Free AutoCAD cheat sheet

276 AutoCAD shortcuts, one page.

276 default keyboard shortcuts and command aliases for AutoCAD 2024, straight from Autodesk’s own shortcuts guide: the one key shortcuts, the Ctrl and function key toggles, and the typed aliases from A to Z, all searchable in one field. The whole list is right here, free to read and print. Want your own copy to keep? Download it below.

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By Camila BruggerFounder and CEO

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Showing 276 of 276 shortcuts

One key shortcuts

22 shortcuts

Type the key at the Command prompt, then press Enter. Autodesk puts these 22 on a page of their own at the front of its guide, and 21 of them come back in the A to Z list below. The 276 at the top of this page counts each shortcut once.

One key shortcuts
Key	Command and what it does
`Q`	QSAVESaves the current drawing.
`A`	ARCCreates an arc.
`Z`	ZOOMIncreases or decreases the magnification of the view in the current viewport.
`W`	WBLOCKWrites objects or a block to a new drawing file.
`S`	STRETCHStretches objects crossed by a selection window or polygon.
`X`	EXPLODEBreaks a compound object into its component objects.
`E`	ERASERemoves objects from a drawing.
`D`	DIMSTYLECreates and modifies dimension styles.
`C`	CIRCLECreates a circle.
`R`	REDRAWRefreshes the display in the current viewport.
`F`	FILLETRounds and fillets the edges of objects.
`V`	VIEWSaves and restores named views, camera views, layout views, and preset views.
`T`	MTEXTCreates a multiline text object.
`G`	GROUPCreates and manages saved sets of objects called groups.
`B`	BLOCKCreates a block definition from selected objects.
`H`	HATCHFills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern, solid fill, or gradient fill.
`J`	JOINJoins similar objects to form a single, unbroken object.
`M`	MOVEMoves objects a specified distance in a specified direction.
`I`	INSERTInserts a block or drawing into the current drawing.
`O`	OFFSETCreates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves.
`L`	LINECreates straight line segments.
`P`	PANDescription left out: Autodesk’s guide prints another command’s text here. Read the note.

Toggles and screen management

48 shortcuts

Key combinations and function keys: press them, there is nothing to type. For these, Autodesk publishes the keys and the action only, so that is what each row shows.

Toggle general features

8 shortcuts

Toggles and screen management: Toggle general features
Keys	What it does
`Ctrl+d`	Toggle coordinate display
`Ctrl+g`	Toggle Grid
`Ctrl+e`	Cycle isometric planes
`Ctrl+f`	Toggle running object snaps
`Ctrl+h`	Toggle Pick Style
`Ctrl+Shift+h`	Toggle Hide pallets
`Ctrl+i`	Toggle Coords
`Ctrl+Shift+i`	Toggle Infer Constraints

Toggle drawing modes

12 shortcuts

Toggles and screen management: Toggle drawing modes
Keys	What it does
`F1`	Display Help
`F2`	Toggle text screen
`F3`	Toggle object snap mode
`F4`	Toggle 3DOsnap
`F5`	Toggle Isoplane
`F6`	Toggle Dynamic UCS
`F7`	Toggle grid mode
`F8`	Toggle ortho mode
`F9`	Toggle snap mode
`F10`	Toggle polar mode
`F11`	Toggle object snap tracking
`F12`	Toggle dynamic input mode

Manage screen

9 shortcuts

Toggles and screen management: Manage screen
Keys	What it does
`Ctrl+0 (zero)`	Clean Screen
`Ctrl+1`	Property Palette
`Ctrl+2`	Design Center Palette
`Ctrl+3`	Tool Palette
`Ctrl+4`	Sheet Set Palette
`Ctrl+6`	DBConnect Manager
`Ctrl+7`	Markup Set Manager Palette
`Ctrl+8`	Quick Calc
`Ctrl+9`	Command Line

Manage workflow

9 shortcuts

Toggles and screen management: Manage workflow
Keys	What it does
`Ctrl+c`	Copy object
`Ctrl+x`	Cut object
`Ctrl+v`	Paste object
`Ctrl+Shift+c`	Copy to clipboard with base point
`Ctrl+Shift+v`	Paste data as block
`Ctrl+z`	Undo last action
`Ctrl+y`	Redo last action
`Ctrl+[`	Cancel current command (or ctrl+\)
`ESC`	Cancel current command

