Elite Dangerous: Basic Controls

This reference guide assumes you’re using a PC with a keyboard and an Xbox controller for windows and the ‘control pad with yaw’ setup.

The Xbox controller for windows is a fantastic gamepad choice for Elite Dangerous pilots. There are of course many controls to look up and master, these can be customised too, but as a quick reference guide for new pilots, this list of bindings should help you get going with the basics.

In-flight

Key/Button	Peripheral Device	Action
RB/R	Controller/Keyboard	Increase Throttle
LB/S	Controller/Keyboard	Decrease Throttle
LS (analogue stick)	Controller	Pitch/roll
RS (analogue stick)	Controller	Lateral/vertical thrust
B/Tab	Controller/Keyboard	Engine boost (afterburner)
J	Keyboard	Frame shift drive
X	Keyboard	Speed to 0

Miscellaneous

Key/Button	Peripheral Device	Action
M	Keyboard	Switch hub mode (toggles between combat/analysis)
L	Keyboard	Deploy/retract landing gear
Home	Keyboard	Deploy cargo scoop

Cooling

Key/Button	Peripheral Device	Action
Delete	Keyboard	Silent running

Weapons/Targeting

Key/Button	Peripheral Device	Action
RT/Mouse 1	Controller/Keyboard	Primary fire
LT/Mouse 1	Controller/Keyboard	Secondary fire
Back/U	ControllerKeyboard	Deploy/retract hardpoints (e.g. weapons)
A/N	Controller/Keyboard	Change fire group
Y/T	Controller/Keyboard	Select target ahead
H	Keyboard	Select highest threat
G	Keyboard	Cycle next target

Camera Suite

Key/Button	Peripheral Device	Action
[L CTRL]+[L ALT]+[SPACE]	Keyboard	Toggle camera suite
Left/Left Arrow	Controller/Keyboard	Previous camera
Right/Right Arrow	Controller/Keyboard	Next camera
RS click/[num 0]	Controller/Keyboard	Enter free camera

Additionally Recommended Custom Bindings

Key/Button	Peripheral Device	Action
C	Keyboard	Supercruise