Elite Dangerous: Keyboard Controls
I've compiled a list of Elite Dangerous default keyboard controls as I've struggled to find an easy to read mobile friendly version. Also included is further information on functions such as using the docking computer and taking screenshots.
Flight control
Yaw Left | A |
Yaw Right | D |
Thrust Left | Q |
Thrust Right | E |
Thrust Up | R |
Thrust Down | F |
Increase Throttle | W |
Decrease Throttle | S |
Set speed to zero | X |
Disable Flight Assist | Z |
Engine Boost | TAB |
Enable Frame Shift Drive | J |
Weapons
Cycle Next Fire Group | N |
Deploy Hardpoints (toggle) | U |
Targeting
Select Target Ahead | T |
Cycle Next Ship | G |
Select Highest Threat | H |
Cycle Next Sub System | Y |
Cooling
Silent Running | Delete |
Deploy Heat Sink | V |
Miscellaneous
Ship Lights | Insert |
Increase Sensor Zoom | Page Up |
Decrease Sensor Zoom | Page Down |
Divert Power To Engines | Up Arrow |
Divert Power To Weapons | Right Arrow |
Divert Power To Systems | Left Arrow |
Balance Power Distribution | Down Arrow |
Reset Oculus Orientation | F12 |
Deploy Cargo Scoop (toggle) | Home |
Jettison All Cargo | End |
Landing Gear | L |
Docking Computer
There is no docking computer key. To use the Docking Computer, first request docking permission with the station. Once granted fly towards the station entrance or landing bay. A prompt will appear telling you to decrease speed to active the docking computer when you are close enough.
Screenshots
Take Elite Dangerous screenshots by pressing F10. You can take a hi-res screenshot by press ALT + F10 (Solo mode only). There is no visible prompt to show a screen shot has been taken. You can remove the HUD with ALT + SHIFT + G, however you cannot remove your cockpit. Screenshots are stored in the following folder:
C:\Users\[user name]\My Pictures\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous
You should easily be able to access your Pictures folder from the start menu and go on to Frontier Developments, Elite Dangerous from there.
Power Distribution
The arrow keys change the power distribution between ship systems, engine and weapons. The 4 arrow positions map to the HUD display positions for [SYS][ENG][WEP] and [RST] and increases work as follows:
- [SYS] - increase shield resistance and recharge rate of the system capacitor used to recharge the shields and other modules.
- [ENG] - increase ship speed and manouverablilty and engine boost recharge rate.
- [WEP] - fire weapons for longer before overheating. I often use this in easy to win dogfights to get the job done quicker.
- [RST] - reset the power distribution balance equally.
Silent Running
When enabled shields shut down and heat radiators are disabled to reduce your ship's signature to near zero. Warning: heat in the ship may build up to dangerous levels. There's some doubt whether silent running alone can get you in to a station without being scanned.