Manage drawings

10 shortcuts

Toggles and screen management: Manage drawings
Keys	What it does
`Ctrl+n`	New Drawing
`Ctrl+s`	Save drawing
`Ctrl+o`	Open drawing
`Ctrl+p`	Plot dialog box
`Ctrl+Tab`	Switch to next
`Ctrl+Shift+Tab`	Switch to previous drawing
`Ctrl+Page Up`	Switch to previous tab in current drawing
`Ctrl+Page Down`	Switch to next tab in current drawing
`Ctrl+q`	Exit
`Ctrl+a`	Select all objects

Command aliases A to Z

227 shortcuts

Type the alias at the Command prompt instead of the full command name. The letters follow the way Autodesk’s guide groups them, and every description is the guide’s own.

Letter A

15 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter A
Alias	Command and what it does
`A`	ARCCreates an arc.
`AA`	AREACalculates the area and perimeter of objects or of defined areas.
`ADC`	ADCENTERManages and inserts content such as blocks, xrefs, and hatch patterns.
`AIOPEN`	ACTIVITYINSIGHTSOPENOpens the Activity Insights palette to view past actions that you or others have performed in your drawings.
`AICLOSE`	ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSECloses the Activity Insights palette
`AL`	ALIGNAligns objects with other objects in 2D and 3D.
`AP`	APPLOADLoad Application.
`AR`	ARRAYCreates multiple copies of objects in a pattern.
`ARR`	ACTRECORDStarts the Action Recorder.
`ARM`	ACTUSERMESSAGEInserts a user message into an action macro.
`ARU`	ACTUSERINPUTPauses for user input in an action macro.
`ARS`	ACTSTOPStops the Action Recorder and provides the option of saving the recorded actions to an action macro file.
`ATI`	ATTIPEDITChanges the textual content of an attribute within a block.
`ATT`	ATTDEFDescription left out: Autodesk’s guide prints another command’s text here. Read the note.
`ATE`	ATTEDITChanges attribute information in a block.

Letter B

8 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter B
Alias	Command and what it does
`B`	BLOCKCreates a block definition from selected objects.
`BC`	BCLOSECloses the Block Editor.
`BE`	BEDITOpens the block definition in the Block Editor.
`BH`	HATCHFills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern, solid fill, or gradient fill.
`BO`	BOUNDARYCreates a region or a polyline from an enclosed area.
`BR`	BREAKBreaks the selected object between two points.
`BS`	BSAVESaves the current block definition.
`BVS`	BVSTATECreates, sets, or deletes a visibility state in a dynamic block.

Letter C

12 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter C
Alias	Command and what it does
`C`	CIRCLECreates a circle.
`CAM`	CAMERASets a camera and target location to create and save a 3D perspective view of objects.
`CBAR`	CONSTRAINTBARA toolbar-like UI element that displays the available geometric constraints on an object.
`CH`	PROPERTIESControls properties of existing objects.
`CHA`	CHAMFERBevels the edges of objects.
`CHK`	CHECKSTANDARDSChecks the current drawing for standards violations.
`CLI`	COMMANDLINEDisplays the Command Line window.
`COL`	COLORSets the color for new objects.
`CO`	COPYCopies objects a specified distance in a specified direction.
`CT`	CTABLESTYLESets the name of the current table style.
`CUBE`	NAVVCUBEControls the visibility and display properties of the ViewCube tool.
`CYL`	CYLINDERCreates a 3D solid cylinder.

