Delete Word Shortcut (Ctrl+Backspace / ⌥Delete)
Delete the word before the cursor: ⌥Delete on Mac, Ctrl+Backspace on Windows — one word at a time instead of one letter.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delete word to the left | ⌥Delete | Ctrl+Backspace | |
| Delete word to the right | ⌥fn+Delete | Ctrl+Delete | |
| Delete to start of line | ⌘Delete | (Home then Backspace) | |
| Delete one character | Delete | Backspace | |
| Delete forward one character | fn+Delete | Delete |
Erase a word at a time
Hold ⌥ (Option) and press Delete on the Mac, or hold Ctrl and press Backspace on Windows, to remove the whole word before the cursor instead of one letter. Great for fixing a mistyped word fast.
Forward and whole-line
To delete the word after the cursor, use Ctrl+Delete on Windows or ⌥fn+Delete on the Mac. On the Mac, ⌘Delete wipes everything from the cursor back to the start of the line.
FAQ
What is the delete word shortcut?
Hold ⌥ and press Delete on the Mac, or hold Ctrl and press Backspace on Windows, to delete the whole word before the cursor.
How do I delete the word after the cursor?
Press Ctrl+Delete on Windows, or ⌥fn+Delete on the Mac.
How do I delete a whole line?
On the Mac, ⌘Delete removes everything from the cursor to the start of the line; on Windows, press Home then Shift+End then Backspace.