What are the default controls for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, a strategy game, uses 38 default keybinds across 7 categories. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.

Can you remap Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition controls?

Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition's in-game control or key-binding settings.

Which platforms do these Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition controls cover?

These keyboard controls apply on Windows. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.

Is this an official Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition resource?

No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Keyboard controls

Windows
38 default keybinds
Strategy →
Age of Empires collection →

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Cover art © its publisher — for identification only. Cover © its publisher. Details

A reference to the default PC keyboard and mouse hotkeys for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. Covers camera control, unit and idle-villager selection, control groups, building navigation, and core RTS commands so you can manage your economy and armies faster.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition official site ↗ View on Steam ↗

All Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition keyboard controls

Layout

38 shortcuts

Buildings 8

Action	Shortcut
Go to Town Center	`H`
Cycle Barracks	`CtrlB`
Cycle Archery Range	`CtrlA`
Cycle Stable	`CtrlL`
Cycle Castle	`CtrlV`
Cycle Market	`CtrlM`
Cycle Monastery	`CtrlY`
Cycle Dock	`CtrlD`

Units 8

Action	Shortcut
Attack Move	`R`
Stop	`G`
Attack Ground	`T`
Patrol	`Q`
Delete Selected Unit	`Del`
Guard	`W`
Repair	`E`
Delete All Selected	`ShiftDel`

Camera 6

Action	Shortcut
Scroll / Pan Camera	`Arrows`
Go to Last Notification	`Home`
Return to Previous View	`Bksp`
Zoom In	`Ctrl+`
Zoom Out	`Ctrl−`
Reset Zoom	`CtrlBksp`

Selection 5

Action	Shortcut
Go to Next Idle Villager	`.`
Select All Idle Villagers	`Shift.`
Select All Military Units	`Shift,`
Go to Next Idle Military Unit	`,`
Select All Visible Military Units	`Alt,`

Control Groups 4

Action	Shortcut
Assign Control Group	`Ctrl1`
Select Control Group	`1`
Append to Control Group	`Shift1`
Select & Center on Control Group	`CtrlShift1`

Game Control 4

Action	Shortcut
Pause Game	`F3`
Save Game	`F2`
Diplomacy	`F8`
Menu	`F10`

UI 3

Action	Shortcut
Technology Tree	`F5`
Chat	`Enter`
Objectives	`F6`

Sourced from keycombiner.com, ageofnotes.com, diamondlobby.com, ageofempires.fandom.com, ageofempires.com Last verified September 25, 2026

Esc

F10

F11

F12

⌫ Back

Tab

[

]

Caps

;

Enter ⏎

Shift

Ctrl

Win

Alt

Space

Alt

Win

Ctrl

↑

←

↓

→

+ 5 more controls in the table below

38 default keybinds across 7 categories. Most can be reassigned in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition's control settings.

Unofficial reference. ShortcutPosters is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. See our licensing & trademark notice.

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Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition controls poster preview

These shortcuts, on physical keys

There is a Stream Deck profile for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition — 75 shortcuts laid out across the keys, each one labelled, installed by double-clicking a file. It fits every current Stream Deck model.

Get the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Stream Deck profile →

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition controls — FAQ

What are the default controls for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, a strategy game, uses 38 default keybinds across 7 categories. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.
Can you remap Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition controls?: Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition's in-game control or key-binding settings.
Which platforms do these Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition controls cover?: These keyboard controls apply on Windows. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.
Is this an official Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition resource?: No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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