Cyberpunk 2077 Keyboard - Controls

The keyboard controls in Cyberpunk 2077 are a blend of standard first-person shooter (FPS) conventions and deep RPG hotkeys designed to navigate the dense systems of Night City. While the default WASD layout is familiar, the complexity of netrunning, braindances, and vehicle combat necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the PC control scheme. Core Movement and Interaction

Basic navigation follows the traditional PC gaming archetype, but includes specific toggles for stealth and speed: WASD: General movement and vehicle steering. Space: Jump.

Left-Shift: Sprint (Toggle by default; Hold version is available on Right-Shift). C / Left-Ctrl: Crouch (Toggle / Hold). F: Primary Interaction (talk, loot, open doors). V: Call Vehicle. Combat and Cyberware

Combat requires quick access to weapons and tactical gadgets, often managed through the mouse and number row: Left-Click (LMB): Shoot or Melee attack. Right-Click (RMB): Aim Down Sights (ADS) or Block. 1, 2, 3: Direct weapon selection. 4: Fists or Melee. R: Reload.

E: Use Cyberware (e.g., Sandevistan, Berserk, or optical camo). Middle Mouse Button: Use Combat Gadget (grenades). X: Use Consumable (health stims). Tab: Scan (Hold) / Caps Lock: Scan (Toggle). UI and Menu Shortcuts

Because the game features extensive inventory and character management, several "hidden" or undocumented shortcuts help skip deep menu diving: I: Main Menu / Inventory. O: Direct Inventory. M: Map. J: Journal / Quest Log. K: Crafting and Upgrading. T: Open Phone. Z: Open Notifications or Quickhack Details. Advanced Customization and File Editing

A common critique from the PC community is that several keybindings are "hardcoded" and cannot be changed through the in-game settings menu, such as the 'F' interact key or the arrow keys for movement.

To bypass these restrictions, players often manually edit configuration files:

The keyboard and mouse control scheme in Cyberpunk 2077 is the definitive way to experience its fast-paced first-person combat, though it presents a steep learning curve for driving and high-speed traversal. While the default WASD layout is standard for most PC shooters, the sheer number of specialized inputs—ranging from quick-hacking and scanning to cyberware activation—requires a strategic approach to keybinding and muscle memory. The Core Movement and Interaction Suite

At its foundation, Cyberpunk 2077 utilizes a traditional FPS movement set. W, A, S, and D control basic movement, while Space handles jumping. However, the game’s RPG roots introduce layers of complexity to these basic inputs. For instance, interaction is mapped to F by default, a choice that often feels cramped for players used to "E" as the primary action key. Sprinting is handled by Left-Shift, and crouching—crucial for stealth and mitigating recoil—is mapped to C for toggling or Left-Ctrl for holding. cyberpunk 2077 keyboard controls

Following the 2.0 Update, movement became significantly more kinetic with the introduction of a dedicated Dash mechanic. While some players stick to double-tapping movement keys to dash, many power users remap this to a Side Mouse Button or E to allow for "dash-jumping"—a high-momentum technique where a player dashes and jumps mid-air to clear massive distances. Combat and Cyberware Management

Weapon handling on a keyboard offers superior precision for headshots compared to a controller's analog sticks. The default combat layout includes: Left-Click: Fire weapon or perform a quick melee attack.

Right-Click: Aim down sights (ADS) or block with melee weapons. R: Reload. Q: Quick attack or dedicated melee button. Middle Mouse Button: Use combat gadgets like grenades.

E: Activate Cyberware (such as the Sandevistan or Optical Camo).

X: Use a consumable, typically a MaxDoc or Bounce Back healing item.

A common point of friction for PC players is the Middle Mouse Button for grenades. Because scrolling also cycles weapons, players frequently trigger accidental grenade throws while trying to switch guns. Many veterans recommend remapping gadgets to Q and moving the "Quick Attack" elsewhere to prevent these explosive accidents. Scanning and Hacking Interface

The "Netrunner" playstyle introduces a unique UI layer that relies heavily on the Tab key. Holding Tab opens the scanner, which slows time and highlights interactive objects or enemies. While in this mode, the mouse is used to highlight targets, and specific keys (usually F or Mouse Wheel) are used to cycle through available quickhacks. For players who find holding the key tedious, the game includes a Caps Lock toggle option for scanning in the settings menu. The Challenge of Keyboard Driving

The most significant drawback of keyboard controls is vehicle handling. Unlike a controller’s triggers and analog sticks, which allow for gradual acceleration and smooth turning, a keyboard is "binary"—the keys are either 100% on or 100% off. This often makes cars feel like they are "sliding on ice".

Key Features

The Mixed / Subjective Zone

1. Vehicle Controls – The Biggest Complaint
Driving with WASD is serviceable but floaty. Cars oversteer, bikes are twitchy, and there’s no progressive throttle (it’s 0% or 100%). I strongly recommend rebinding “Accelerate” to mouse left-click or using a controller for races. That said, you can get used to it – tap W instead of holding it down. But it’s not Cyberpunk’s strength. The keyboard controls in Cyberpunk 2077 are a

2. Default Key Sprawl
CDPR went overboard with keys by default. Example:

• C = Crouch (toggle/hold)
• Z = Scanner zoom? (Who uses this?)
• X = Holster weapon
• B = Body heat converter?
  You will absolutely rebind. I moved grenades to G, consumables to H, and vehicle radio to R. The default layout feels like a console port’s “advanced” preset – functional but not ergonomic.

3. Double-Tap Dodge
By default, double-tapping A/D dodges sideways. In combat, this means you’ll accidentally dodge off a ledge or into an enemy while strafing. Highly recommend turning off “Double-Tap to Dodge” in settings and binding dodge to a single key (e.g., Left Alt or a mouse thumb button). Once you do, movement becomes excellent.

Final Verdict

For combat, stealth, hacking, and exploration on foot, keyboard and mouse in Cyberpunk 2077 is superior – fast, precise, and satisfyingly lethal. For driving and casual exploring, it’s second best to a controller.

If you’re willing to spend 15 minutes rebinding keys and adjusting settings, KBM is excellent. If you refuse to customize controls, you’ll find the defaults clumsy. CDPR clearly prioritized console gamepads, but the PC version still gives you the tools to make KBM feel great. Just don’t expect GTA driving physics out of your WASD keys.

Recommended for: Aim-focused players, netrunners, and anyone who hates auto-aim.
Not ideal for: Pure driving enthusiasts or players who refuse to rebind keys.

Mastering the keyboard controls in Cyberpunk 2077 is essential for surviving the neon-soaked streets of Night City. While the default WASD setup is standard for FPS games, the game includes unique keys for hacking, scanning, and managing your cyberware. Core Exploration & Combat

The standard movement and combat keys are designed for quick reactions during intense firefights.

Movement: WASD to move, Space to jump, and Left-Shift to sprint. Combat Essentials: Left-Click: Shoot / Primary Attack. Right-Click (Hold): Aim / Block. R: Reload. Q: Quick Attack / Parry. Tactical Tools: E: Use Cyberware (like Sandevistan or Berserk). Middle Mouse Button: Use Combat Gadget (Grenades). X: Use Consumable (Health Item). Tab (Hold): Open Scanner to identify targets or hacks. Navigation & Menus

Quickly accessing your inventory or journal is vital for tracking your progression and loot. F: Primary Interaction (talk to NPCs, pick up loot). V: Call Vehicle. I / O: Open Inventory. M: Open Map. J: Open Journal (Quests). K: Open Crafting menu. Key Features The Mixed / Subjective Zone 1

Watch this quick walkthrough to see how to navigate and customize these key bindings in-game: