What are the default controls for War Thunder?

War Thunder, a simulation game, uses 33 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 War Thunder controls?

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

Does War Thunder support a controller?

Yes — War Thunder 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 War Thunder controls cover?

These keyboard controls apply on Windows. War Thunder 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 War Thunder resource?

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

War Thunder Keyboard & controller controls

Windows
33 default keybinds
✓ Steam Deck ready
Simulation →

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

A reference to the default PC keyboard and mouse controls for War Thunder, Gaijin's vehicular combat game. Because War Thunder uses separate control sets per vehicle type, these default keybindings are grouped by Aircraft, Ground Vehicles, and Common controls so you can quickly learn how to throttle, aim, fire, repair, and manage the interface across planes and tanks.

War Thunder official site ↗ View on Steam ↗

All War Thunder controls

Layout

33 shortcuts

Aircraft 15

Action	Shortcut
Increase Throttle	`W`
Decrease Throttle	`S`
Fire All Guns / Cannons	`LMB`
Mouse Aim / Look (hold)	`RMB`
Roll Left	`A`
Roll Right	`D`
Toggle Flaps	`F`
Toggle Landing Gear	`G`
Yaw / Rudder Left	`Q`
Yaw / Rudder Right	`E`
Drop Bombs	`3`
Launch Rockets	`4`
Airbrake	`B`
Full Flaps	`ShiftF`
Toggle Engine Start / Stop	`R CtrlE`

Ground Vehicles 10

Action	Shortcut
Move Forward	`W`
Move Backward	`S`
Fire Main Gun / Cannon	`LMB`
Turn / Steer Left	`A`
Turn / Steer Right	`D`
Sniper / Gunner Zoom Sight (hold)	`Shift`
Fire Coaxial Machine Gun	`RMB`
Repair (hold)	`7`
Extinguish Fire (hold)	`6`
Active Scouting	`V`

Common/Camera 5

Action	Shortcut
Free Look (hold)	`C`
Lock Target	`MMB`
Zoom In (sight)	`Z`
Toggle View / Change Camera	`V`
Look Back	`C`

Interface 3

Action	Shortcut
Scoreboard / Statistics	`Tab`
Open Tactical Map	`M`
Open Menu / Pause	`Esc`

Sourced from wiki.warthunder.com, hypertexthero.com, defkey.com, support.gaijin.net Last verified September 25, 2026

Esc

F10

F11

F12

⌫ Back

Tab

[

]

Caps

;

Enter ⏎

Shift

Ctrl

Win

Alt

Space

Alt

Win

Ctrl

MMB · Lock Target

↑

←

↓

→

Aircraft 8

Action	XboxPlayStationSteam Deck
Increase Throttle	`L-Stick`
Decrease Throttle	`L-Stick`
Fire All Guns / Cannons	`RTR2R2`
Mouse Aim / Look (hold)	`R-Stick`
Roll Left	`R-Stick`
Roll Right	`R-Stick`
Yaw / Rudder Left	`L-Stick`
Yaw / Rudder Right	`L-Stick`

Ground Vehicles 6

Action	XboxPlayStationSteam Deck
Move Forward	`L-Stick`
Move Backward	`L-Stick`
Fire Main Gun / Cannon	`RTR2R2`
Turn / Steer Left	`L-Stick`
Turn / Steer Right	`L-Stick`
Fire Coaxial Machine Gun	`LTL2L2`

Common/Camera 1

Action	XboxPlayStationSteam Deck
Free Look (hold)	`R-Stick`

Interface 1

Action	XboxPlayStationSteam Deck
Open Menu / Pause	`MenuOptionsMenu`

Sourced from wiki.warthunder.com, hypertexthero.com, defkey.com, support.gaijin.net Last verified September 25, 2026

33 default keybinds across 4 categories. Most can be reassigned in War Thunder'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 War Thunder. All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. See our licensing & trademark notice.

Put it on your wall

War Thunder, 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.

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

Frame it36×24″, A1 or A2
Desk matany print shop
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War Thunder controls — FAQ

What are the default controls for War Thunder?: War Thunder, a simulation game, uses 33 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 War Thunder controls?: Yes. These are the game's default bindings — nearly all of them can be reassigned from War Thunder's in-game control or key-binding settings.
Does War Thunder support a controller?: Yes — War Thunder 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 War Thunder controls cover?: These keyboard controls apply on Windows. War Thunder 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 War Thunder resource?: No. This is an unofficial reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by War Thunder or its publisher. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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