Letter D

28 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter D
Alias	Command and what it does
`D`	DIMSTYLECreates and modifies dimension styles.
`DAN`	DIMANGULARCreates an angular dimension.
`DAR`	DIMARCCreates an arc length dimension.
`DBA`	DIMBASELINECreates a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from the baseline of the previous or selected dimension.
`DBC`	DBCONNECTProvides an interface to external database tables.
`DCE`	DIMCENTERCreates the center mark or the centerlines of circles and arcs.
`DCO`	DIMCONTINUECreates a dimension that starts from an extension line of a previously created dimension.
`DCON`	DIMCONSTRAINTApplies dimensional constraints to selected objects or points on objects.
`DDA`	DIMDISASSOCIATERemoves associativity from selected dimensions.
`DDI`	DIMDIAMETERCreates a diameter dimension for a circle or an arc.
`DED`	DIMEDITEdits dimension text and extension lines.
`DI`	DISTMeasures the distance and angle between two points.
`DIV`	DIVIDECreates evenly spaced point objects or blocks along the length or perimeter of an object.
`DJL`	DIMJOGLINEAdds or removes a jog line on a linear or aligned dimension.
`DJO`	DIMJOGGEDCreates jogged dimensions for circles and arcs.
`DL`	DATALINKThe Data Link dialog box is displayed.
`DLU`	DATALINKUPDATEUpdates data to or from an established external data link.
`DO`	DONUTCreates a filled circle or a wide ring.
`DOR`	DIMORDINATECreates ordinate dimensions.
`DOV`	DIMOVERRIDEControls overrides of system variables used in selected dimensions.
`DR`	DRAWORDERChanges the draw order of images and other objects.
`DRA`	DIMRADIUSCreates a radius dimension for a circle or an arc.
`DRE`	DIMREASSOCIATEAssociates or re-associates selected dimensions to objects or points on objects.
`DRM`	DRAWINGRECOVERYDisplays a list of drawing files that can be recovered after a program or system failure.
`DS`	DSETTINGSSets grid and snap, polar and object snap tracking, object snap modes, Dynamic Input, and Quick Properties.
`DT`	TEXTCreates a single-line text object.
`DV`	DVIEWDefines parallel projection or perspective views by using a camera and target.
`DX`	DATAEXTRACTIONExtracts drawing data and merges data from an external source to a data extraction table or external file.

Letters E and F

13 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letters E and F
Alias	Command and what it does
`E`	ERASERemoves objects from a drawing.
`ED`	DDEDITEdits single-line text, dimension text, attribute definitions, and feature control frames.
`EL`	ELLIPSECreates an ellipse or an elliptical arc.
`EPDF`	EXPORTPDFExports drawing to PDF.
`ER`	EXTERNALREFERENCESOpens the External References palette.
`EX`	EXTENDExtends objects to meet the edges of other objects.
`EXIT`	QUITExits the program.
`EXP`	EXPORTSaves the objects in a drawing to a different file format.
`EXT`	EXTRUDEExtends the dimensions of a 2D object or 3D face into 3D space.
`F`	FILLETRounds and fillets the edges of objects.
`FI`	FILTERCreates a list of requirements that an object must meet to be included in a selection set.
`FS`	FSMODECreates a selection set of all objects that touch the selected object.
`FSHOT`	FLATSHOTCreates a 2D representation of all 3D objects based on the current view.

Letters G and H

7 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letters G and H
Alias	Command and what it does
`G`	GROUPCreates and manages saved sets of objects called groups.
`GCON`	GEOCONSTRAINTApplies or persists geometric relationships between objects or points on objects.
`GD`	GRADIENTFills an enclosed area or selected objects with a gradient fill.
`GEO`	GEOGRAPHICLOCATIONSpecifies the geographic location information for a drawing file.
`H`	HATCHFills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern, solid fill, or gradient fill.
`HE`	HATCHEDITModifies an existing hatch or fill.
`HI`	HIDERegenerates a 3D wireframe model with hidden lines suppressed.

Letters I to K

12 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letters I to K
Alias	Command and what it does
`I`	INSERTInserts a block or drawing into the current drawing.
`IAD`	IMAGEADJUSTControls the image display of the brightness, contrast, and fade values of images.
`IAT`	IMAGEATTACHInserts a reference to an image file.
`ICL`	IMAGECLIPCrops the display of a selected image to a specified boundary.
`ID`	IDDisplays the UCS coordinate values of a specified location.
`IM`	IMAGEDisplays the External References palette.
`IMP`	IMPORTImports files of different formats into the current drawing.
`IN`	INTERSECTCreates a 3D solid, surface, or 2D region from overlapping solids, surfaces, or regions.
`INF`	INTERFERECreates a temporary 3D solid from the interferences between two sets of selected 3D solids.
`IO`	INSERTOBJInserts a linked or embedded object.
`J`	JOINJoins similar objects to form a single, unbroken object.
`JOG`	DIMJOGGEDCreates jogged dimensions for circles and arcs.

