Personally, I have quickfind automatically enabled: I pops out as soon as I start typing on the page.

Ctrl+T goes for me too :)

MikiP

@Recoil: I never knew about that "/" one - nice tip, thanks!

portobello_man

No '/'? It's quickfind. :D

Try it. Far more useful than Ctrl-F.

Regardless, that would be my third place. First place is definitely Ctrl-T. Second goes to Ctrl-Shift-T. It's really sad, I'm like an addict.

Recoil

tough choice... i was torn between cmd+t, cmd+enter and cmd+ +/-. i guess i just need all of my shortcuts.

justin hileman

Ctrl + L for quick URL input is a second favorite.

TunaFish

Ctrl+tab, or Ctrl+...mostly the first one.

gets so annoying when i'm at school and i have to have WINDOWS of things open, not TABS, and i keep trying Ctrl+tab, and i have to Alt+Tab

mistercow.pnoy

Also, Ctrl + (tab number) is essential.

doctorj

@Recoil: Try the extension called FAYT (stands for Find As You Type) to get QuickFind without a keyboard shortcut!

singularity0821

@skilled1: .net is gotten via Shift+Enter

doctorj

meh, also from the list it is CTRL + T although it would be between CTRL + W as well

skilled1

Hard to choose as I'm so familiar with using them all.

However I normally use Alt+D instead of Ctrl+L as I can type it with one hand.

doctorj

FYI: CTRL + Shift + Enter adds www .org as well

however i have yet to figure out .net

skilled1

I use Ctrl+W extensively. I'm not sure though why it wasn't included in you list.

bnosach

For me it's cmd+t, and in other browsers I also miss the possibility to just type the domain name (ie "pimpajoentje") and hit enter and Firefox automatically takes me to [www.pimpajoentje.be] .

Greet

Ctrl+W, close tab/window. I can open tabs with the mouse without too much hassle (double click on the tab bar), but nothing beats Ctrl+W for closing tabs or windows. Without it I'm lost to finding that small X on the corner.

Mircea Suciu

Alt-D to get to the address bar. Ctrl-Enter is pretty good. And / for find as you type. Incidentally, this gets overridden in Gmail. Does anyone know how to reset it back to normal?

ben.shepherd

I have voted Ctrl-L here, although I actually use Alt-d like some other commenters.

Concerning the find-as-you-type options, I am curiuos as to how many-people have reverted Firefox' behaviour to the way it used to be:
- find-as-you-type enabled to search ONLY links
- start searching by pressing '/' to search for all text.

I have also tweaked firefox' config to show the same find-panel as the Ctrl-F with find as you type (it really bugged me that the 'Highlight all' option could not be selected. I guess I should try and lookup the keyboard-shortcut for that one... That could save me seconds everyday!

muffinimal

I don't get the Ctrl-T obsession...why not use the Tab mix plus extension to set the default action for typed URLs to open in a new window, then use Alt-Enter to override it if you want to open a URL in the same tab, I know I do that far less often than I need to open things in a new tab.

Also where's F7 to toggle caret browsing? (Try it, it's fun) And also FYI Ctrl-F12 on my PC will reopen a closed tab like Ctrl-Shift-T, but uses fewer fingers to do it.

blackheart-uk

Space Bar = Page Down

Besides that, it's Ctrl-F followed up by Ctrl-T for me.

anthonylitz

Ctrl+Enter is really becoming quite useless in Firefox 3 (beta3).
And my choice goes definitely to my beloved Ctrl+T.

Vanderwomble

Like Mircea, Ctrl+W (delete Tab) is a must.

And / to search in the text of the current page.

hombrelobo

what about mouse shortcuts ? i use mouse gestures and whenever im on a public computer or using a friend's laptop i find myself frustrated that my 4 basic mouse gestures aren't there (forward backward new tab and refresh)

yazan

Oops, should have read all the way through the comments on the / bit.

mediaphile

It's definitely Command + W for me. I often open new tabs with Command + T, but I also have all my links set to open in new tabs by default, so I end up closing a lot more tabs than I actually open. A close runner up would be Control + Tab and Control + Shift + Tab to change tabs.

