What Does the Escape (Esc) Key Do?
Esc (Escape) is the "never mind" key. It closes menus and pop-ups, cancels what you started, and gets you out of full screen.
Pop-up in the way? Tap Esc and it's gone!
Where is the Escape key?
The highlighted key is the Escape key on a typical Windows laptop keyboard. Keyboards vary a little by brand.
What the Escape key does
- Close a menu, pop-up or dialog box without choosing anything.
- Exit full-screen video or full-screen mode in a browser.
- Stop a web page that is still loading.
- Pause many games or open their menu.
- Cancel dragging something you picked up by mistake.
Windows, Mac and Chromebook
Windows
Ctrl + Shift + Esc opens Task Manager, which can close an app that has frozen.
Mac
Labeled esc in the top-left corner. Command + Option + Esc opens Force Quit for a frozen app.
Chromebook
Esc is in the top-left corner. Search + Esc opens the Task Manager.
Which finger presses it?
Esc is a long reach. Lift your left hand a little and press it with your pinky or ring finger, then return to the home row.
Fun fact
Esc was invented in 1960 by computer scientist Bob Bemer. He wanted a key that told the computer "the next thing I type is a special command", a way to escape from normal typing.
Keep learning
- Practice the reach in Lesson 25: Numbers 1 to 5.
- More keys: Function keys, F1 key, Tab key, Delete key.
- See every keyboard key explained.
- Names of all the symbols: Keyboard Characters and Meanings.
Quick drill: find the Escape key
Press the key on your keyboard, or click or tap it below, when Rocky asks. Wrong key? We will tell you what it was.
Escape key FAQ
What does Esc do?
It cancels or closes things: menus, pop-ups, full screen and page loading.
Where is the Escape key?
In the top-left corner of the keyboard, above the backtick and 1 keys.
What does Ctrl + Shift + Esc do?
On Windows it opens Task Manager.