Every default key in Project Zomboid on keyboard and mouse, the controller layout, and the two new actions on the 42.22 Pre-Release branch. Everything here can be rebound under Options, Key Bindings; if your list differs, the game is right and we are out of date. Updated for Build 42.21 Stable and 42.22 Pre-Release, November 2026.
| Key | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| W A S D | Walk | |
| Left Shift | Run | Faster than walking, costs endurance |
| Left Alt | Sprint | Cmd on macOS. Burns endurance fast |
| C | Sneak (toggle) | Quieter and harder to spot |
| Y | Walk to | Click a spot and the character walks there |
| E | Interact | Doors, windows, containers, switches; hold for repeat actions |
| Esc | Cancel action | Opens the menu when nothing is queued |
| Tab | Build / place mode | Not the inventory |
| Mouse wheel, = and . | Zoom |
| Key | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Left mouse | Attack | Swing or fire |
| Right mouse or Left Ctrl | Aim | Hold. Required to fire guns and throw |
| Space | Shove / stomp | Shoves a standing zombie, stomps a downed one |
| Left Alt (with a weapon) | Floor attack | Manual attack at a zombie on the ground |
| R | Reload | Hold for the weapon menu |
| X | Rack firearm | Chambers a round; clears a jam |
| Q | Shout | Pulls zombies toward you. Hold for the emote wheel |
The single habit that keeps people alive: Space first, then swing at the zombie on the floor. See weapons and zombies.
| Key | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I | Inventory and loot | |
| B | Crafting | |
| L | Skills | XP and levels |
| H | Health | Every wound and body temperature |
| J | Character info | |
| P | Clothing protection | Bite and scratch cover per body part |
| M | World map | |
| End | Search Mode | Foraging. Rebind on laptops |
| F1 | Survival guide | |
| F2 to F6 | Pause and game speed | Single player only |
| K | FPS counter | |
| F10 | Screenshot |
Panels explained: moodles, health, skills, crafting, foraging.
| Key | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| N | Start engine | Needs a key or a hotwire |
| W A S D | Drive, brake and steer | |
| Space | Brake | |
| Left Shift | Cruise control | |
| F | Headlights | |
| Q | Horn | Every zombie in town will hear it |
| O | Heater | |
| U | Vehicle info and mechanics | Parts and condition |
| V | Vehicle radial menu | |
| Z | Switch seat |
Which car to take and how to fix it: vehicles and mechanics and every vehicle.
| Key | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 8 | Hotbar slots | Hold on an empty slot for the attach wheel |
| F | Torch or held light on/off | Hold for the light wheel |
| V (near animals) | Animal radial menu | Build 42 animals |
| T or Enter | Chat | Tab switches chat stream |
| G | PvP safety toggle | When the server allows PvP |
| Toggle UI | Hide the interface | Unbound by default; set it in Options |
Server setup and voice: multiplayer and hosting a server.
| Key | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E at a ladder | Climb | Only ladders already placed on the map. Zombies cannot follow. Crafting your own ladder is not in this update |
| Right-click a locked door, window, garage door or gate | Force it with a crowbar | Strength sets the odds; each failure risks damaging the crowbar. Security doors and cell doors cannot be forced. Burglars are quieter and better at it |
These are on the opt-in Pre-Release branch only. Stable is still 42.21. Full notes: 42.22 patch notes.
| Button | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick | Walk; push further to run | |
| Right stick | Aim | |
| L3 (press left stick) | Sneak (toggle) | |
| R3 (press right stick) | Sprint | |
| A | Interact | |
| B | Cancel; close panels | |
| X | Context menu and quick loot | |
| Y | Inventory | |
| LT | Shove / stomp | |
| RT | Attack and fire | |
| LB | Rack firearm | |
| RB | Reload | |
| D-pad | Menus and radial wheels | |
| View / Back | Radial menu | |
| Start | Pause and menu |
This is the Default controller preset; an Original preset with the older layout is also offered. Prompts show Xbox buttons even on a PlayStation pad. The game is on PC only, so the controller is for couch or Steam Deck play.
OpinionWhat we change on a fresh install.
I opens and closes the inventory and loot panels. Tab is not inventory: it toggles build and place mode, and switches chat stream when chat is open.
Hold Left Alt to sprint (Cmd on macOS). Left Shift runs, which is slower and costs less endurance.
Press C to toggle sneaking. Combine it with walking for the quietest movement.
Space shoves a standing zombie and stomps one on the ground. It is the most useful key in the game.
Sit in the driver seat with the key or a hotwire, then press N. F toggles headlights, Space brakes, Z switches seat.
On the 42.22 Pre-Release branch, stand at a ladder already placed on the map and press E. Zombies cannot follow. Stable (42.21) has no climbable ladders yet.
End toggles Search Mode for foraging. Laptops without an End key should rebind it in Options.
Yes. Options, then Key Bindings (keyboard) or Controller. The in-game list is the final word for your build.
Keyboard defaults from the Build 42 key bindings list as published by pzfans.com (verified for 42.20.4) and BisectHosting (Build 41 list; unchanged keys only). Controller from pzfans.com's Default preset. 42.22 ladder and crowbar actions from The Indie Stone's 42.22 Pre-Release notes as reported by outputlag.com. Your in-game Options are authoritative.