accesskey (attribute)

The accesskey global attribute provides a hint for generating a keyboard shortcut for the current element. This attribute consists of a space-separated list of characters (one single Unicode code point). The browser uses the first one that exists on the computer keyboard layout.

The operation to activate the accesskey depends on browser and its platform.

	Windows	Linux	Mac
Firefox	Alt + Shift + key		On Firefox 14 or newer, Control + Alt + key On Firefox 13 or older, Control + key
Internet Explorer	Alt + key	N/A
Google Chrome	Alt + key		Control + Alt + key
Safari	Alt + key	N/A	Control + Alt + key
Opera	Shift + Esc opens a contents list which are accessible by accesskey, then, can choose an item by pressing key

Note that Firefox can customize the required modifier key by user's preferences.

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard The definition of 'accesskey' in that specification.	Living Standard	No change from latest snapshot, HTML5.1
HTML5.1 The definition of 'accesskey' in that specification.	Recommendation	Snapshot of WHATWG HTML Living Standard, no change from HTML5
HTML5 The definition of 'accesskey' in that specification.	Recommendation	Snapshot of WHATWG HTML Living Standard. From HTML 4.01 Specification, several characters can be set as the accesskey. Also, it can be set on any element.
HTML 4.01 Specification The definition of 'accesskey' in that specification.	Recommendation	Only supported on <a>, <area>, <button>, <input>, <label>, <legend> and <textarea>

Browser compatibility

See also

• All global attributes.