Also, why use Command + F when you can just press "/" ?

mediaphile

I am so efficient *cough*lazy*cough that I have created some modified shortcuts with AHK.
General idea is using keys on the home row + ALT
Very good for laptop use:

alt+a = history back
alt=s = history forward
alt+d = address bar (this is actually built in)
alt+r = alt+d, enter (used for testing webpages)
alt+j = down arrow
alt+k = up arrow
alt+l = page down
alt+; = page up
lastly, alt+h for home (I hate the standard, alt+Home)

Here's the script:
#IfWinActive ahk_class MozillaUIWindowClass
!a::SendInput !{LEFT}
!s::SendInput !{RIGHT}
!j::SendInput {down}
!k::SendInput {up}
!l::SendInput {PgDn}
!;::sendinput {PgUp}
!r::SendInput !d{ENTER}
^h::SendInput !{Home}
!h::SendInput !{Home}
#ifWinActive ;end if

mt256

I adore the new '/' tip. Greatest shortcut ever... Because it's actually short. And as for a new tab, I have my custom toolbar for just that. It's got all the buttons that Firefox chooses not to put in by default... Cut, copy, paste, the standards plus new tab and new window on the right side. It's fantastic. Whenever I use a friend's computer or 'another' browser, I feel like a cripple without my specialty toolbar.

dvicklund

No keyboard shortcuts for me, just mouse gestures. I hate when I'm using IE and flailing my mouse around like a moron waiting for a new tab to pop up.

mferrari

I voted for CTRL + T but I also can't live without CTRL + D (to bookmark the page) and CTRL + P (to send the page to the printer).

Mark

I know it's old-school, but I also like F11 for certain websites I need to enlarge on my browser.

rad_matter

/ is number one
Ctrl-Tab, Cmd-T, Cmd-W and F5 are close seconds...

Soli

What about Alt-G, if you have the Google toolbar installed, this automatically goes to the searchbox.

scokar

I use F6 to go to the address bar. Can't live without it (and of course CTRL+Shift+T to get that tab back you just closed by accident).

FryingDutchman

How about Ctrl+U for getting the source code and stealing that marvellous bit of webdesign you just spotted?

I certainly use that one a lot.

thomash

I have to agree with the people who are saying CTRL + W. It's just so much easier to close windows.

tahnok

"You sit down at a computer running that other browser and you hit Ctrl+T to open a new tab, and... nothing happens. Ctrl+T! Ctrl+T! You mash the keyboard and gnash your teeth and finally, begrudgingly, reach for the mouse."

Ctrl + T works with IE unless you're still on version 6.

BenPoopken

1. SHIFT+CTRL+R, is a hard refresh from the server.
2. ALT+D to get to the address bar
3. CRTL+W to close a window
4. CTRL+K to search.

fusion27

CTRL+E is very useful to me.

A3sthetix

The CTRL+F shortcut doesn't work properly for XML docs. '/' sounds like something I'll have to try!

A3sthetix

Ctrl+L for me. The only time I get annoyed using a different browser is when I have to use a kiosk somewhere on campus with one of those balls to move the mouse and buttons to press that aren't part of the ball. Everytime I go press Ctrl+L so that I won't have to use that stupid excuse for a mouse.

It hasn't worked yet.

waffles

Alt-Enter for opening URLs or searches in a new tab.

greeze

I didn't even know about CTRL + L; I've been using ALT + D. Curiously, I think they do the same thing...

razordu30

Oops... Ctrl + Shift + Enter is .org >_<

apu95

Definitely ctrl+t, followed closely by F6 to highlight whatever's in the address bar, followed by ctrl+f.

IridiumRE

In order of usage:
Ctrl + T (new tab)
Ctrl + F4 (close current tab)
Ctrl + Enter [.com]
Shift + Enter [.net]
Ctrl + Alt + Enter [.org]
[anything] (starts finding as I type [as long as option is enabled])

apu95

ctrl + tab or ctrl + [number], followed by ctrl + t.

ctrl + e is also a crucial one - cursor to search bar.

theleahsaur

:doh!:

Ctrl-W!

:/doh!:

cJw

Ctrl Shift T, followed by Ctrl L, followed by Alt+Enter to open urls and searches in new tabs.

Jonn

Ctrl-T, type domainname, Ctrl-Enter... and now that I type that out, you think there'd be an easier way to open a new link in a new tab sans mouse.

