What are the default controls for Cities: Skylines?

Cities: Skylines, a simulation game, uses 38 default keybinds across 5 categories. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.

Can you remap Cities: Skylines controls?

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

Which platforms do these Cities: Skylines controls cover?

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

Is this an official Cities: Skylines resource?

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

Cities: Skylines Keyboard controls

Windows · Mac · Linux
38 default keybinds
Simulation →
Cities: Skylines collection →

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

Cities: Skylines is a deep city-building simulation where you plan roads, zoning, and public services to grow a thriving metropolis. Its hotkeys let you switch tools, control camera angles, and adjust simulation speed quickly, which keeps large builds manageable. Colossal Order's own user manual, served from Steam, prints the zoning digits and the screenshot keys; note it still shows the launch binding for camera tilt (Home/End), which the game has since moved to R and F — the rows below follow the current build.

Cities: Skylines official site ↗ View on Steam ↗

All Cities: Skylines keyboard controls

Layout

38 shortcuts

Camera 11

Action	Shortcut
Scroll camera up	`W`
Scroll camera down	`S`
Scroll camera left	`A`
Scroll camera right	`D`
Rotate camera (drag)	`MMB`
Rotate camera clockwise	`Q`
Rotate camera counter-clockwise	`E`
Zoom in	`Z`
Zoom out	`X`
Tilt camera up	`R`
Tilt camera down	`F`

Tools 10

Action	Shortcut
Bulldoze tool (toggle)	`B`
Low residential zoning	`4`
High residential zoning	`5`
Low commercial zoning	`6`
High commercial zoning	`7`
Industrial zoning	`8`
Office zoning	`9`
De-zoning	`0`
Build elevation up	`PgUp`
Build elevation down	`PgDn`

Interface 8

Action	Shortcut
Quicksave	`F1`
Info views	`I`
Select game areas	`Y`
Unlocking panel	`U`
Back / cancel	`Esc`
Screenshot	`F11`
Steam screenshot	`F12`
High-resolution screenshot	`ShiftF12`

Map Editor 5

Action	Shortcut
Undo (map editor)	`CtrlZ`
Increase brush size (map editor)	`Num +`
Decrease brush size (map editor)	`Num −`
Increase brush strength (map editor)	`ShiftNum +`
Decrease brush strength (map editor)	`ShiftNum −`

Game speed 4

Action	Shortcut
Pause (stop time)	`Space`
Normal speed	`1`
Fast speed	`2`
Fastest speed	`3`

Sourced from store.steampowered.com, shared.fastly.steamstatic.com, skylines.paradoxwikis.com Last verified September 25, 2026 Shortcuts last changed September 24, 2026

Esc

F10

F11

F12

⌫ Back

Tab

[

]

Caps

;

Enter ⏎

Shift

Ctrl

Win

Alt

Space

Alt

Win

Ctrl

MMB · Rotate camera (drag)

↑

←

↓

→

+ 6 more controls in the table below

38 default keybinds across 5 categories. Most can be reassigned in Cities: Skylines's control settings.

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

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Cities: Skylines controls poster preview

These shortcuts, on physical keys

There is a Stream Deck profile for Cities: Skylines — 37 shortcuts laid out across the keys, each one labelled, installed by double-clicking a file. It fits every current Stream Deck model.

Get the Cities: Skylines Stream Deck profile →

Cities: Skylines controls — FAQ

What are the default controls for Cities: Skylines?: Cities: Skylines, a simulation game, uses 38 default keybinds across 5 categories. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.
Can you remap Cities: Skylines controls?: Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Cities: Skylines's in-game control or key-binding settings.
Which platforms do these Cities: Skylines controls cover?: These keyboard controls apply on Windows and Mac and Linux. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.
Is this an official Cities: Skylines resource?: No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cities: Skylines or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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