrl+C twice quickly (opens Office clipboard panel)
Code Editors (VS Code, Sublime, etc.)
- Duplicate line: Ctrl+Shift+D (copies current line below)
- Copy line up/down: Alt+Shift+Up/Down
- Multi-cursor copy: Ctrl+D to select next occurrence, then Ctrl+C
- Column selection: Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Arrow keys
ChromeOS Shortcuts
- Ctrl+C: Copy
- Ctrl+V: Paste
- Ctrl+X: Cut
- Search+V: Open clipboard history (stores last 5 items)
- Ctrl+Shift+V: Paste as plain text
Mobile Device Shortcuts
iOS (iPhone/iPad with keyboard)
- Cmd+C: Copy (with external keyboard)
- Cmd+V: Paste (with external keyboard)
- Three-finger pinch: Copy gesture (touchscreen)
- Three-finger spread: Paste gesture (touchscreen)
Android
- Ctrl+C: Copy (with external keyboard)
- Ctrl+V: Paste (with external keyboard)
- Long press → Copy: Touch-based copy
- Long press → Paste: Touch-based paste
Advanced Clipboard Management
Windows Clipboard History
Windows 10 and 11 support clipboard history that stores up to 25 items. Enable it in Settings → System → Clipboard. Press Windows+V to access it. You can pin items, clear history, and even sync clipboard across your Microsoft devices.
macOS Universal Clipboard
If you use multiple Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID, Universal Clipboard lets you copy on one device and paste on another. It works between Mac, iPhone, and iPad automatically through Handoff.
Online Clipboard (ClipboardSyncer)
For cross-platform, cross-ecosystem clipboard sharing, ClipboardSyncer provides same-network sync that works between any devices regardless of operating system. Copy on a Windows PC and paste on an Android phone, or vice versa, as long as both are on the same WiFi network.
Productivity Tips Using Copy Paste Shortcuts
- Double-click to select a word. Faster than click-and-drag for single words
- Triple-click for paragraphs. Selects the entire paragraph in most applications
- Ctrl+Shift+V for clean pasting. Always use this when copying between different applications to avoid formatting issues
- Ctrl+Z immediately after paste. If you paste wrong, undo instantly
- Use clipboard history. Stop switching between windows; copy everything first, then paste each item from history
- Keep ClipboardSyncer open. For anything you might need later, paste it into ClipboardSyncer as a backup clipboard
Practice Your Shortcuts with ClipboardSyncer
Use our free online clipboard to practice copy and paste shortcuts while enjoying persistent storage and device sync.
Open Clipboard Tool