What are the default controls for Battlefield 3?

Battlefield 3, a shooter game, uses 45 default keybinds across 7 categories — on keyboard and controller. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.

Can you remap Battlefield 3 controls?

Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Battlefield 3's in-game control or key-binding settings.

Does Battlefield 3 support a controller?

Yes — Battlefield 3 has full gamepad support. The Steam Deck button map is shown on this page alongside the keyboard controls.

Which platforms do these Battlefield 3 controls cover?

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

Is this an official Battlefield 3 resource?

No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Battlefield 3 or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Battlefield 3 Keyboard & controller controls

Get the poster

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

A reference to the default keyboard, mouse and Xbox 360 controller bindings for Battlefield 3, the 2011 Frostbite 2 shooter from DICE and EA. It covers the infantry scheme from EA's own manuals, the vehicle seat keys, the arrow-key helicopter pitch and roll, and the Q spotting key. Bindings can be changed under OPTIONS, though on PC only from inside an active server.

Battlefield 3 official site ↗ View on Steam ↗

All Battlefield 3 controls

Layout

45 shortcuts

Movement 11

Action	Shortcut
Move Forward	`W`
Move Backward	`S`
Strafe Left	`A`
Strafe Right	`D`
Camera Control / Look	`Mouse`
Sprint (hold)	`Shift`
Jump / Vault	`Space`
Crouch (hold)	`Ctrl`
Toggle Crouch	`X`
Prone	`Z`
Deploy Parachute	`Space`

Combat 8

Action	Shortcut
Fire Weapon	`LMB`
Aim / Scope Zoom	`RMB`
Reload	`R`
Melee / Use Knife	`F`
Throw Grenade	`G`
Steady Scope (hold)	`Shift`
Cycle Fire Mode	`V`
Toggle Weapon Light	`T`

Weapons & Gadgets 7

Action	Shortcut
Select Primary Weapon	`1`
Select Secondary Weapon	`2`
Select Gadget 1 (Class Gadget)	`3`
Select Gadget 2 (Teamplay Gadget)	`4`
Pick Up Item (hold)	`R`
Select Grenade	`5`
Select Knife	`6`

Vehicles 6

Action	Shortcut
Interact / Enter & Exit Vehicle	`E`
Vehicle Boost (hold)	`Shift`
Fire Countermeasures	`X`
Vehicle Seat 1	`F1`
Vehicle Seat 2	`F2`
Toggle Chase Camera	`C`

Helicopter 6

Action	Shortcut
Pitch Down	`UP`
Pitch Up	`DOWN`
Roll Left	`LEFT`
Roll Right	`RIGHT`
Helicopter Fire	`Space`
Freelook (hold)	`RMB`

Squad & Comms 4

Action	Shortcut
Spot / Communications	`Q`
All Chat	`J`
Team Chat	`K`
Squad Chat	`L`

Interface 3

Action	Shortcut
Scoreboard (hold)	`Tab`
Full Map	`M`
Game Menu / Pause	`Esc`

Sourced from eaassets-a.akamaihd.net, battlefield.fandom.com, static.wikia.nocookie.net Last verified September 25, 2026

Esc

F10

F11

F12

⌫ Back

Tab

[

]

Caps

;

Enter ⏎

Shift

Ctrl

Win

Alt

Space

Alt

Win

Ctrl

↑

←

↓

→

+ 1 more control in the table below

25 shortcuts

Movement 9

Action	Steam Deck
Move Forward	`L-Stick`
Move Backward	`L-Stick`
Strafe Left	`L-Stick`
Strafe Right	`L-Stick`
Camera Control / Look	`R-Stick`
Sprint (hold)	`L3`
Jump / Vault	`A`
Crouch (hold)	`R3`
Prone	`R3`

Combat 7

Action	Steam Deck
Fire Weapon	`R2`
Aim / Scope Zoom	`L2`
Reload	`X`
Melee / Use Knife	`R1`
Throw Grenade	`L1`
Cycle Fire Mode	`D-Pad ↓`
Toggle Weapon Light	`D-Pad ↑`

Weapons & Gadgets 3

Action	Steam Deck
Select Gadget 1 (Class Gadget)	`D-Pad ←`
Select Gadget 2 (Teamplay Gadget)	`D-Pad →`
Pick Up Item (hold)	`X`

Vehicles 3

Action	Steam Deck
Interact / Enter & Exit Vehicle	`B`
Vehicle Boost (hold)	`L3`
Toggle Chase Camera	`R3`

Squad & Comms 1

Action	Steam Deck
Spot / Communications	`View`

Interface 2

Action	Steam Deck
Scoreboard (hold)	`View`
Game Menu / Pause	`Menu`

Sourced from eaassets-a.akamaihd.net, battlefield.fandom.com, static.wikia.nocookie.net Last verified September 25, 2026

45 default keybinds across 7 categories. Most can be reassigned in Battlefield 3's control settings. Switch to Gamepad to see the Steam Deck buttons.

Unofficial reference. ShortcutPosters is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Battlefield 3. All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. See our licensing & trademark notice.

Put it on your wall

Battlefield 3, framed.
Every bind, razor-sharp.

Print-ready 36×24″ at 300 DPI. No watermark. Hang it, gift it, or turn it into a desk mat.

One file: the keyboard poster and the Steam Deck controller poster.

Free preview: 1600 px · watermarked
Print-ready: 10 800 px · frame quality

Frame it36×24″, A1 or A2
Desk matany print shop
Gift itfor your duo or squad

✎ customize

Battlefield 3 controls — FAQ

What are the default controls for Battlefield 3?: Battlefield 3, a shooter game, uses 45 default keybinds across 7 categories — on keyboard and controller. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.
Can you remap Battlefield 3 controls?: Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Battlefield 3's in-game control or key-binding settings.
Does Battlefield 3 support a controller?: Yes — Battlefield 3 has full gamepad support. The Steam Deck button map is shown on this page alongside the keyboard controls.
Which platforms do these Battlefield 3 controls cover?: These keyboard controls apply on Windows. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.
Is this an official Battlefield 3 resource?: No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Battlefield 3 or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Was this reference helpful?