Keyboard modifier and control symbols
The glyphs printed on keys and repeated in menus to show a shortcut. Grouped because they are learned the same way and looked up the same way: a reader sees an unfamiliar mark beside a menu item and has no name for it. Several carry mechanical history — shift and tab are named for what a typewriter physically did, and the enter arrow draws the path of a carriage return.
Everyday & digital
Command key symbol
A looped square with four outward corners, marking the Mac command key.
Everyday & digital
Shift key symbol
A hollow upward arrow, marking the shift key.
Everyday & digital
Tab key symbol
A right-pointing arrow meeting a vertical bar, marking the tab key.
Everyday & digital
Enter key symbol
An arrow turning down then left, marking the enter or return key.
Everyday & digital
Escape key symbol
An arrow leaving a circle, marking the escape key.