What Is the Fastest Way to Switch Tabs With Keyboard in Browsers and Apps?

[Rolf]

I want to improve productivity and avoid clicking tabs. What shortcuts help switch tabs with keyboard efficiently across Chrome, Edge, Safari, and apps?

 

[captainghost]

For most browsers, Ctrl + Tab moves forward and Ctrl + Shift + Tab moves backward. On Mac, it’s Command instead of Ctrl. Honestly, just mastering these two shortcuts already saves a lot of time compared to clicking.

 

[Emmawoods]

If you want speed, use Ctrl + 1–9 (Command + 1–9 on Mac). It jumps directly to a specific tab position. This is the fastest way to switch tabs with keyboard when you know roughly where the tab is.

 

[Lisa]

Once you stop using the mouse for tabs, you’ll feel physically offended when you have to click one again. Keyboard tab switching is a slippery slope into becoming “that productivity guy.”

 

[Lugwig]

Mouse users be like: “Why switch tabs fast when I can slowly aim my cursor like it’s a sniper rifle?”

 

[Ghausmakin]

I didn’t even know Ctrl + Tab was a thing until recently. After a week, clicking tabs feels weird. It’s surprising how much smoother everything feels.

 

[megamind]

In Chrome and Edge, Ctrl + Tab switches tabs in most-recently-used order if you enable it in settings. That’s huge for multitasking because it works like Alt + Tab for apps.

 

[jimmy]

I just use Ctrl + Tab all day. Nothing fancy. Simple muscle memory beats overthinking shortcuts.

 

[rebeccareed]

On Safari, Command + Shift + [ or ] is underrated. Once you get used to brackets, switching tabs with keyboard becomes second nature.

 

[ethancarter]

People say shortcuts don’t matter, but they add up. Saving even half a second per tab switch actually matters if you’re working all day.

 

[jameswill8520]

Learn Ctrl/Command + Tab and Ctrl/Command + 1–9. That’s 90% of what you need. Everything else is optional.