Letters L and M

29 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letters L and M
Alias	Command and what it does
`L`	LINECreates straight line segments.
`LA`	LAYERManages layers and layer properties.
`LAS`	LAYERSTATESaves, restores, and manages named layer states.
`LE`	QLEADERCreates a leader and leader annotation.
`LEN`	LENGTHENChanges the length of objects and the included angle of arcs.
`LESS`	MESHSMOOTHLESSDecreases the level of smoothness for mesh objects by one level.
`LI`	LISTDisplays property data for selected objects.
`LO`	LAYOUTCreates and modifies drawing layout tabs.
`LT`	LINETYPELoads, sets, and modifies linetypes.
`LTS`	LTSCALEChanges the scale factor of linetypes for all objects in a drawing.
`LW`	LWEIGHTSets the current lineweight, lineweight display options, and lineweight units.
`M`	MOVEMoves objects a specified distance in a specified direction.
`MA`	MATCHPROPApplies the properties of a selected object to other objects.
`MAT`	MATERIALSShows or hides the Materials window.
`ME`	MEASURECreates point objects or blocks at measured intervals along the length or perimeter of an object.
`MEA`	MEASUREGEOMMeasures the distance, radius, angle, area, and volume of selected objects or sequence of points.
`MI`	MIRRORCreates a mirrored copy of selected objects.
`ML`	MLINECreates multiple parallel lines.
`MLA`	MLEADERALIGNAligns and spaces selected multileader objects.
`MLC`	MLEADERCOLLECTOrganizes selected multileaders that contain blocks into rows or columns, and displays the result with a single leader.
`MLD`	MLEADERCreates a multileader object.
`MLE`	MLEADEREDITAdds leader lines to, or removes leader lines from, a multileader object.
`MLS`	MLEADERSTYLECreates and modifies multileader styles.
`MO`	PROPERTIESControls properties of existing objects.
`MORE`	MESHSMOOTHMOREIncreases the level of smoothness for mesh objects by one level.
`MS`	MSPACESwitches from paper space to a model space viewport.
`MSM`	MARKUPOpens the Markup Set Manager.
`MT`	MTEXTCreates a multiline text object.
`MV`	MVIEWCreates and controls layout viewports.

Letters N and O

7 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letters N and O
Alias	Command and what it does
`NORTH`	GEOGRAPHICLOCATIONSpecifies the geographic location information for a drawing file.
`NSHOT`	NEWSHOTCreates a named view with motion that is played back when viewed with ShowMotion.
`NVIEW`	NEWVIEWCreates a named view with no motion.
`O`	OFFSETCreates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves.
`OP`	OPTIONSCustomizes the program settings.
`ORBIT`	3DORBITRotates the view in 3D space, but constrained to horizontal and vertical orbit only.
`OS`	OSNAPSets running object snap modes.

Letter P

21 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter P
Alias	Command and what it does
`P`	PANDescription left out: Autodesk’s guide prints another command’s text here. Read the note.
`PA`	PASTESPECPastes objects from the Clipboard into the current drawing and controls the format of the data.
`PAR`	PARAMETERSControls the associative parameters used in the drawing.
`PARAM`	BPARAMETERAdds a parameter with grips to a dynamic block definition.
`PATCH`	SURFPATCHCreates a new surface by fitting a cap over a surface edge that forms a closed loop.
`PC`	POINTCLOUDProvides options to create and attach point cloud files.
`PCATTACH`	POINTCLOUDATTACHInserts an indexed point cloud file into the current drawing.
`PCINDEX`	POINTCLOUDINDEXCreates an indexed point cloud (PCG or ISD) file from a scan file.
`PE`	PEDITEdits polylines and 3D polygon meshes.
`PL`	PLINECreates a 2D polyline.
`PO`	POINTCreates a point object.
`POFF`	HIDEPALETTESHides currently displayed palettes (including the command line).
`POL`	POLYGONCreates an equilateral closed polyline.
`PON`	SHOWPALETTESRestores the display of hidden palettes.
`PR`	PROPERTIESDisplays Properties palette.
`PRE`	PREVIEWDisplays the drawing as it will be plotted.
`PRINT`	PLOTPlots a drawing to a plotter, printer, or file.
`PS`	PSPACESwitches from a model space viewport to paper space.
`PSOLID`	POLYSOLIDCreates a 3D wall-like polysolid.
`PU`	PURGERemoves unused items, such as block definitions and layers, from the drawing.
`PYR`	PYRAMIDCreates a 3D solid pyramid.

