Complete NVDA keyboard shortcuts reference â 22 shortcuts across 3 categories. Quick reference cheat sheet for Windows.
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows used by millions of blind and low-vision users. Its shortcuts are built around the NVDA modifier key â Insert by default, or Caps Lock in the laptop layout.
This page covers all 22 NVDA shortcuts across 3 categories: Basics (7), Reading (6), Browse Mode (Web) (9). Each shortcut includes a description to help you understand when and how to use it effectively.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + N | Start NVDA |
| NVDA + Q | Quit NVDA |
| NVDA + N | NVDA menu |
| Ctrl | Stop speech |
| Shift | Pause speech |
| NVDA + S | Speech mode |
| NVDA + 1 | Input help |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| NVDA + Down | Say all |
| NVDA + Up | Read current line |
| NVDA + T | Read window title |
| NVDA + B | Read window |
| NVDA + Tab | Report focus |
| NVDA + F12 | Report time |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| NVDA + Space | Browse/focus mode |
| H | Next heading |
| K | Next link |
| B | Next button |
| F | Next form field |
| D | Next landmark |
| T | Next table |
| L | Next list |
| NVDA + F7 | Elements list |
NVDA's 22 shortcuts on this page are organized into 3 categories: Basics (7), Reading (6), Browse Mode (Web) (9). Browse Mode (Web) is the largest group with 9 shortcuts â a good place to focus first if you're building muscle memory from scratch.
Unlike many tools we cover, NVDA's key combinations here don't heavily overlap with other platforms in our database â worth learning on their own terms rather than by analogy.
New to NVDA? Start with Basics above â it's usually where the shortcuts you'll reach for constantly live. Once those feel automatic, work through Browse Mode (Web) to round out your workflow.
Want this on paper? The printable cheat sheet turns these 22 shortcuts into a one-page PDF you can pin above your desk. Prefer to learn by doing? Shortcut Speedrun turns memorization into a timed typing challenge with a global leaderboard, so you find out which NVDA shortcuts you actually remember under pressure.
The most essential NVDA shortcuts are: Ctrl + Alt + N (Start NVDA), NVDA + Q (Quit NVDA), NVDA + N (NVDA menu). These cover the most frequent actions and can significantly speed up your workflow.
NVDA has 22 keyboard shortcuts across 3 categories on shortcut-tools.com.
Simply press the key combination while NVDA is focused. Most shortcuts work immediately. On Mac, replace Ctrl with Cmd and Alt with Option for most shortcuts.
The NVDA shortcut for start nvda is Ctrl + Alt + N.
NVDA includes 9 Browse Mode (Web) shortcuts, including NVDA + Space (Browse/focus mode) and H (Next heading). See the full list in the Browse Mode (Web) section above.
Print the NVDA cheat sheet and keep it next to your keyboard for the first week, then switch to active recall: open Shortcut Speedrun and practice NVDA shortcuts against the clock until they're automatic.
Yes â use My Stack to combine NVDA shortcuts with any other platform on this site into one printable reference, which is useful if your daily workflow spans several tools.
No â NVDA is Windows-only. On macOS the built-in equivalent is VoiceOver, and on Linux the common choice is Orca. The web quick-navigation letters (H, K, B, FâŚ) are, however, nearly identical across NVDA and JAWS.
Start with the essentials: Learn Ctrl + Alt + N (Start NVDA) and NVDA + Q (Quit NVDA) first â these are the most commonly used.
Practice daily: Pick 2â3 new shortcuts each day and consciously use them instead of the mouse. Within a week, they become muscle memory.
Print this cheat sheet: Keep a reference nearby until shortcuts become automatic. Focus on the Browse Mode (Web) category first.
Accessibility tip: Master the single-letter quick-navigation keys on the web first â they are nearly identical across screen readers, so the effort transfers.