The Sims 4 Keyboard & controller controls
- Windows · Mac
- 54 default keybinds
- ✓ Steam Deck ready
- Simulation →
- The Sims collection →
Cover art © its publisher — for identification only. Cover © its publisher. Details
Default keyboard and mouse controls for The Sims 4 on PC and Mac, covering camera movement, Build/Buy Mode tools, Live Mode panels, game speed, and the cheat console. Master shortcuts like F1-F2-F3 to switch modes and CTRL+SHIFT+C to open cheats and play faster.
All The Sims 4 controls
54 shortcuts
Build/Buy Mode 23
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Switch to Build Mode | F3 |
| Switch to Buy Mode | F2 |
| Rotate object counter-clockwise | , |
| Rotate object clockwise | . |
| Undo | CtrlZ |
| Redo | CtrlY |
| Hand / Select tool (grab objects) | H |
| Wall tool | B |
| Eyedropper tool (copy object) | E |
| Sledgehammer tool (demolish) | K |
| Free placement (off-grid / off-angle) | Alt |
| Delete / sell object | Del |
| Design / recolor tool | R |
| Cycle grid snapping (1/2, 1/4 tile) | F5 |
| Go up a floor | PgUp |
| Go down a floor | PgDn |
| Place multiple identical objects | Shift |
| Move object to household inventory | Bksp |
| Toggle top-down view | T |
| Walls up | Home |
| Walls down | End |
| Change time of day | L |
| Adjust terrain brush size | [then] |
Camera 13
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Pan camera (directional) | WthenAthenSthenD |
| Zoom in | Wheel ↑ |
| Zoom out | Wheel ↓ |
| Pan camera (arrow keys) | Arrows |
| Rotate view / tilt camera | MMB |
| Center camera on active Sim / lot | Enter |
| Navigate neighborhood / pan | RMB |
| Zoom in / out (keyboard) | ZthenX |
| Capture screenshot | C |
| Toggle Map Mode | M |
| Change camera type (TS4 / Sims 3) | CtrlShiftTab |
| Toggle First Person Camera | ShiftTab |
| Record video | V |
Live Mode 11
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Switch to Live Mode | F1 |
| Select / switch to next Sim | N |
| Interact with Sim / object | LMB |
| Cycle to next Sim | Space |
| Show Needs panel | O |
| Show Sim's inventory | I |
| Show Aspirations / Rewards | G |
| Show Skills panel | L |
| Show Relationships panel | R |
| Show Career panel | J |
| Show Simology panel | Y |
Gameplay/Speed 4
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Pause game | P |
| Normal speed | 1 |
| Fast speed | 2 |
| Ultra / fastest speed | 3 |
UI 2
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Cancel action / open main menu | Esc |
| Open the Gallery | F4 |
Cheats Console 1
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open cheat console | CtrlShiftC |
Sourced from help.ea.com, sims.fandom.com, simsvip.com, wargxp.com, bestgamingtips.com Last verified
+ 6 more controls in the table below
+ 6 more controls in the table below
Build/Buy Mode 8
| Action | XboxPlayStationSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Rotate object counter-clockwise | LBL1L1 |
| Rotate object clockwise | RBR1R1 |
| Undo | LTL2L2 |
| Redo | RTR2R2 |
| Eyedropper tool (copy object) | Y▲Y |
| Delete / sell object | B●B |
| Go up a floor | D-Pad ↑ |
| Go down a floor | D-Pad ↓ |
Camera 5
| Action | XboxPlayStationSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Pan camera (directional) | L-Stick |
| Pan camera (arrow keys) | L-Stick |
| Rotate view / tilt camera | R-Stick |
| Center camera on active Sim / lot | LTL2L2 |
| Navigate neighborhood / pan | L-Stick |
Live Mode 3
| Action | XboxPlayStationSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Select / switch to next Sim | D-Pad → |
| Interact with Sim / object | A✕A |
| Cycle to next Sim | D-Pad → |
Gameplay/Speed 1
| Action | XboxPlayStationSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Pause game | MenuOptionsMenu |
UI 1
| Action | XboxPlayStationSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Cancel action / open main menu | B●B |
Cheats Console 1
| Action | XboxPlayStationSteam Deck |
|---|---|
| Open cheat console | LBL1L1RBR1R1LTL2L2RTR2R2 |
Sourced from help.ea.com, sims.fandom.com, simsvip.com, wargxp.com, bestgamingtips.com Last verified
54 default keybinds across 6 categories. Most can be reassigned in The Sims 4's control settings. Switch to Gamepad to see Xbox, PlayStation and Steam Deck buttons side by side.
Unofficial reference. ShortcutPosters is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Sims 4. All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. See our licensing & trademark notice.
The Sims 4, 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 and Steam Deck controller posters.
PNG + print-ready PDF
- 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
These shortcuts, on physical keys
There is a Stream Deck profile for The Sims 4 — 61 shortcuts laid out across the keys, each one labelled, installed by double-clicking a file. It fits every current Stream Deck model.
The Sims 4 controls — FAQ
- What are the default controls for The Sims 4?
- The Sims 4, a simulation game, uses 54 default keybinds across 6 categories — on keyboard and controller. The complete, up-to-date list is free to read on this page.
- Can you remap The Sims 4 controls?
- Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from The Sims 4's in-game control or key-binding settings.
- Does The Sims 4 support a controller?
- Yes — The Sims 4 has full gamepad support. The Xbox, PlayStation and Steam Deck button maps are shown on this page alongside the keyboard controls.
- Which platforms do these The Sims 4 controls cover?
- These keyboard controls apply on Windows and Mac. The Sims 4 also released on Xbox and PlayStation, and this page carries those controller bindings too. Most bindings are identical across platforms unless noted.
- Is this an official The Sims 4 resource?
- No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Sims 4 or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Thanks — your feedback helps us improve.
The Sims collection
3 The Sims games in the catalogue, every control scheme free to read.
See all 3 The Sims games →
