Skip to main content

Switch between tabs in any browser using keyboard shortcuts

update google chrome security vulnerabilities
Firmbee / Unsplash

As tabs start adding up in your browser window, managing them all can get a little complicated. The good news is that all the best browsers have built-in methods to switch between tabs very quickly, and you don't even need your mouse to use them.

Spend a few minutes learning these commands, and you’ll be sorting through tabs with blinding speed.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Desktop PC, laptop, or tablet with a keyboard

How do you switch between tabs without clicking?

The secret? Keyboard shortcuts. There are many native shortcuts built into browsers and operating systems so that they can be accessed without a mouse. In many cases, keyboard shortcuts are also faster or more effective than using a mouse. An excellent example is switching between tabs on your browser. Let’s go over some of the best keyboard shortcuts for browser tabs.

Close up of a person's hands as they type on a laptop's keyboard.
Mikhail Nilov/Pexels

What is the easiest way to switch tabs with a keyboard?

Control + Tab

This is your bread-and-butter shortcut to move forward to the next open tab on the right. This shortcut is so basic that nearly every browser should support it, and it doesn’t really matter what style of keyboard you are using.

Shift + Control + Tab

This is the option to go back a tab, switching to the tab on the left. With these two commands, you can cycle back and forth through every tab in the browser window very quickly. On keyboards that have PgUp/PgDn keys, you can use Control + PgUp/PgDn to switch tabs as well if you feel more comfortable doing it this way.

Open the last tab you closed

Control + Shift + T

This will switch to the last tab you closed, automatically opening it again. This is an excellent command to have memorized if you accidentally closed a tab early and want to retrieve it.

Move to a specific tab

Control + Number Key

This command works for most browsers and will automatically go to the number of the tab you select. For example, let’s say you have five tabs open and want to go immediately to the fourth tab. You can select Control + 4 and switch to the fourth tab. This is a good way to bounce back and forth between tabs as you are studying or researching, but it only works up to eight tabs. Using Control + 9 will typically switch to the final tab in the window, no matter how many tabs you have open.

Open a duplicate tab

Alt + Shift + D

This will open a duplicate of the tab that you are currently on, allowing you to add it to another window or stay on that particular webpage while you navigate further on your current tab. Note that on a Mac keyboard, this command is Alt + Shift + D instead.

Additional tips

If you are doing a lot of tab work, you may want to consider downloading an extension to help you manage them, such as Tab Manager Plus for Chrome. Some browsers, like Safari, also have built-in tools to manage, label, and save tab groups, which can be very helpful for more complex browsing.

If browser shortcuts are new to you, check this collection of other things you can do in Google Chrome.

Tyler Lacoma
Former Digital Trends Contributor
If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not…
How to clear cache on your Mac or MacBook
MacOs Big Sur

Are websites loading slowly or not operating properly on your MacBook? Is your machine sluggish when it tries to load anything? Are those Facebook ads getting a bit too creepy? It’s probably time to delete your cache files.

Wiping your cache and deleting cookies is a great way to improve performance in even the best web browsers and clear some space on your hard drive. Wiping browser data is pretty simple, but deleting cache for apps and the system itself is a bit more involved.

Read more
The best browser for Mac in 2025
Someone using a MacBook Pro at a desk.

If you're looking to get the best web browser for your Mac, there are a few things you need to look out for. A speedy experience is a must, as is a user interface that's easy to navigate. You probably want one that is stable, protects your privacy and has strong defenses to keep you safe and secure. And having access to a large range of excellent extensions can't hurt either.

That might sound like a lot, and given the huge range of web browsers available on macOS, it can sometimes feel bewildering. But don't worry, as we've combed through the best web browsers macOS has to offer and picked our favorites. Before long, you'll know exactly what you should be going for based on your needs and situation.

Read more
10 browser extensions to help maximize your productivity
microsoft surface laptop 4 vs 3 urface peroftability

If you're looking for a way to boost your productivity, cut out distractions, and get more stuff done during the workday, we've got just the ticket. For this article, we've handpicked a selection of browser extensions that can significantly increase your productivity if used correctly.

To make things easier, we've also included a link to each extension's download page, so you can immediately install them on any Chromium-based browser, like Google Chrome or Brave. Many of the extensions in this list are are also available for the best web browsers, but Chrome users can rest assured that everything below is definitely compatible with your browser.
Todoist

Read more