Fortnite Battle Royale is one of the most popular games out there—with the free-to-play shooter available across PC, console, and even mobile platforms. But with a game this complex, it can be a bit intimidating to jump right in, especially when it has undergone a major overhaul.
(Season 11 was the first season following the major reboot of the game: Fortnite Chapter 2. The season removed many of the established weapons in the game, introduced the fishing and swimming mechanics, and changed a few elements within the game. And now it has given way to season 12.)
If you’re a complete newbie to Fortnite or just want a refresher on the game’s controls and mechanics when a new season rolls around, our cheat sheet below can help you. It covers controls for the PC version of the game and for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles too. The cheat sheet also lists various mechanics and terms you should know about.
FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download The Fortnite Essentials Cheat Sheet.
The Fortnite Essentials Cheat Sheet
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Terms to Know | |
| Battle Pass | In-game pass bought with V-Bucks to unlock season rewards tree |
| Season | A themed in-game series of missions and rewards usually lasting 10 weeks |
| Supply Drop | A crate of supplies attached to a balloon and dropped during the match |
| Elimination | A player elimination where you delivered the final blow |
| Assist | A player elimination where you helped but didn’t deliver the final blow |
| Solo | Unranked match for 1 player |
| Duos | Unranked match for 2 players |
| Squads | Unranked match for up to 4 players |
| Team Rumble | Unranked large team deathmatch mode |
| Arena | Ranked match mode |
| LTM | Limited-Time Mode |
| Victory Royale | A match victory |
| Missions/Challenges | Daily or weekly objectives and achievements |
| Medal Punch Card | Daily achievement tracker that awards bonus XP |
| Item Shop | In-game store for microtransactions |
| V-Bucks | In-game currency |
| Save The World | PvE paid mode of Fortnite |
| Fortnite Creative | Free building/experimental mode of Fortnite |
| PC/KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
Movement/General Controls |
|
| W | Move Up/Forward |
| A | Move Left |
| S | Move Down/Backward |
| D | Move Right |
| Spacebar | Jump |
| Left Shift | Sprint |
| Equal Sign/Num Lock | Auto Run |
| Left Ctrl | Crouch |
| Left Shift | Toggle Sprint |
| M | Show/Hide Map |
| Tab | Show/Hide Inventory |
| F | Carry Downed Player |
| F | Drop Downed Player |
| Left Mouse Button | Throw/Yeet Downed Player |
| Esc | Game Menu |
| Combat | |
| Left Mouse Button | Fire/Use Weapon |
| Right Mouse Button | Target/Aim |
| R | Reload |
| E | Use/Interact with Item on Map |
| F | Toggle Harvesting Tool |
| 1 | Equip Weapon 1 |
| 2 | Equip Weapon 2 |
| 3 | Equip Weapon 3 |
| 4 | Equip Weapon 4 |
| 5 | Equip Weapon 5 |
| Building | |
| Z | Equip Wall |
| X | Equip Floor |
| C | Equip Stairs |
| V | Equip Roof |
| Y | Equip Trap |
| F3 | Trap Picker |
| Left Mouse Button | Place Building |
| H | Repair/Upgrade |
| R | Rotate Building |
| Right Mouse Button | Change Building Material |
| G | Edit Building |
| Left Mouse Button | Select Building Edit Squares |
| Right Mouse Button | Reset Building Edit |
| Q | Toggle Build Mode/Toggle Quickbars |
| Communication | |
| Middle Mouse Button | Ping/Place Marker |
| Not Bound (Player decides) | Place Enemy Marker |
| T | Push To Talk |
| F4 | Squad Communication Tab |
| Enter | Chat |
| B | Emote |
| Vehicles | |
| E/Hold E | Use/Exit Vehicle |
| Left Ctrl | Switch Seat |
| Left Shift | Boost Vehicle (Motorboat) |
| Fishing | |
| Left Mouse Button | Cast Rod |
| Left Mouse Button | Reel In |
| PS4
CONTROLS
Movement/General Controls |
|
| Left Stick | Move Up/Forward |
| Left Stick | Move Left |
| Left Stick | Move Down/Backward |
| Left Stick | Move Right |
