Where is the Delete key on a Mac? Deleting left and right

On a MacBook there is a key at the top right with "delete" or ⌫. That is the Mac's Delete key, but it works like the Backspace key on Windows: it removes the character to the left of the cursor. A MacBook has no separate key for deleting to the right. This article explains how to delete to the right anyway, how to remove whole words and lines and how to delete files with the Delete key.

Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, keyboards included. If your Delete key does not work at all any more, see the end of this article.

Deleting to the left and to the right

• Delete to the left (backspace): press Delete.
• Delete to the right (like Del on Windows): press Fn + Delete. If your MacBook has a Globe key (🌐) bottom left, that is the same key: Globe + Delete.
• Control + D also deletes the character to the right of the cursor in most apps.

Deleting whole words or lines

• Option + Delete: deletes the whole word to the left of the cursor.
• Fn + Option + Delete: deletes the word to the right of the cursor.
• Command + Delete: deletes everything from the cursor to the start of the line.
• Control + K: deletes from the cursor to the end of the line (works in many Apple apps).

Deleted too much by accident? Command + Z undoes the last action.

Deleting files with the keyboard

• Command + Delete in the Finder: the selected file goes to the Bin (Trash).
• Option + Command + Delete: the file is deleted permanently at once, without the Bin. The Mac asks you to confirm first.
• Shift + Command + Delete: empties the Bin.

Pressing Delete alone does nothing in the Finder; you need Command with it. That is deliberate, so you do not throw files away by accident.

A separate Windows keyboard

If you use a separate Windows keyboard with your Mac, the Backspace key does what Delete does on the Mac, and the Del key deletes to the right. The Windows key works as Command. In System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, Modifier Keys you can swap keys around if that types more comfortably.

The Delete key does not work

1. Test in another app. If it works in TextEdit, the problem is that one app.
2. Check the input source. In System Settings, Keyboard, Input Sources a layout that matches your keyboard must be selected.
3. Check whether something is under the key. Crumbs under a key stop it from pressing properly. Hold the MacBook at an angle and carefully blow compressed air under the key.
4. Turn off Mouse Keys and Slow Keys in System Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard. They change how keys respond.

If other keys besides Delete do not work, or type twice, there is probably something wrong with the keyboard itself. We see that mostly after spilled drinks and on older MacBooks with the butterfly keyboard (about 2016 to 2019). Read MacBook keyboard not working.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

For a broken key we first check whether just the keycap or the mechanism underneath can be replaced. If the keyboard itself is faulty, we replace it. On many MacBooks the keyboard is fixed to the top of the case; you hear beforehand what that means for your model. More on our page about MacBook keyboard repair.

Frequently asked questions

Does a MacBook have a Del key?

No. Fn + Delete deletes to the right, like Del on Windows.

How do I delete a file permanently?

Select it in the Finder and press Option + Command + Delete. You cannot undo that.

My Delete key removes several characters at once. What is that?

The key sticks or repeats too fast. Check the key repeat rate in System Settings, Keyboard. If it continues, the key itself may be worn.