Gmail Reply Shortcut (R)
With keyboard shortcuts enabled, open a message and press R to reply to the sender. Press A to reply to everyone, or F to forward. Same keys on Mac and Windows.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reply to sender | r | r | |
| Reply to all | a | a | |
| Forward the message | f | f | |
| Send | ⌘Return | Ctrl+Enter | |
| Reply in a new window | (hover ▸ reply) | (hover ▸ reply) |
Answer the sender
Open the email and press r. Gmail opens a reply below the message with the cursor ready in the body. Press f to forward the same message to someone new. The keys match on Mac and Windows.
Finish and send
Type your reply and press ⌘Return on the Mac or Ctrl+Enter on Windows to send without touching the mouse. If R opens a search box instead, your keyboard shortcuts are switched off — enable them in Settings.
FAQ
What is the reply shortcut in Gmail?
Open the message and press R to reply to the sender. The key is identical on Mac and Windows.
How do I reply to everyone instead?
Press A for reply-all; R only replies to the original sender.
How do I send the reply with the keyboard?
Press ⌘Return on the Mac or Ctrl+Enter on Windows.