Cheatsheet - GIMP
File & Image Management
| Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
Ctrl/Cmd + N |
New Image | Opens the dialog to create a new, blank image. |
Ctrl/Cmd + O |
Open Image | Opens an existing image file. |
Ctrl/Cmd + S |
Save Image | Saves the current image in its native .XCF format. |
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + E |
Export As... | Exports the image to formats like JPG, PNG, GIF, etc. |
Ctrl/Cmd + W |
Close Image | Closes the current image window. |
Ctrl/Cmd + Q |
Quit GIMP | Closes the entire application. |
Essential Toolbox Shortcuts
These single-key shortcuts select the primary tools. Remember: They only work when the image window is active (not a dialog box).
| Key | Tool | What it Does |
|---|---|---|
R |
Rectangle Select | Selects a rectangular area. |
E |
Ellipse Select | Selects an elliptical or circular area. |
F |
Free Select (Lasso) | Selects a hand-drawn region. |
U |
Fuzzy Select (Magic Wand) | Selects a contiguous region of similar color. |
I |
Path Tool (Pen Tool) | Creates complex selections and paths with bezier curves. |
M |
Move Tool | Moves selections, layers, paths, or guides. |
Shift + C |
Crop Tool | Trims the image to a selected area. |
Shift + R |
Rotate Tool | Rotates the active layer or selection. |
Shift + S |
Scale Tool | Resizes the active layer or selection. |
Shift + T |
Perspective Tool | Distorts the layer or selection to match a perspective. |
T |
Text Tool | Adds and edits text layers. |
B |
Paintbrush Tool | Paints strokes with the foreground color. |
P |
Pencil Tool | Paints hard-edged strokes. |
A |
Airbrush Tool | Paints with variable pressure, like a spray can. |
Shift + B |
Bucket Fill Tool | Fills a selection or area with color or a pattern. |
Shift + E |
Eraser Tool | Erases parts of a layer to transparency or the background color. |
Shift + D |
Smudge Tool | Smudges and smears colors on the active layer. |
Selection & Deselection
| Shortcut | Action |
| :--------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Ctrl/Cmd + A | Select All |
| Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + A | Select None (Deselect) |
| Ctrl/Cmd + I | Invert Selection |
| Ctrl + Drag Selection | Move only the selection outline, not the content. |
| Alt + Drag Selection | Create a copy of the selected area and move it. |
| Q | Toggle Quick Mask | A powerful way to edit a selection using painting tools. |
View & Navigation
| Shortcut | Action |
| :----------------------------- | :------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |
| + (Plus) | Zoom In |
| - (Minus) | Zoom Out |
| 1 | Zoom to 100% (1
Shift + Ctrl/Cmd + E | Fit Image in Window | Zooms the image to fit the current window size. |
| Spacebar + Drag | Pan / Hand Tool | Moves around the image when zoomed in. |
| Middle Mouse Button + Drag | Pan / Hand Tool | (Alternative to Spacebar) |
| Ctrl + Mouse Wheel | Zoom In / Out |
Colors & Swatches
| Shortcut | Action |
| :----------- | :------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| D | Default Colors | Resets foreground to black and background to white. |
| X | Swap Colors | Swaps the foreground and background colors. |
| Ctrl + , | Fill with Foreground Color | Fills the current selection or layer. |
| Ctrl + . | Fill with Background Color | Fills the current selection or layer. |
Layers Management
The Layers Dialog is one of the most important parts of GIMP.
| Shortcut | Action |
| :---------------------------------- | :------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N | New Layer | Creates a new, transparent layer above the active one. |
| Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + D | Duplicate Layer | Creates an exact copy of the active layer. |
| Ctrl/Cmd + . | Merge Down | Merges the active layer with the one directly below it. |
| Ctrl/Cmd + H | Anchor Layer | Merges a floating selection (e.g., after pasting). |
| PgUp / PgDn | Raise / Lower Layer | Changes the layer stacking order (in the Layers dialog). |
| Ctrl + Click on Layer Thumbnail | Select from Alpha | Creates a selection based on the opaque parts of that layer. |
Editing & Transformations
| Shortcut | Action |
| :----------------- | :------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| Ctrl/Cmd + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl/Cmd + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl/Cmd + C | Copy |
| Ctrl/Cmd + V | Paste | (Pastes as a "Floating Selection Layer") |
| Ctrl/Cmd + X | Cut |
| [ | Decrease Brush Size |
| ] | Increase Brush Size |
Filters & Adjustments
These are mostly accessed through the Colors and Filters menus, but here are a few key ones.
| Menu Path | Action | What it Does |
|---|---|---|
Colors > Levels... |
(Shift + L) |
Adjusts the tonal range (blacks, midtones, whites). |
Colors > Curves... |
(Shift + M) |
Provides precise control over the tonal range with a curve. |
Colors > Hue-Saturation... |
Adjusts the hue, lightness, and saturation of colors. | |
Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur... |
The most common and useful blur effect. | |
Filters > Enhance > Unsharp Mask... |
A standard filter for sharpening images. |
Most Important Tip for GIMP
"Floating Selections": After you paste (Ctrl/Cmd + V), GIMP creates a temporary "Floating Selection Layer". This can be confusing. To make it a normal, editable layer, do one of two things immediately:
- To New Layer: Click the "New Layer" icon at the bottom of the Layers dialog.
- Anchor Down: Click the "Anchor" icon to merge the pasted content with the layer below it.