Mark as Read in Gmail (Shift+I)
Select one or more conversations, then press Shift+I to mark them as read. Press Shift+U to mark them unread. Keyboard shortcuts must be on.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark as read | ⇧I | Shift+I | |
| Mark as unread | ⇧U | Shift+U | |
| Select a conversation | x | x |
Clear the bold without opening the email
In your inbox, press x to select a conversation (or use the checkboxes), then press Shift+I to mark it read. This works the same on Mac and Windows because Gmail runs in the browser.
Turn Gmail shortcuts on first
These keys only work when shortcuts are enabled: Settings → See all settings → General → Keyboard shortcuts on → Save Changes.
FAQ
What is the mark as read shortcut in Gmail?
Select the conversations and press Shift+I. Shift+U marks them unread.
Why doesn't Shift+I do anything?
Gmail keyboard shortcuts must be turned on in Settings → General → Keyboard shortcuts.
Is the shortcut different on a Mac?
No — Gmail is a web app, so Shift+I works the same on Mac and Windows.