Hollow Knight Keyboard & controller controls
- Windows
- 22 default keybinds
- ✓ Steam Deck ready
- Platformer →
- Hollow Knight collection →
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A complete reference to the default keyboard controls for Hollow Knight on PC. Learn the default keybindings for movement, jumping, nail attacks, dashing, casting spells, focusing to heal, the Dream Nail, Super Dash, and menus so you can explore Hallownest with confidence.
All Hollow Knight controls
Movement 9
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Move Left | LEFT |
| Move Right | RIGHT |
| Jump | Z |
| Move Up / Climb / Aim Up | UP |
| Move Down / Drop / Aim Down | DOWN |
| Dash | C |
| Super Dash (Crystal Heart) | S |
| Look Up (hold) | UP |
| Look Down (hold) | DOWN |
Abilities 7
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Cast Spell (Focus / Cast) | A |
| Focus / Heal (hold) | A |
| Vengeful Spirit / Shade Soul (cast forward) | A |
| Dream Nail | D |
| Quick Cast | F |
| Howling Wraiths / Abyss Shriek (cast up) | UPA |
| Desolate Dive / Descending Dark (cast down) | DOWNA |
Combat 3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Attack (Nail) | X |
| Down Slash / Pogo (Attack + Down) | DOWNX |
| Up Slash (Attack + Up) | UPX |
Interface 3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Pause / Menu | Esc |
| Open Inventory | I |
| Quick Map | Tab |
Sourced from hollowknight.wiki, hollowknight.wiki.fextralife.com, hollowknight.fandom.com Last verified
Movement 9
| Action | XboxPlayStationSwitchSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Move Left | L-Stick |
| Move Right | L-Stick |
| Jump | A✕AB |
| Move Up / Climb / Aim Up | L-Stick |
| Move Down / Drop / Aim Down | L-Stick |
| Dash | RTR2R2ZR |
| Super Dash (Crystal Heart) | LTL2L2ZL |
| Look Up (hold) | L-Stick |
| Look Down (hold) | L-Stick |
Abilities 7
| Action | XboxPlayStationSwitchSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Cast Spell (Focus / Cast) | B●BA |
| Focus / Heal (hold) | B●BA |
| Vengeful Spirit / Shade Soul (cast forward) | B●BA |
| Dream Nail | Y▲YX |
| Quick Cast | RBR1R1R |
| Howling Wraiths / Abyss Shriek (cast up) | D-Pad ↑B●BA |
| Desolate Dive / Descending Dark (cast down) | D-Pad ↓B●BA |
Combat 3
| Action | XboxPlayStationSwitchSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Attack (Nail) | X■XY |
| Down Slash / Pogo (Attack + Down) | D-Pad ↓X■XY |
| Up Slash (Attack + Up) | D-Pad ↑X■XY |
Interface 3
| Action | XboxPlayStationSwitchSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Pause / Menu | MenuOptionsMenu+ |
| Open Inventory | ViewShareView− |
| Quick Map | LBL1L1L |
Sourced from hollowknight.wiki, hollowknight.wiki.fextralife.com, hollowknight.fandom.com Last verified
22 default keybinds across 4 categories. Most can be reassigned in Hollow Knight's control settings. Switch to Gamepad to see Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and Steam Deck buttons side by side.
Unofficial reference. ShortcutPosters is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Hollow Knight. All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. See our licensing & trademark notice.
Hollow Knight, 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 Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and Steam Deck controller posters.
- 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
Hollow Knight controls — FAQ
- What are the default controls for Hollow Knight?
- Hollow Knight, a platformer game, uses 22 default keybinds across 4 categories — on keyboard and controller. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.
- Can you remap Hollow Knight controls?
- Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from Hollow Knight's in-game control or key-binding settings.
- Does Hollow Knight support a controller?
- Yes — Hollow Knight has full gamepad support. The Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and Steam Deck button maps are shown on this page alongside the keyboard controls.
- Which platforms do these Hollow Knight controls cover?
- These keyboard controls apply on Windows. Hollow Knight also released on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, and this page carries those controller bindings too. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.
- Is this an official Hollow Knight resource?
- No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hollow Knight or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
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Hollow Knight collection
2 Hollow Knight games in the catalogue, every control scheme free to read.
See all 2 Hollow Knight games →