I can't say I'm a fan of the '/' over ctrl-f - my left hand lives on the keyboard, not my right, and I don't "know" the '/' key anywhere as near as well as I "know" ctrl-f. Hell, on a good day, using ctrl-f allows me to open search, type what i'm looking for on the page, then hit 'esc' to close the find dialog all without moving my right hand from the mouse.

Efficiency ftw! :p

cJw

Can I change mine to Ctrl-W--now that I read the comments, it truly is what I use the most that is awkward any other way.

The comments are good here. I now have {F6} for when my pinky gets tired, and Alt-D which is much easier than Ctrl-L! Let's just hope indecision doesn't set in too soon....

Cornflower

CTRL+T and CTRL+W are the ones I use the most, with CTRL-F and CTRL+R as close 2nds.

Chris

Ctrl+W or / quicksearch.

jaysonwhelpley

Ctrl + r does the same as F5 and you don't have to leave home row to hit it.

Ctrl + [num] to jump tabs is definitely one of my favorites though.

DahCheet

I've got enter set to make new tabs by default, and my switch-tab buttons are F2 and F3 (a remnant from another, obscure browser from ages past). I have a habit of scrolling through all my pages and refreshing them before checking them one at a time.

Yeah, it's more or less different enough for me to automatically switch hotkey sets without the icky realization transition.

Reilaos, Man of Destiny

@Jonn: i think i love you... o/`

you have no idea how happy i am learning about this shortcut!

Collaboratory

@bnosach: Ditto!!

guibom

ctrl + h History

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Junkan

Alt+D & CMD+L

slmcdee

cmd-space to invoke Quicksilver. then the power is MINE! muahahaha

twins8791

i voted for ctrl + enter for adding www. and .com

but i'd like to add to that one...

if you type google and do ctrl + enter it adds the www. and .com, but you can also do shift + enter for www. and .net, and ctrl + shift + enter for www. and .org

makes my life so much easier

create

/

primitiveworker

The one I would have voted for is "/" to find text (in lieu of Ctrl + F)

ebcindc

cmd + w to close tabs or window
tab - moves the cursor from the address bar to the search box

Mike Panic

The biggest thing that annoys me is the search-as-you-type. I'm actually catching myself trying that in all my applications. I have it enabled to search as soon as I begin typing, so there is no keyboard shortcut. Just start typing.

But as shortcuts go, Ctrl+T, Ctrl+L, and Ctrl+K are now burned into my consciousness. I can't stand IE just for those three shortcuts.

xious

I couldn't decide between Ctrl-T, Ctrl-F, Ctrl-K and the awesome Ctrl-Tab, which gets me between tabs. So I chose OTHER.

rockstarlibrarian

@bnosach: Same here.

JiveMasterT

I didn't know most of these. I feel my browsing life is about to change :-)

Leah

How can Ctrl+T be called a Firefox shortcut? It's the New Tab shortcut for Opera and Internet Explorer.

I'd have to say my favorite shortcut is ctrl+f.

Geoff

i'm with BlackheartUK - i don't think i've ever used CTRL-T, thanks to Tab Mix Plus.

murph

How about Ctrl-Shift-Del? Clearing my browser history for the sake of privacy is my #1 priority. Oh, I surely use all the others mentioned here, too...

bswilson

I use Control-T, Shift-Enter, and Alt-D about the same number of times. Alt-D was the reason I switched back to Internet Explorer from Opera and then jumped ship onto Firefox when I tested it.

Marce

I voted for Control-F, but I think I use Command-S about as much. (Not sure what it is on a PC.) It's really handy when you're saving a lot of pictures to the same folder. Yes, I am an art nerd. :)

Beki

Like so many others in these comments, I think the best shortcut in Firefox is the '/' key for searching in the page. (For those who think this is a new feature, it's not. It's been there since the beginning).

In addition, hitting F3 to find the next occurrence of the search term, and SHIFT-F3 to find the previous. I also love the way the search just automatically wraps around from the bottom of the page to the top, without stopping to ask for directions.

On those few times that I have to use IE, it's when I have to use their horrible find in page functionality, which actually makes you choose 'Direction' of search, that sends me scurrying back to Firefox.

Dean

I totes just made a screen shot of those. Awesome!

