Copy & Paste Shortcut
Copy is ⌘C on Mac and Ctrl+C on Windows. Here are copy, cut, paste and the related shortcuts, side by side.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy | ⌘C | Ctrl+C | |
| Cut | ⌘X | Ctrl+X | |
| Paste | ⌘V | Ctrl+V | |
| Paste without formatting | ⌘⇧V | Ctrl+Shift+V | |
| Select all | ⌘A | Ctrl+A | |
| Undo | ⌘Z | Ctrl+Z | |
| Redo | ⌘⇧Z | Ctrl+Y | |
| Copy screenshot to clipboard | ⌃⌘⇧4 | Win+Shift+S |
The core three
Copy is ⌘C on the Mac and Ctrl+C on Windows; paste is ⌘V / Ctrl+V; cut is ⌘X / Ctrl+X. These work in almost every app — text editors, browsers, file managers and design tools.
Paste clean text
When you copy from a webpage the formatting comes along with it. Use ⌘⇧V (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) to paste plain text that matches its new home. In Microsoft Office the exact combo can vary, but Ctrl+Shift+V works in Chrome, Docs, Slack and most modern apps.
FAQ
What is the copy and paste shortcut?
Copy is ⌘C (Mac) or Ctrl+C (Windows); paste is ⌘V or Ctrl+V. Cut is ⌘X or Ctrl+X. Select text first, copy, click where you want it, then paste.
How do I paste without formatting?
Press ⌘⇧V on the Mac or Ctrl+Shift+V on Windows to paste plain text stripped of its original fonts and colours.
Do copy and paste shortcuts work everywhere?
Almost — ⌘/Ctrl + C/X/V work in nearly every app and in the Finder/File Explorer for files. A few apps remap paste-special, which is why this page lists both.