MOBA · PC

Dota 2 controls & keybinds

Dota 2's defaults put abilities on Q, W, E and R, items on the numpad-style cluster Z, X, C, V, B, N and courier actions on their own keys. Nearly every player enables quick cast and rebinds items, so treat these as the starting layout.

The keys people look up first

Dota 2 controls at a glance

Default bindings for the actions searched for most. The full lists, the settings that change how they feel and the printable layout are below.

Action	PC
Chat / voice	`Enter / Left Shift + Enter`
Scoreboard	`Tab`

LMBPing / alertRMBMove / attack-move targetMMBunboundM4unboundM5unboundScroll ↑unboundScroll ↓unbound

Highlighted keys carry a default action; hover or tap a key for every action bound to it.

Action	Default key
Movement
Move / attack-move target	`Mouse 2`
Attack (move)Press A then click, or A + click on a unit to attack it.	`A`
Stop	`S`
Hold position	`H`
Abilities
Ability 1 / 2 / 3	`Q / W / E`
Ability 4 / 5 (extra)Only heroes with extra abilities use them.	`D / F`
Ultimate	`R`
Level up ability	`Left Ctrl + Q / W / E / R`
Items
Item slots 1–6	`Z / X / C / V / B / N`
Neutral item slot	`0`
TP scroll slot	`T`
Courier
Courier: deliver items	`F3`
Courier: select	`F4`
Interface
Select heroDouble-tap to center the camera.	`F1`
Select all units	`F2`
Shop	`F5`
Scoreboard	`Tab`
Chat / all chat	`Enter / Left Shift + Enter`
Voice (push to talk)	`G`
Ping / alertAlt-click the minimap or an ability to alert allies.	`Left Alt + Mouse 1`
Glyph	`Left Alt + G`
Scan	`Left Alt + F`
Camera
Camera grip	`Mouse 3 (hold)`
Center camera on hero	`F1 (double-tap)`

Reach check · your keyboard, this game

Can your board actually play Dota 2?

Every default bind, re-scored against the keyboard you own. Distance is measured from the left hand resting on WASD, because that is where it stays while you play.

Mouse 2 Move / attack-move target
A Attack (move)
S Stop
H Hold position
Q / W / E Ability 1 / 2 / 3
D / F Ability 4 / 5 (extra)
R Ultimate
Left Ctrl + Q / W / E / R Level up ability
Z / X / C / V / B / N Item slots 1–6
0 Neutral item slot
T TP scroll slot
F3 Courier: deliver items
F4 Courier: select
F1 Select hero
F2 Select all units
F5 Shop
Tab Scoreboard
Mouse 3 (hold) Camera grip
F1 (double-tap) Center camera on hero
Enter / Left Shift + Enter Chat / all chat
G Voice (push to talk)
Left Alt + Mouse 1 Ping / alert
Left Alt + G Glyph
Left Alt + F Scan

On the keys: your hand is already there
Comfortable: a finger moves, the hand does not
Stretch: the hand lifts, movement wobbles
Off movement: you let go of A and D to press it
Not on this board: the key does not physically exist

Reach uses the same key geometry as BindIQ, which can rebuild the whole layout for you once you know what is out of reach. Mouse buttons always count as reachable — your right hand is already there.

One line per question

How to do the things people search for in Dota 2

Generated from the default bindings above, so an action and its key can never disagree.

How to open chat in Dota 2 on PC?

To open chat in Dota 2, press Enter / Left Shift + Enter on PC.

How to open the scoreboard in Dota 2 on PC?

To open the scoreboard in Dota 2, press Tab on PC.

Quick answers

How do I turn on quick cast in Dota 2?

Settings › Hotkeys › Advanced Hotkeys lets you set Quick Cast per ability or per item, or Quick Cast on Key Down for everything. Most players use quick cast for targeted abilities and normal cast for skill shots.

How do I use the courier?

F3 delivers items in the courier's inventory to you; F4 selects the courier so you can move it. Ctrl + F3 sends it to the base or fountain in some presets.

How do I ping in Dota 2?

Hold Left Alt and click the minimap or an ability; Alt + Ctrl + click gives a retreat ping. Alt-clicking your cooldowns tells the team when they are ready.

How do I move the camera?

Push the mouse to the screen edge, hold Mouse 3 to grip and drag, or use the arrow keys. Double-tap F1 to snap back to your hero.

Why are items on Z–N instead of numbers?

Valve reserves the number row for control groups. Most players rebind items to Space, Mouse 4, Mouse 5, D, F and G through the Hotkeys menu.

Where to go from here

Next steps for Dota 2

Mouse DPI analyzerMeasure the DPI your mouse really delivers before you change anything in game.Keyboard ghosting testCheck the combinations DOTA holds down at once actually reach the game.