Maulleigh

Ctl + c

Capone

On my macbook, F5 is volume control, so I hit cmd + r to refresh.

And my fav is cmd+t.

XphillyX

i like / for search
i like ' for searching just links and pressing enter to open them
i like cmd+g to skipping through results
i really really like cmd+1, cmd+2, cmd+n for switching to the first, second, for nth tab

and oh yeah.. cmd+k (search box - cmd+up and down to switch between search engines) and cmd+l (address bar) are a must too!!

i just love em all!

velkr0

and BTW, if the "other browser" is referring to IE7, Ctrl+T opens a new tab there as well.

zkam

@muffinimal - you can quicksearch only links by using the ' key (that's the single quote)

Also as someone pointed out, the / is overridden to take you to the search box in Gmail, AND Google Reader (possibly others too)

zkam

Weird poll, they're all essential, incl. mouse gestures.

lmjabreu

It's a close race between ctrl+l, ctrl+w,and ctrl+enter for me, there the ones that I freak out about when they don't work on other browsers.

oldredhat

Z & X. I have the SwiftTabs extension installed which allows you to map Next and Previous Tab commands to any key combination you'd like. I have it set to Z (prev) and X (next). The extension is smart enough to disable when the cursor is in a text field, so it causes no problems. It's truly the one extension/key combo I could not live without.

MrDys

Realistically, "/" is the one I use the most. Usually, it's "/", followed by the text of the link I'm looking for, followed immediately by "enter" to follow the link.

But, I have to put in a plug for "F7". Caret browsing mode is so cool and fun for keyboard-only operation.

dharris

@XphillyX - go to the keyboard preference pane and check the "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys". I find that I use these more often than I use the sound or brightness controls.

dharris

Alt+D (to go to the location bar)

Though what I miss most when browsing in any other browser is 'Super Drag'n'Drop'.

miracleone

Ctrl+T and Ctrl+Enter are my top 2. I actually got really lazy and bound one of the thumb buttons on my mouse to pop open new tabs. It's pretty handy.

kazoni

Ctrl + T and Ctrl+W and Ctrl+K are my most used ones.

Bobarkinator

I use ctrl+g for "search next" on the page.
I still haven't found the shortcut for search previous, anyone can help?

with_a_pH

It'd be a close tie between F5 and backspace for me.

kirnkorner2001

Backspace (Back)

fleetwood

ctrl+T (open tab)
ctrl-W (close tab)
ctrl-pgdn (next tab)
ctrl-pgup (previous tab)
/ (quick find)
ctrl-F (find)
alt-N (find next)

Nepkarel

Ctrl+T winning? I don't get it. My Google search box auto opens results in a new tab. My Gmail and G-Reader notifiers auto open in new tabs. If I want a link to open in a new tab I Ctrl-Click it (which is more efficient than right-click-open-link-in-new-tab). Ctrl+Click also works in your bookmarks menu, and when the bookmarks sidebar is open. I almost never need to open a blank new tab... Why do so many people use Ctrl+T which then requires another step of navigation in the blank new tab? That's inefficient. Oh, and Crtl+T isn't exclusive to Firefox either. Even Ctrl+Shift+T and Ctrl+F have the same behaviour in IE7.

More important for me is a mod to Ctrl+Enter via the add-on "URL Suffix". Since I live in NZ I wanted a way of getting http... and .co.nz frequently (as for http... & .com via Crtl+Enter).

Most of these "Firefox keyboard shortcuts" are generic to most browsers. A better poll would be to ask the readers how they modded Firefox to get a custom keyboard behaviour they can't live without.

thegreypilgrim

@DogHead: Actually, I just realized that I scrollwheel click to open new/close tabs more than I use the keyboard shortcuts.

DogHead

Mostly tab navigation like ctrl+(shift)+tab and ctrl+F4 to close tabs. Ctrl+clicking on links to open in new tab is probably a tie.

Tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs tabs.

DogHead

@with_a_pH:

On the Mac "search previous" is Cmd+Shift+G. I would assume it's Ctrl+Shift+G on Windoze.

Vic

Lately, I have kept Gcal, Gmail, and Greader open all at once, in the first three tabs, and I have used (CMD or ctrl) 1,2,3,and 9 to select them. 9 selects the last tab (which is the last opened background tab for me, and 1,2,3 select the google service. But, I use this in addition to most of the ones already listed. Also, ctrl/cmd r refreshes, in case you don't like to use the function keys.

