Escape from Tarkov Controls & Best Keybinds (2026)

The keys people look up first

Escape from Tarkov 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
Sprint / run	`Left Shift`
Crouch	`C`
Prone	`Z`
Jump	`Space`
Melee	`V`
Aim / ADS	`Mouse 2`
Grenade	`G`
Interact	`F`

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

Action	Default key
Movement
Move	`W / A / S / D`
Sprint	`Left Shift`
Jump / vault	`Space`
CrouchToggle by default.	`C`
Prone	`Z`
Change stance height	`Left Ctrl + Scroll`
Walk / change speed	`Caps Lock or Scroll (with Ctrl)`
Lean left / rightHold Left Alt + A/D for a slow side-step lean.	`Q / E`
Combat
Fire	`Mouse 1`
Aim	`Mouse 2`
ReloadDouble-tap R for a quick reload that drops the magazine.	`R`
Primary / secondary / pistol	`1 / 2 / 3`
Melee	`V`
Grenade	`G`
Change fire mode	`B`
Check ammo / chamberAlt + T checks the magazine; Shift + T checks the chamber.	`Left Alt + T / Left Shift + T`
Inspect weapon	`L`
Fold / unfold stock	`Left Alt + L`
Toggle tactical device (laser / flashlight)Ctrl + T switches device modes.	`T`
Switch scope / magnificationLeft Alt + Mouse 2 changes zoom on variable scopes.	`Left Ctrl + Mouse 2`
Use medical / item (quick slots)	`4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9`
Interface
Interact / search / loot	`F`
Inventory	`Tab`
Map	`O`
Extractions list	`O (double-tap)`
Push to talk	`Y`
Toggle headset / audio	`Left Ctrl + Y`

Reach check · your keyboard, this game

Can your board actually play Escape from Tarkov?

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.

W / A / S / D Move
Left Shift Sprint
Space Jump / vault
C Crouch
Z Prone
Left Ctrl + Scroll Change stance height
Caps Lock or Scroll (with Ctrl) Walk / change speed
Q / E Lean left / right
Mouse 1 Fire
Mouse 2 Aim
R Reload
1 / 2 / 3 Primary / secondary / pistol
V Melee
G Grenade
B Change fire mode
Left Alt + T / Left Shift + T Check ammo / chamber
L Inspect weapon
Left Alt + L Fold / unfold stock
T Toggle tactical device (laser / flashlight)
Left Ctrl + Mouse 2 Switch scope / magnification
4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 Use medical / item (quick slots)
F Interact / search / loot
Tab Inventory
O Map
O (double-tap) Extractions list
Y Push to talk
Left Ctrl + Y Toggle headset / audio

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 Escape from Tarkov

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

How to sprint in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To sprint in Escape from Tarkov, press Left Shift on PC.

How to crouch in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To crouch in Escape from Tarkov, press C on PC. Toggle by default.

How to go prone in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To go prone in Escape from Tarkov, press Z on PC.

How to jump in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To jump in Escape from Tarkov, press Space on PC.

How to melee in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To melee in Escape from Tarkov, press V on PC.

How to aim in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To aim in Escape from Tarkov, press Mouse 2 on PC.

How to throw a grenade in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To throw a grenade in Escape from Tarkov, press G on PC.

How to interact or pick things up in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To interact or pick things up in Escape from Tarkov, press F on PC.

How to open the inventory in Escape from Tarkov on PC?

To open the inventory in Escape from Tarkov, press Tab on PC.

Quick answers

How do I check how many bullets I have?

Hold Left Alt and press T to check the magazine, or Shift + T for the chamber. Your character estimates the count based on skill, so the number is approximate.

What is a quick reload?

Double-tap R: the magazine drops on the ground and a fresh one loads faster. Pick the dropped magazine up afterwards or lose it.

How do I see the extractions?

Double-tap O to show the list with timers. Some extracts need a condition such as a paid fee or a partner.

How do I lean slowly?

Hold Left Alt with A or D for a side-step lean that keeps your head low; Q and E are the full leans.

Why are there so many modifiers?

Tarkov binds Alt, Ctrl and Shift as layers so every action has a key without a long keyboard reach. Print the controls page and learn one layer at a time.

Where to go from here

Next steps for Escape from Tarkov

Sensitivity converterBring the cm/360 you already trust into EFT instead of guessing a number.eDPI calculatorWork out where your EFT sensitivity sits and what it becomes if you change DPI.Input latency testReaction time, event-to-frame delay and controller update rate in one pass.Keyboard ghosting testCheck the combinations EFT holds down at once actually reach the game.