Letter Q

8 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter Q
Alias	Command and what it does
`QC`	QUICKCALCOpens the QuickCalc calculator.
`QCUI`	QUICKCUIDisplays the Customize User Interface Editor in a collapsed state.
`QP`	QUICKPROPERTIESDescription left out: Autodesk’s guide prints another command’s text here. Read the note.
`QSAVE`	QSAVESaves the current drawing.
`QVD`	QVDRAWINGDisplays open drawings and layouts in a drawing using preview images.
`QVDC`	QVDRAWINGCLOSECloses preview images of open drawings and layouts in a drawing.
`QVL`	QVLAYOUTDisplays preview images of model space and layouts in a drawing.
`QVLC`	QVLAYOUTCLOSECloses preview images of model space and layouts in the current drawing.

Letter R

14 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter R
Alias	Command and what it does
`R`	REDRAWRefreshes the display in the current viewport.
`RA`	REDRAWALLRefreshes the display in all viewports.
`RC`	RENDERCROPRenders a specified rectangular area, called a crop window, within a viewport.
`RE`	REGENRegenerates the entire drawing from the current viewport.
`REA`	REGENALLRegenerates the drawing and refreshes all viewports.
`REC`	RECTANGCreates a rectangular polyline.
`REG`	REGIONConverts an object that encloses an area into a region object.
`REN`	RENAMEChanges the names assigned to items such as layers and dimension styles.
`REV`	REVOLVECreates a 3D solid or surface by sweeping a 2D object around an axis.
`RO`	ROTATERotates objects around a base point.
`RP`	RENDERPRESETSSpecifies render presets, reusable rendering parameters, for rendering an image.
`RPR`	RPREFDisplays or hides the Advanced Render Settings palette for access to advanced rendering settings.
`RR`	RENDERCreates a photorealistic or realistically shaded image of a 3D solid or surface model.
`RW`	RENDERWINDisplays the Render window without starting a rendering operation.

Letter S

19 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter S
Alias	Command and what it does
`S`	STRETCHStretches objects crossed by a selection window or polygon.
`SC`	SCALEEnlarges or reduces selected objects, keeping the proportions of the object the same after scaling.
`SCR`	SCRIPTExecutes a sequence of commands from a script file.
`SEC`	SECTIONUses the intersection of a plane and solids, surfaces, or mesh to create a region.
`SET`	SETVARLists or changes the values of system variables.
`SHA`	SHADEMODEStarts the VSCURRENT command.
`SL`	SLICECreates new 3D solids and surfaces by slicing, or dividing, existing objects.
`SN`	SNAPRestricts cursor movement to specified intervals.
`SO`	SOLIDCreates solid-filled triangles and quadrilaterals.
`SP`	SPELLChecks spelling in a drawing.
`SPE`	SPLINEDITEdits a spline or spline-fit polyline.
`SPL`	SPLINECreates a smooth curve that passes through or near specified points.
`SPLANE`	SECTIONPLANECreates a section object that acts as a cutting plane through 3D objects.
`SPLAY`	SEQUENCEPLAYPlays named views in one category.
`SPLIT`	MESHSPLITSplits a mesh face into two faces.
`SSM`	SHEETSETOpens the Sheet Set Manager.
`ST`	STYLECreates, modifies, or specifies text styles.
`STA`	STANDARDSManages the association of standards files with drawings.
`SU`	SUBTRACTCombines selected 3D solids, surfaces, or 2D regions by subtraction.

