Close Tab Keyboard Shortcut

Closing the active tab may close the window when it is the last tab.

• In Google Chrome on Windows and Linux: Ctrl + W — Close Tab
• In Google Chrome on macOS: Cmd + W — Close Tab

Recorded actions and binding evidence

Also works in: Android, ChromeOS, Ubuntu Linux, Windows Terminal, Cursor, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Windows, iPhone / iOS, macOS, Safari.

Context

Closing the active tab may close the window when it is the last tab. An editor may prompt for unsaved changes, but a browser form may not. Closing a tab is different from quitting an application; check the action label and save important work first.

Use the binding for your application and platform. Custom keymaps, keyboard layouts and intercepted system keys can change the behavior you observe.

Practical checks

• Save unsaved work before closing.
• Use Reopen Closed Tab for recoverable browser tabs, not as a document backup.
• Check whether the last tab also closes the application window.

Continue your task

• What does Ctrl+W do?
• Google Chrome shortcuts
• Cursor shortcuts
• Microsoft Edge shortcuts
• Google Chrome: Windows to Mac
• ChromeOS shortcuts
• Android shortcuts

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