Arc Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac: The Essential Guide

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Arc for Mac uses keyboard shortcuts to switch tabs, move between Spaces, search the web, and control the browser without reaching for the mouse. The most useful starting points are Command-T for a new tab, Command-L to focus the address bar, and Command-Option-Left or Right to move between Spaces; check Arc’s shortcut settings for the exact bindings on your installation.

How Arc shortcuts work

Arc’s shortcuts combine familiar macOS conventions with commands for its own interface. For example, Command-L focuses the address bar, while Arc-specific commands help you navigate its sidebar, tabs, and Spaces. A shortcut may behave differently depending on whether a text field is active, which Space is selected, or whether a page has captured a key press.

In the shortcut notation below, “Command” means the ⌘ key, “Option” means ⌥, “Shift” means ⇧, and “Control” means ⌃. The plus sign means to hold the listed keys together. On many Mac keyboards, the key names are printed as symbols, so ⌘-T is the same as Command-T.

Arc’s interface and shortcut assignments can change between releases, and users can customize some bindings. Treat the examples as common defaults rather than a guarantee that every installation has the same configuration. Arc’s built-in keyboard-shortcut reference is the reliable place to confirm the current command and its assigned keys.

Useful Arc shortcuts to learn first

These common commands cover everyday browser tasks. If a listed combination does not work, look it up in Arc’s shortcut settings before assuming the feature is unavailable.

Command-T: Open a new tab.
Command-L: Focus the address bar so you can enter a URL or search.
Command-W: Close the active tab or window, depending on what is open.
Command-Shift-T: Reopen the most recently closed tab, where supported by the current shortcut configuration.
Command-Option-Left / Command-Option-Right: Move to the previous or next Space in common Arc configurations.
Command-Shift-C: Copy the current page’s URL in common configurations.
Command-Shift-\: Show or hide the sidebar in common configurations. The backslash key’s physical position can vary by keyboard layout.

These are examples, not a complete inventory. Arc also has keyboard-driven commands for actions such as opening the command bar, navigating tabs, and managing browser windows. Search the shortcut reference by the action’s name if you know what you want to do but not its key combination.

Find the complete shortcut list

To see the bindings available in your version of Arc, open Arc’s settings and look for the keyboard-shortcut controls or shortcut reference. The location and wording may change as the app is updated. You can also use Arc’s command bar to search for an action such as “keyboard shortcuts” or “settings”; this is often faster than browsing menus.

Open Arc and bring up its command bar using the currently assigned shortcut, or find the command through the app’s menus.
Search for keyboard shortcuts or the specific action you want to perform.
Read the displayed key combination, then try it in a normal browser window.
If the shortcut is editable, change it only after checking that the new combination does not conflict with a macOS or another app’s shortcut.

If you cannot find a shortcut reference in the expected place, use Arc’s Help menu or current in-app documentation. Do not rely on an old shortcut list as definitive: app updates, custom settings, and keyboard layouts can all affect what you see.

Spaces, tabs, and the sidebar

Arc’s organization makes some keyboard commands different from those in browsers that present every tab in a single horizontal strip. Arc groups browsing into Spaces and displays tabs in its sidebar, so a “next” or “previous” command may refer to a tab, a Space, or another part of the interface. Check the action’s label in the shortcut list instead of guessing from the key combination.

For example, if you have separate Spaces for work and personal browsing, a Space-navigation shortcut can move between those groups. That does not necessarily move to the next tab in the current Space. Likewise, closing a tab with Command-W is not the same as closing an entire Arc window; verify which window or sidebar item is active before using a close command.

Keyboard focus matters as well. When the address bar or a form field is active, a keystroke may be inserted as text rather than interpreted as a browser command. Click the page or press Escape to leave an input field, then try the shortcut again.

Customize shortcuts and resolve conflicts

If Arc lets you assign a different key combination to a command, choose one that is easy to remember and unlikely to be used by another app. A shortcut can appear not to work because macOS, an extension, a webpage, or another utility has claimed the same combination. Shortcuts involving Command are generally easier to distinguish from ordinary typing, but they can still overlap with system or application commands.

Confirm the command’s current assignment in Arc rather than relying on memory.
Check whether the keyboard layout changes the symbol or position of a key, especially punctuation keys.
Test the shortcut in a standard page, not only in a text box or web app with its own keyboard controls.
Change one binding at a time so it is clear which adjustment solved the conflict.
If a binding stops working after an update, revisit the shortcut reference and confirm that the command still exists and remains assigned.

Some web apps deliberately use keys for actions such as editing, navigation, or playback. Arc cannot always override a page’s behavior in every context. If the same shortcut works elsewhere but not in one particular site, the site’s keyboard handling may be the cause.

Arc shortcuts compared with familiar Mac commands

Many common browser tasks use the same Mac conventions across applications: Command-T for a tab, Command-L for the address bar, and Command-W to close. Knowing these makes Arc easier to pick up. The main adjustment is learning commands tied to Arc’s Spaces, sidebar, and command bar, rather than expecting every browser’s tab-management shortcuts to map identically.

Arc also runs on macOS, so some shortcuts are governed by the operating system or the active application rather than Arc alone. If a system-level shortcut conflicts with a browser command, macOS settings or another installed application may be involved. Prefer Arc’s displayed binding as the reference for Arc actions, and consult the relevant system settings for system-wide behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut for a new tab in Arc on Mac?
Command-T is the commonly used shortcut. If it has been customized or does not work, confirm its assignment in Arc’s keyboard-shortcut reference.

How do I search or enter a website address with a keyboard?
Press Command-L to focus the address bar, type a search query or URL, and press Return.

How do I switch Spaces in Arc?
Command-Option-Left and Command-Option-Right are common Space-navigation bindings. Check Arc’s current shortcut list because assignments can vary.

Can I change Arc keyboard shortcuts?
Arc may provide controls to customize supported shortcuts. Look in its settings or shortcut reference; not every command is necessarily editable.

Why is an Arc shortcut not working?
It may have been changed, conflict with macOS or another app, be captured by a webpage, or be typed into an active text field. Check the assignment and test it outside the page’s input controls.

Does Arc use the same shortcuts as Safari or Chrome?
Many basic Mac browser shortcuts are shared, but Arc-specific commands for Spaces and its sidebar differ. Check each app’s own shortcut list rather than assuming every binding matches.

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