Letter T

12 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letter T
Alias	Command and what it does
`T`	MTEXTCreates a multiline text object.
`TA`	TEXTALIGNAligns multiple text objects vertically, horizontally, or obliquely.
`TB`	TABLECreates an empty table object.
`TEDIT`	TEXTEDITEdits a dimensional constraint, dimension, or text object.
`TH`	THICKNESSSets the default 3D thickness property when creating 2D geometric objects.
`TI`	TILEMODEControls whether paper space can be accessed.
`TO`	TOOLBARDisplays, hides, and customizes toolbars.
`TOL`	TOLERANCECreates geometric tolerances contained in a feature control frame.
`TOR`	TORUSCreates a donut-shaped 3D solid.
`TP`	TOOLPALETTESOpens the Tool Palettes window.
`TR`	TRIMTrims objects to meet the edges of other objects.
`TS`	TABLESTYLECreates, modifies, or specifies table styles.

Letters U to W

13 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letters U to W
Alias	Command and what it does
`UC`	UCSMANManages defined user coordinate systems.
`UN`	UNITSControls coordinate and angle display formats and precision.
`UNHIDEUNISOLATE`	UNISOLATEOBJECTSDisplays objects previously hidden with the ISOLATEOBJECTS or HIDEOBJECTS command.
`UNI`	UNIONUnions two solid or two region objects.
`V`	VIEWSaves and restores named views, camera views, layout views, and preset views.
`VGO`	VIEWGORestores a named view.
`VP`	DDVPOINTSets the 3D viewing direction.
`VPLAY`	VIEWPLAYPlays the animation associated to a named view.
`VS`	VSCURRENTSets the visual style in the current viewport.
`VSM`	VISUALSTYLESCreates and modifies visual styles and applies a visual style to a viewport.
`W`	WBLOCKWrites objects or a block to a new drawing file.
`WE`	WEDGECreates a 3D solid wedge.
`WHEEL`	NAVSWHEELDisplays a wheel that contains a collection of view navigation tools.

Letters X to Z

9 shortcuts

Command aliases A to Z: Letters X to Z
Alias	Command and what it does
`X`	EXPLODEBreaks a compound object into its component objects.
`XA`	XATTACHInserts a DWG file as an external reference (xref).
`XB`	XBINDBinds one or more definitions of named objects in an xref to the current drawing.
`XC`	XCLIPCrops the display of a selected external reference or block reference to a specified boundary.
`XL`	XLINECreates a line of infinite length.
`XR`	XREFStarts the EXTERNALREFERENCES command.
`Z`	ZOOMIncreases or decreases the magnification of the view in the current viewport.
`ZEBRA`	ANALYSISZEBRAProjects stripes onto a 3D model to analyze surface continuity.
`ZIP`	ETRANSMITCreates a Self-Extracting or Zipped Transmittal Package.

Where this list comes from

Every row on this page comes from Autodesk’s AutoCAD 2024 Shortcuts Guide (PDF), the file Autodesk links from its AutoCAD shortcuts page, retrieved on September 23, 2026. The keys, the command names and the descriptions are Autodesk’s, copied and not reworded, and the grouping is the guide’s own. We have not checked the list against other releases of AutoCAD or against AutoCAD LT.

How we counted

The guide prints 298 rows. Its page of one key shortcuts repeats 21 aliases that appear again in the A to Z list, and it prints SPE (SPLINEDIT) twice in the same letter. We keep the one key page as Autodesk laid it out, show that duplicate once and count every shortcut a single time: 276.

Descriptions we left out

In three places the guide gives an alias the description of a different command: the text for P (PAN) describes BPARAMETER, QP (QUICKPROPERTIES) describes QVDRAWING and ATT (ATTDEF) describes ATTREDEF. Rather than publish a description we know is wrong, those rows show the alias and the command only. Autodesk’s own command reference describes them correctly: PAN (Command), QUICKPROPERTIES (Command) and Commands for Block Attributes.

One reading we could not confirm

The guide prints AIOPEN and AICLOSE (the Activity Insights palette) split across two lines of a narrow column, and we read each as a single alias. Autodesk’s command reference for Activity Insights does not list aliases, so we could not check them against a second source.

Work in Revit too? We keep the same kind of sheet for it: Revit keyboard shortcuts, searchable and free to print.