NathanK

CTRL-T, then CTRL-F I guess. Didn't know about CTRL-Shift-T.

The keyword searches are the biggest though.

farlane

    I voted for control-T, but I actually use Alt-B more often, to pull down the bookmarks menu. Alt-B-first letter of the bookmark puts you right in the neighborhood...

    Control-T is for when you're about to post a comment and spout off, but then, you decide that maybe you'd better check your facts, first. Ctrl-T! New research tab, and you leave the page your partially filled out comment is on, alone.

AcidReign

I use them all, but the most invaluable would have to be ctrl+shift+t to reopen my last closed tab, especially when I'm particularly clumsy on a given day.

stncttr908

The delete key to go back a page. Couldn't browse without it.

lkramer

cmd-# to switch tabs. e.g., cmd-1 to switch to the first tab, cmd-2 for the second. i switch tabs much more often than i search...

kelle

These are my most used shortcuts.
ctrl t (New tab)
F6 (location bar)
/ (search as you type)
ctrl K (search bar)
ctrl J (downloads in Windows , in Ubuntu it was something else)

charish

The touchpad on old Dell Inspiron 8100 has been broken for over a year. In order to get my lifehacker fix I use Alt-D (google is assigned the "find" keyword, so I've gotten rid of that useless search box), and of course the Space bar to page down. I also alt-Left-arrow and alt-Right-arrow to go forward and back.

ricardo.slacker

i'm using mousegestures, so i only need
- ALT + ENTER to open adress or search in new tab
- SHIFT + 7 for quicksearch

other things always done with mousegestures
- size letters or pictures
- open links in new tabs
- back and forward in history

dont need more in everyday use

crispybits

Center-click on the mouse (ie: click-wheel; or thumb button on my mouse):
C-click a link, it opens in another tab;
C-click that tab--snap!--it's gone.

It's quick and dangerously efficient when reading, say, a Wikipedia article full of links. It's not unusual for me to be browsing 10+ tabs in a matter of a few seconds of reading. Then Ctrl-Tab, Ctrl-W, Ctrl-F, etc. come in handy for skimming and cleaning up all the pages I'm not really going to read anyway.

Ctrl+Left-Click does the same.

myonta

tough choice between ctrl-t, ctrl-f and F5 - use all of 'em!

trystan830

I can't remember the last time I used Ctrl + T. If I need to open something in a new tab, I use Alt + Enter. This is by far my most used keyboard sequence: Ctrl + K, type a search, Alt + Enter. That seems much faster than any scenario that I can envision using Ctrl + T for.

That in combination with middle clicks works great for me.

matchsmalone

Ctrl-K to go to the search box and Ctrl-Up or Ctrl-Down to cycle between search engines.

and

Ctrl-Shift-T to undo close tab

are great!

nachoherrera

All of the above + space to scroll down!

Sascha Konietzke

' : find-as-you-type only within links on the page.
I also prefer Alt+D to get to the address bar as it's a more natural movement than reaching *all* that way down to the Ctrl key ;-D

braklet

Alt+Enter to open adress in new tab.
Ctrl+Tab to rotate throught pages.
Cmd+W to colose page

snadizz

Tip: The plugin asdf-jkl [code.google.com]

Easy way to learn shortcuts...

rirofal

Ctrl-T for me, definitely. Although I usually do ctrl-click if I want to load it in a new tab.
Ctrl-L is a far second.

New tab FTW!

Trinsec

Wow - didn't know about "/" either! I'm loving it already.

As far as my most used shortcut, it tends to be Ctrl+L - I have so many keyword searches, I'm always hitting "g" for Google, "w" for Wikipedia, "scholar" for Google Scholar, "you" for YouTube.

Apparently, I'm in the minority, according to the results so far.... ;)

dionymnia

Ctrl + T is dead useful, but for me it's all about mouse gestures..

rodreegez

cmd+w for closing the current tab, cmd+mouseclick for opening a link in a new background tab.

hanshuber123

I had no idea about the crt+shift+T function to load a previously, thats amazing...Crt+T still dominates my life though

coverofnight