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40d:Controls

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This article is about an older version of DF.

This document contains a list of the default controls for Dwarf Fortress as of version v0.27.169.32a. Controls may be customized through the use of the EscEnter menu or by editing the file data/init/interface.txt, but this is not recommended for new players.

Controls are usually listed on the bottom of the window or next to the respective option when you have opened a menu.

Arrows are shown on the edges of the screen if more options are available beyond the screen. Use the Interface keys to scroll through the list of options.

For purposes of the game, note that any key designated in uppercase means to hold Shift while tapping that key. For instance, V means to press Shift+v.

Interface[edit]

  • + - Next option / Increase quantity
  • - - Previous option / Decrease quantity
  • * - Next page
  • / - Previous page
  • - Next option
  • - Previous option
  • - Next column
  • - Previous column
  • PgUp - Next page/screen
  • PgDn - Previous page/screen

When it is possible to scroll the map while a menu is open, the arrow keys cannot be used to select menu options; instead, the +, -, *, and / keys are repurposed to allow selection from menus.

  • F11 - Toggle Fullscreen
  • F1 - Save World Parameters from creation screen
  • F6 - Load World Parameters from creation screen
  • F1-F9 - Toggle selected biome while on embark map
  • F9 - Exit certain text menus (Fortress naming, Trade goods menu, ...)
  • F1-ShiftF8 - Jump to bookmarked map point (Set via hotkeys menu)


  • ? - Help
  • ; - Movies / Stop Recording
  • ;l - Load a Moving Record
  • ;p - Play the Active Moving Record
  • ;r - Start Recording (overwrites active record)
  • ;s - Save the Active Moving Record
  • Tab - Change mode (useful for enlarging Unreadable menus)
  • Esc - Options


  • Space - Cancel
  • Enter - Select

World[edit]

Move cursor / scroll map:

Home
Northwest

North
PgUp
Northeast

West
 
East
End
Southwest

South
PgDn
Southeast

Or, with the numeric keypad:

7
Northwest
8
North
9
Northeast
4
West
  6
East
1
Southwest
2
South
3
Southeast

Hold Shift while pressing the above keys to move the cursor very rapidly. Note that some users may experience "stuck keys" and other glitches unless Num Lock is off.

  • > - Down a level (Z-Axis)
  • < - Up a level (Z-Axis)
  • Ctrl5 - Down a level (Z-Axis)
  • Shift5 - Up a level (Z-Axis)

Adventure[edit]

  • a - View announcements
  • A - Attack an adjacent creature / Change mode to wrestle
  • [b]
  • c - Combat preferences
  • C - Center screen on yourself
  • d - Drop an item
  • D - Date/time
  • e - Eat or drink something
  • f - Fire a projectile
  • g - Pickup an item
  • [h]
  • i - Inventory
  • I - Interact with an object in an advanced way
  • [j]
  • k - Talk to somebody
  • l - Look around
  • L - Search the nearby area very carefully
  • m - Change movement preferences (e.g. swimming)
  • [n]
  • [o]
  • p - Put an item in a container
  • P - Temperature
  • Q - Adventure log
  • r - Remove an item you are wearing or from a container
  • s - Stand or lie down
  • S - Sneak
  • t - Throw an item
  • T - Travel
  • u - Interact with a building, furniture or mechanism
  • [v]
  • w - Wear an item
  • W - Weather
  • [x]
  • [y]
  • z - Status
  • Z - Sleep
  • Space - Advance/clear messages
  • . - Wait for a step

Travel[edit]

  • > - Visit location
  • c - Start/stop cloud viewing
  • Q - Adventure log

Fortress[edit]

Building List[edit]

Building Placement[edit]

Size/Direction

  u
Increase height
North orientation
 
h
Decrease width
West orientation
  k
Increase width
East orientation
  m
Decrease height
South orientation
 

Orientation (Bridge)

  w
Raises ↑
 
a
Raises ←
s
Retracts
d
Raises →
  x
Raises ↓
 

Designation List[edit]

Mouse[edit]

Some screens also support the mouse, allowing you to use the left button to select options:

Designations
Use the left button to select and place designations, right button to position cursor without designation.
Nobles and Administrators
Status > Stone
Music and Sound
Name Fortress
Name Group
Move Goods to/from Depot