Escape from Tarkov Complete Controls Guide

It is like reading a long manual.

Escape from Tarkov Partisan Trailer 10
Image via Battlestate Games

With Escape from Tarkov probably being the most complicated first-person shooter game on the market, memorizing and mastering the controls can take years or even a decade of constantly playing the game. The game’s hyper-realism focus separated it from all competitive shooters and, at the same time, created hundreds of buttons to press. Here’s the complete controls guide to Escape from Tarkov, including a section for the most useful keybinds to remember for beginner and veteran players.

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All Controls Guide for Escape from Tarkov

Most Useful Escape from Tarkov Controls to Know

Since there are so many controls to memorize in Escape from Tarkov, we’ll start with a short list of the most important keybinds that don’t come naturally to players:

ActionKeys
Switching Fire ModesB
Check Magazine/AmmoLeft Alt + T
Fix Weapon MalfunctionLeft Shift + T
Switch SightsLeft Control + RMB
Change Scope MagnificationLeft Alt + RMB
Free LookMiddle Mouse Button
Drop Backpack ShortcutDouble Tap “Z”
Hold BreathLeft Alt
Check Time and Extraction PointsDouble Tap “O”

As an Escape from Tarkov player for more than half a decade, I found these keybinds to be the most useful and forgettable keybinds when playing, with an emphasis on that Fix Weapon Malfunction button.

Here are the rest of the controls, separated into different categories.

Movement Controls Table

ActionKey
Move ForwardW
Move BackwardS
Strafe LeftA
Strafe RightD
SprintShift (Hold)
WalkCaps Lock
ProneX
CrouchC
Lean LeftQ
Lean RightE
JumpSpace
VaultingSpace
Free LookAlt (Hold)
Side Step RightAlt + E
Side Step LeftAlt + Q

Combat Controls

CombatKey
FireLeft Mouse Button
Aim Down SightsRight Mouse Button
Switch Between SightsCtrl + Right Mouse Button
Toggle Laser/LightT
Toggle Tactical Device ModeCtrl + T
ReloadR
Check AmmoLeft Alt + T
Change Firing ModeB
Check ChamberShift + T
Change Scope MagnificationCtrl + Mouse Wheel
Melee AttackV
Throw GrenadeG
Inspect WeaponL (Hold)
BlindfireAlt + W/S

Inventory Management Controls

Inventory & InteractionKey
Open InventoryTab
Contextual Interaction (Loot, Doors)F
Quick Slot 1-121-12
Examine ItemMiddle Mouse Button
Discard ItemDel
Use Health Item5
Use Painkillers4
Use Bandage6
Reload Ammo/Combine ItemsCtrl + Click
Quick Equip/Use ItemShift + Click

Communications and Emotes Controls

CommunicationKey
Open Map (if available)M
Extract LocationsDouble tap O
Voice LinesY or hold Y to choose lines
GesturesF1 - F12
Toggle Night VisionN

Miscellaneous Controls

MiscellaneousKey
Toggle Console~ (Tilde)
Open/Close SettingsEsc
ScreenshotPrtScn
Screenshot (Steam)F12

They might introduce more controls in the future as the game becomes more complicated with every wipe. Just imagine the Tripwires and the ability to cut them off with Multitools and other equipment as an action or keybind.

About the Author

Enzo Zalamea

Enzo is a staff writer at Prima Games. He began writing news, guides, and listicles related to games back in 2019. In 2024, he started writing at Prima Games covering the best new games and updates regardless of the genre. You can find him playing the latest World of Warcraft expansion, Path of Exile, Teamfight Tactics, and popular competitive shooters like Valorant, Apex Legends, and CS2. Enzo received his Bachelor's degree in Marketing Management in De La Salle University and multiple SEO certifications from the University of California, Davis.