Keyboard shortcuts for Hangouts conversations
You can use the keyboard shortcuts while messaging in Hangouts.
Classic Hangouts is being replaced by Google Chat for everyone. You are no longer able to use classic Hangouts on most platforms. Learn about the switch from classic Hangouts to Google Chat.
Move between Hangout windows
| Shortcut |
Keyboard keys |
| Move to next Hangout window |
Ctrl + . |
| Move to previous Hangout window |
Ctrl + , |
| Close the current Hangout window |
Esc |
Format messages
Use the following keyboard shortcuts before you type a new message to add formatting.
| Shortcut |
Windows |
Mac |
| Bold |
Ctrl + b |
⌘ + b |
| Italicize |
Ctrl + i |
⌘ + i |
| Underline |
Ctrl + u |
⌘ + u |
The following shortcuts allow you to navigate quickly. The shortcuts work for Hangouts at
hangouts.google.com.
| Shortcut |
Keyboard keys |
| Focus on first element in the conversation list |
h then c |
| Go into phone mode (same as g then p) |
h then p |
| Open Hangouts Settings menu |
h then m |
| Go to Archived Hangouts and focus on first archived Hangout |
h then a |
| Go to Hangout Invites and focus on first invite |
h then i |
| Go to Hangouts search box (same as q) |
h then q |