| X | Jump |
| Click Down Left Stick | Sprint |
| Double Click Down Left Stick | Auto Run |
| Click Down/Tap Right Stick | Crouch |
| Click Down Left Stick | Toggle Sprint |
| Centre Touchpad | Show/Hide Map |
| Up D-Pad | Show/Hide Inventory |
| ■ | Carry Downed Player |
| ■ | Drop Downed Player |
| RT | Throw/Yeet Downed Player |
| Options Button | Game Menu |
| Combat | |
| RT | Fire/Use Weapon |
| LT | Target/Aim |
| ■ | Reload |
| ■ | Use/Interact with Item on Map |
| ▲ | Toggle Harvesting Tool |
| Building | |
| ■ in Build Mode | Equip Trap |
| ■ in Build Mode | Trap Picker |
| RT | Place Building |
| Click + Hold Right Stick | Repair/Upgrade |
| Click/Tap Right Stick | Rotate Building |
| LT | Change Building Material |
| Hold O | Edit Building |
| RT | Select Building Edit Squares |
| Click/Tap Right Stick | Reset Building Edit |
| O | Toggle Build Mode/Toggle Quickbars |
| Communication | |
| Left D-Pad | Ping/Place Marker |
| Double Tap Left D-Pad | Place Enemy Marker |
| Right D-Pad | Squad Communication Tab |
| Down D-Pad | Emote |
| Vehicles | |
| ■ / Hold ■ | Use/Exit Vehicle |
| Click/Tap Right Stick | Switch Seat |
| O | Boost Vehicle (Motorboat) |
| Fishing | |
| RT | Cast Rod |
| RT | Reel In |
| XBOX CONTROLS
Movement/General Controls |
|
| Left Stick | Move Up/Forward |
| Left Stick | Move Left |
| Left Stick | Move Down/Backward |
| Left Stick | Move Right |
| A | Jump |
| Click Down Left Stick | Sprint |
| Double Click Down Left Stick | Auto Run |
| Click Down/Tap Right Stick | Crouch |
| Click Down Left Stick | Toggle Sprint |
| View Button | Show/Hide Map |
| Up D-Pad | Show/Hide Inventory |
| X | Carry Downed Player |
| X | Drop Downed Player |
| RT | Throw/Yeet Downed Player |
| Menu Button | Game Menu |
| Combat | |
| RT | Fire/Use Weapon |
| LT | Target/Aim |
| X | Reload |
| X | Use/Interact with Item on Map |
| Y | Toggle Harvesting Tool |
| Building | |
| B in Build Mode | Equip Trap |
| B in Build Mode | Trap Picker |
| RT | Place Building |
| Click + Hold Right Stick | Repair/Upgrade |
| Click/Tap Right Stick | Rotate Building |
| LT | Change Building Material |
| Hold B | Edit Building |
| RT | Select Building Edit Squares |
| Click/Tap Right Stick | Reset Building Edit |
| B | Toggle Build Mode/Toggle Quickbars |
| Communication | |
| Left D-Pad | Ping/Place Marker |
| Double Tap Left D-Pad | Place Enemy Marker |
| Right D-Pad | Squad Communication Tab |
| Down D-Pad | Emote |
| Vehicles | |
| X / Hold X | Use/Exit Vehicle |
| Click/Tap Right Stick | Switch Seat |
| B | Boost Vehicle (Motorboat) |
| Fishing | |
| RT | Cast Rod |
| RT | Reel In |
| Fortnite Items | |
| Health Sources | Bandages, Med Kit, Camp Fire, Chug Splash, Flopper Fist, Small Fry Fish, Apple |
| Shield Sources | Small Shield Potion, Shield Potion, Chug Splash, Chug Jug, Slurpy Swamp Canisters, Slurpy Swamp Vat, Slurpy Swamp River, Slurp Fish, Mushrooms |
| Weapon and Loot Sources | Supply Llama, Ammo Crate, Fishing Spots, Chests |
| Strongest Building Material | Metal |
| Weakest Building Material | Wood |
| Long Range Weapons | Assault Rifle, Burst Assault Rifle, Scoped Weapons |
| Medium Range Weapons | Rocket Launcher, Assault Rifle, Burst Assault Rifle |
| Short Range Weapons | Shotgun |
| Explosive Weapons | Rocket Launcher, Grenades |
| Hiding Spots | Dumpsters and haystacks |
| Best Stone Sources | Large boulders |
| Best Metal Sources | Trucks and cars |
| Best Wood Sources | Large trees and wooden pallets |
Get Started in Fortnite Creative Mode
Now that you know the basics of Fortnite Battle Royale, you may want to dip your toes into other modes in the game. One such mode is Fortnite Creative, which lets you create unique maps and game modes using Fortnite assets. Find out everything you need to know about this free game mode in our beginner’s guide to Fortnite Creative Mode.
Read the full article: The Fortnite Essentials Cheat Sheet: Controls and Tips to Know