Autodesk and AutoCAD are trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. WorldTeams is not affiliated with Autodesk.

How to create your own aliases

AutoCAD reads its command aliases from a plain text file, the program parameters file acad.pgp, and you can add your own lines to it. Autodesk’s own example of an alias is L, which starts the LINE command.

On Windows

Open the file: Manage tab > Customization panel > Edit Aliases. You can also type ai_editcustfile at the Command prompt, press Enter, then type acad.pgp.
Scroll to the bottom and add your alias under the User Defined Command Aliases section, one per line: the alias, a comma, then an asterisk and the command name. The asterisk is what marks the line as an alias.
```
abbreviation,*command
```
Save the file.
Type REINIT, check PGP file in the Re-initialization dialog box and click OK. Then try the new alias and adjust the file if needed.

Prefer a dialog to a text file? The Alias Editor (ALIASEDIT, part of Express Tools) edits the same file.

On a Mac

Go to Tools menu > Customize > Edit Command Aliases (PGP). The dialog lets you add, edit and remove aliases, and saves your changes to acaduser.pgp.

Before you upgrade

Autodesk advises against copying last release’s PGP file into a new one: you would lose the aliases added in the new version. Bring your own aliases across with the Migrate Custom Settings utility, or copy just your lines into the new file.

From Autodesk’s AutoCAD 2024 help: About Command Aliases, About Creating Command Aliases and To Manage Command Aliases.

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Questions, answered

How many AutoCAD shortcuts are on this sheet?

276 distinct keyboard shortcuts and command aliases for AutoCAD 2024, taken from Autodesk's own shortcuts guide. The guide prints 298 rows, but 21 of its one key shortcuts appear again in its A to Z list and one alias is printed twice, so here each shortcut counts once. They come in three parts: one key shortcuts, toggles and screen keys, and command aliases from A to Z.

Ask AI

What is the difference between a keyboard shortcut and a command alias in AutoCAD?

A command alias is a shortened command name you type at the Command prompt instead of the full name. Autodesk's own example is L, which starts the LINE command. Aliases are stored in a plain text program parameters file, acad.pgp, so you can change them. The Ctrl and function key shortcuts on this sheet work differently: you press the combination and the action runs, with nothing to type.

Ask AI

How do I create my own command alias in AutoCAD?

On Windows, open acad.pgp from the Manage tab, Customization panel, Edit Aliases. At the bottom, under User Defined Command Aliases, add a line with your alias, a comma, and the command name with an asterisk in front of it. Save the file, type REINIT, check PGP file and click OK. On a Mac, use Tools, Customize, Edit Command Aliases (PGP) instead.

Ask AI

Do these shortcuts work in other versions of AutoCAD or in AutoCAD LT?

This sheet is Autodesk's guide for AutoCAD 2024 and we have not checked it against another release or against AutoCAD LT, so we will not claim it matches. AutoCAD LT keeps its aliases in its own file, acadlt.pgp, and any firm can edit its aliases. Take this as a strong starting point, and for what changed in the next release see our roundup of AutoCAD 2025 enhancements.

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Is there an AutoCAD commands list as a PDF?

Yes. Autodesk publishes the AutoCAD 2024 Shortcuts Guide as a PDF, and it is linked on this page. The same shortcuts are here, searchable in one field. To keep a copy, press Ctrl+P, or Cmd+P on a Mac, and save it as a PDF: the page prints as clean tables without the navigation, the search box or the calls to action. Download the cheat sheet does the same after four fields.

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Why do some rows on this sheet have no description?

Two reasons. Autodesk publishes only the action for the Ctrl and function key shortcuts, so those rows show just that. And in three places Autodesk's guide gives an alias the description of a different command: P (PAN), QP (QUICKPROPERTIES) and ATT (ATTDEF). Rather than publish text we know is wrong, those rows show the alias and the command only, and the source note on this page links to Autodesk's reference for each.

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Sources: Autodesk, AutoCAD 2024 Shortcuts Guide (PDF); AutoCAD 2024 Help: About Command Aliases; About Creating Command Aliases; To Manage Command Aliases; PAN (Command); QUICKPROPERTIES (Command); Commands for Block Attributes; Commands for Activity Insights.

Last updated September 23, 2026.