What Does the Shift Key Do?
Hold Shift and press a letter to make a capital letter. Hold Shift and press a number or symbol key to type the symbol printed on top, like ! or ?.
Opposite hand rule: left-hand letter, right Shift. Right-hand letter, left Shift!
Where is the Shift key?
The highlighted keys are the Shift key on a typical Windows laptop keyboard. Keyboards vary a little by brand.
What the Shift key does
There are two Shift keys, one at each end of the bottom letter row. Touch typists use the opposite-hand rule:
- Capital letter typed with the left hand (like S in Sam)? Hold the right Shift with your right pinky.
- Capital letter typed with the right hand (like J in Jo)? Hold the left Shift with your left pinky.
More Shift tricks: Shift + arrow keys select text, Shift + click selects everything between two spots, and Shift + Tab moves backward.
Windows, Mac and Chromebook
Windows
Pressing Shift five times in a row asks if you want to turn on Sticky Keys, which lets you press shortcut keys one at a time.
Mac
Labeled shift with ⇧. Works the same as on Windows.
Chromebook
Works the same. Shortcuts with Shift often do the "opposite": Ctrl + Shift + Tab goes to the previous tab.
Which finger presses it?
Use your pinkies: left pinky for left Shift, right pinky for right Shift. Always use the Shift on the opposite side from the letter.
Fun fact
On typewriters, Shift really shifted. Pressing it lifted the whole heavy carriage or typebars so a different part of each metal letter hit the paper: the capital.
Keep learning
- Practice the reach in Lesson 22: Right Shift Capitals.
- More keys: Caps Lock, Ctrl key, Tab key, Enter key.
- See every keyboard key explained.
- Names of all the symbols: Keyboard Characters and Meanings.
Quick drill: find the Shift 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.
Typing drill
Now use the Shift key for real. Type the words below.
Shift key FAQ
Which Shift key should I use?
The one on the opposite side from the letter you are typing. Capital A? Use right Shift. Capital L? Use left Shift.
What is the difference between Shift and Caps Lock?
Shift makes capitals only while you hold it, and it also types top symbols like ! and ?. Caps Lock stays on until you press it again, and only changes letters.
What does Shift do on number keys?
It types the symbol on the top half of the key, such as ! on 1 and @ on 2.