Cyberpunk 2077 is a game of intricate systems—from hacking enemy neural networks to driving through the winding streets of Watson at breakneck speeds. While the game supports controllers, the Keyboard & Mouse (KBM) setup offers superior precision for aiming and quicker navigation through menus and hacking minigames.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the default keyboard controls, categorized by gameplay mechanics, along with tips on how to optimize your setup for the streets.
These are your bread-and-butter keys for traversing Night City on foot.
SpaceLeft Ctrl (Toggle or Hold).
Space (When approaching a low wall or ledge).Double Tap W, A, S, or D.
| Key | Action |
|-----|--------|
| X (double tap) | Activate Mantis Blades / Monowire (equip/unequip) |
| Z (hold) | Gorilla Arms – charged heavy attack |
| C (tap) | Crouch (default) |
| C (hold while moving) | Slide + activate optical camo (if equipped) |
| V + scroll wheel | Cycle grenade types without opening inventory |
1. No Contextual Hold vs. Toggle for Crouch/Sprint
You can choose toggle or hold, but some actions (like aiming down sights while sliding) feel inconsistent. Sometimes you’ll un-crouch when you don’t mean to. It’s minor but noticeable over long sessions. cyberpunk 2077 keyboard controls
2. Mini-Game Controls
Breach protocol and the new Phantom Liberty car unlocking mini-game are fine with a mouse, but they clearly expect a controller’s stick movement. Dragging the mouse for timed hex codes feels imprecise. It works, but it’s not elegant.
3. Key Prompts in UI
Even in version 2.0, the UI will occasionally show controller buttons (Press A) instead of keyboard keys (Press Space). Swapping weapons in the inventory while using KBM can also feel like it was designed for a D-pad. Not game-breaking, but immersion-breaking.
| Action | Key | | :--- | :--- | | Accelerate | W | | Brake / Reverse | S | | Steer Left / Right | A / D | | Handbrake | Space | | Horn | Left Ctrl (press) | | Switch Lights | Alt (press) | | Change Camera | Q | | Exit Vehicle | F |
The default Cyberpunk 2077 keyboard controls are functional, but they are not optimized for high-level play. After 200+ hours in Night City, here is how you should rebind your keys for peak performance. Cyberpunk 2077 is a game of intricate systems—from
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.
Cyberpunk 2077 , the default keyboard controls follow the standard WASD layout for exploration and combat. You can view or change these at any time by navigating to Settings > Key Bindings Movement & Exploration W / A / S / D : Move Forward / Left / Back / Right Left Shift : Sprint (Hold) / Right Shift : Sprint (Toggle) : Crouch (Hold) / : Crouch (Toggle) : Interaction (Open doors, talk, pick up items) : Call Vehicle : Use Consumable (Health) Combat & Weapons Left-Click : Shoot / Quick Attack (Melee) Right-Click : Aim / Block (Melee) : Reload / Restart Braindance : Quick Attack / Rewind Braindance These are your bread-and-butter keys for traversing Night
: Use Cyberware Systems / Combat Gadgets / Fast-Forward Braindance Middle Mouse Button : Use Combat Gadget / Tag Enemy : Cycle Weapon / Draw/Holster (Double Tap) : Select First / Second / Third Weapon : Scan (Hold) / Tag Enemy UI & Menus : Inventory : Crafting : Journal (Quests) : Menu button (for some interfaces) : Accelerate / Brake : Steer Left / Right : Handbrake : Cycle Radio : Exit Vehicle
If you find certain actions awkward, you can fully customize these in the Settings > Key Bindings Quick Save: Get into the habit of hitting frequently; Night City is unpredictable! Scanning Items:
quickly acts as a "ping" to highlight lootable items nearby without staying in full scan mode.
If you're having trouble with specific keys not responding, you can find troubleshooting tips on the CD Projekt Red Support Page best keybind optimizations for stealth builds or high-speed combat? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Fix: This is often a conflict with IME (Input Method Editor) for non-English keyboards. Press Windows Key + Spacebar to ensure you are in pure English keyboard mode.