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Screen Reader Keyboard Shortcuts and Gestures

A practical quick-reference for keyboard and gesture testing across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Use this alongside manual testing when reviewing headings, landmarks, links, forms, tables, and focus behavior.

Source: organized from Deque University's screen reader keyboard shortcut and gesture guides. For exhaustive, printer-friendly, and version-specific details, use the full guide links inside each section.

Windows

Use these when testing Chrome, Edge, Firefox, forms, headings, landmarks, links, and tables on Windows.

JAWS

Best testing pairing: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Internet Explorer

Full guide
TaskShortcut / gesture
Stop readingControl
Start continuous readingInsert + Down Arrow
Next focusable itemTab
Activate link or buttonEnter / Space
Next headingH
Heading level 1-61-6
Headings listInsert + F6
Next landmarkR
Main regionQ
Elements listInsert + F3
Links listInsert + F7
Next tableT
Table cell movementCtrl + Alt + Arrow Keys
Next form fieldF
List form controlsInsert + F5
Forms mode on/offEnter / Numpad Plus

NVDA

Best testing pairing: Firefox, Chrome, and Edge

Full guide
TaskShortcut / gesture
Turn NVDA onControl + Alt + N
Turn NVDA offInsert + Q
Stop readingControl
Start continuous readingInsert + Down Arrow
Toggle browse/focus modeInsert + Space
Next focusable itemTab
Activate link or buttonEnter / Space
Next headingH
Heading level 1-61-6
Elements listInsert + F7
Next landmarkD
Next linkK
Next tableT
Table cell movementControl + Alt + Arrow Keys
Next listL
Next graphicG

Narrator

Best testing pairing: Microsoft Edge

Full guide
TaskShortcut / gesture
Turn Narrator on/offWindows + Control + Enter
Stop readingControl
Start continuous readingCaps Lock + Down Arrow
Toggle scan modeCaps Lock + Space
Read next itemCaps Lock + Right Arrow
Current itemCaps Lock + Tab
Activate link or buttonCaps Lock + Enter
Next headingH
Heading level 1-61-6
Headings listCaps Lock + F6
Next landmarkD
Main contentCaps Lock + N
Links listCaps Lock + F7
Next tableT
Table cell movementCtrl + Alt + Arrow Keys
Change viewCaps Lock + Page Up / Page Down

macOS

VoiceOver is built into macOS and is most consistent with Safari.

VoiceOver on Mac

Best testing pairing: Safari

Full guide
TaskShortcut / gesture
Start or stop VoiceOverCommand + F5
VoiceOver modifierControl + Option
Lock VO keysVO + ;
Repeat last phraseVO + Z
Open rotorVO + U
Start readingVO + A
Pause/resume readingControl
Next/previous itemVO + Right / Left Arrow
Activate controlVO + Space
Next linkVO + Command + L
Next headingVO + Command + H
Next form elementVO + Command + J
Next tableVO + Command + T
Next listVO + Command + X
Table cell movementVO + Arrow Keys
Interact in/out of objectsVO + Shift + Down / Up Arrow

Android

TalkBack gestures vary by Android version and device. Chrome is the recommended browser for current Android versions.

TalkBack

Best testing pairing: Chrome and Firefox

Full guide
TaskShortcut / gesture
Turn TalkBack on/offHold both volume buttons
Explore by touchDrag one finger
Next/previous itemSwipe right / left
Activate elementDouble-tap
Pause/resume readingTwo-finger tap
TalkBack menuSwipe down then right
Reading controlsSwipe up then down
Next headingHeadings control, swipe down
Next landmarkLandmarks control, swipe down
Next linkLinks control, swipe down
Table cellsSwipe left / right or explore by touch
Voice commandSwipe right then up

iOS

VoiceOver is built into iPhone and iPad. Use the rotor for headings, links, tables, form controls, and other navigation modes.

VoiceOver on iOS

Best testing pairing: Safari

Full guide
TaskShortcut / gesture
Turn VoiceOver on/offTriple-press Home or Side button
RotorTwo-finger twist
Next/previous itemSwipe right / left
Activate link or buttonDouble-tap
Pause/resume readingTwo-finger tap
Read from current pointTwo-finger swipe down
Read entire pageTwo-finger swipe up
Close/cancelTwo-finger scrub
Next headingRotor, swipe down
Next landmarkRotor, swipe down
Item chooserTwo-finger triple-tap
ScrollThree-finger swipe
First/last itemFour-finger tap upper/lower screen
Next form controlRotor, swipe down
Select checkbox/radioDouble-tap

Testing reminder

Screen reader shortcuts vary by version, keyboard layout, browser, device, and user settings. Treat this page as a quick-reference, not a replacement for testing with real assistive technology users and the full source documentation.