Starfield, Bethesda’s upcoming space exploration game, has grabbed the gaming industry by storm, and here you’ll find the definitive guide to the game’s controls. Mastering the controls is essential if you want to get the most out of this epic space journey, whether you’re playing on an Xbox console or a PC. If you want to have a successful journey across the stars in Starfield, you’ll need to learn the ins and outs of its controls. Here, we’ll show you how to play the game with complete confidence by breaking down every aspect of the controls for both the Xbox and PC versions. Let’s go off on this galactic adventure together and discover all that Starfield has to offer.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Familiarize yourself with the controls for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
- Gain complete command over starship piloting and combat controls.
- Uncover the intricacies of planetary exploration and interaction controls.
- Discover the secrets of resource management and survival controls.
- Enhance your combat skills with melee and ranged weapon controls.
- Harness the power of your exosuit with controls for mobility and environmental interactions.
- Become a Crimson Fleet Master with quick reference detailed control tables.
- Secret tips for immersive space travel in Starfield
But before we set out on our cosmic adventure, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the many interfaces and options that may affect your Starfield controls. Your actions have far-reaching consequences in this game, much as they would in any epic space saga.
Keep reading as we dissect Starfield’s intricate control scheme and equip you to travel the galaxy and flourish in its harsh environments. Whether you’re exploring uncharted star systems, fighting in massive space battles, or just looking for intelligent life, this guide will be your constant companion.
Starfield Control Guide
Xbox Controls:
Movement Controls:
Move: Left Stick
Move Camera: Right Stick
Sprint: Press Left Stick Down
Sneak: B
Combat Slide: Press B while Sprinting (requires the gymnastics skill)
Jump/Boost Pack: Y
Activate: A
Pick Up Item: Hold A
Flashlight: Hold Left Bumper
Scanner: Left Bumper
Switch Between First or Third Person Look at: Look At Button
Quick Menu: D-pad
Combat and Weapon Controls:

Ready/Fire Weapon: Right Trigger
Aim/Block: Left Trigger
Bash Attack: Press Right Stick Down
Throw Grenade: Right Bumper
Reload Weapon: X
Holster Weapon: Hold X
Power: Left Bumper + Right Bumper
Menu and Navigation Controls:
Open Menu: Menu Button
Accept: A
Cancel: B
Up: Up on Analog Stick or D-pad
Down: Down on Analog Stick or D-pad
Left: Left on Analog Stick or D-pad
Right: Right on Analog Stick or D-pad
Flight Controls:
Forward: Right Stick
Rotate Ship: Left Stick
Navigate Between Systems: Left and Right on the D-pad
Increase/Decrease Power to Systems: Up and Down on D-pad
Boost: Press Left Stick Down
Switch POV: View Button
Repair Ship: Right Stick Down
Open Scanner: Left Bumper
PC Controls:

Movement Controls:
Forward: W
Backward: S
Strafe Left: A
Strafe Right: D
Move Camera: Mouse
Auto-Move: NUM LOCK
Activate/Pick Up: E
Sneak: L + CTRL
Sprint: L + SHIFT
Jump: Space
Toggle Always Run: Caps Lock
Scanner/Flashlight: F
Toggle POV: Mouse 3
Fast Travel to Ship: F1
Open Quick-Keys: Q
Combat and Weapon Controls:
Primary Attack: Mouse 1
Secondary Attack: Mouse 2
Melee: V
Throw Grenade: G
Reload/Sheath Weapon: R
Power: Z
Menu and Navigation Controls:
Open Menu: TAB
Quick-Save: F5
Quick-Load: F9
Pause: ESC
Quick-Skills: P
Quick-Inventory: I
Quick-Mission: L
Quick-Map: M
Quick-Ship: H
Quick-Powers: K
Flight Controls:
Fire Boosters: L + SHIFT
Switch Flight Modes: Space
Toggle POV: Mouse 3
Fire Weapon 1: Mouse 1
Fire Weapon 2: Mouse 2
Fire Weapon 3: G or NUM PAD 0
Ship Action 1: R
Select Target: E
Increase System Power: Up or V
Decrease System Power: Down or C
Previous System: Left or Z
Next System: Right or X
Open Scanner: F
Repair Ship: 0
You can now navigate and play Starfield with ease, thanks to this detailed guide for the Xbox and PC versions of the game. Have fun exploring the game world!
Detailed Control Tables at a Glance:

Starfield Controls Guide for Xbox Series S
Here are the controls for XBox based on the provided information:
Gameplay
| Action | Control |
| Forward | Left Stick Up |
| Backward | Left Stick Down |
| Strafe Left | Left Stick Left |
| Strafe Right | Left Stick Right |
| Primary Attack | RT (Right Trigger) |
| Secondary Attack | LT (Left Trigger) |
| Melee | Press R3 (Right Stick) |
| Throw Grenade | RB (Right Bumper) |
| Activate | A (Button) |
| Pick up and move item | Hold A |
| Reload/Shield Weapon | X (Button) |
| Power | LB + RB (Left Bumper + Right Bumper) |
| Hand Scanner/Flashlight | LB (Left Bumper) |
| Open Data Menu | Menu Button (Start Button) |
| Toggle POV | View Button (Back Button) |
| Free-aim (on foot) | Hold View Button (Back Button) |
| Jump | Y (Button) |
| Sprint | L3 (Press Left Stick) |
| Sneak | B (Button) |
| Quick-Key Up | D-pad Up |
| Quick-Key Down | D-pad Down |
| Quick-Key Left | D-pad Left |
| Quick-Key Right | D-pad Right |
Flight
| Action | Control |
| Fire Boosters | L3 (Press Left Stick) |
| Switch Flight Modes | RB (Right Bumper) |
| Toggle POV | View Button (Back Button) |
| Free-aim (in cockpit) | Hold View Button (Back Button) |
| Fire Weapon 0 | RT (Right Trigger) |
| Fire Weapon 1 | LT (Left Trigger) |
| Fire Weapon 2 | Y (Button) |
| Ship Action 1 | X (Button) |
| Select Target | A (Button) |
| Increase System Power | D-pad Up |
| Decrease System Power | D-pad Down |
| Previous System | D-pad Left |
| Next System | D-pad Right |
| Open Scanner | LB (Left Bumper) |
| Repair | Press R3 (Right Stick) |
| Cancel | B (Button) |
Spaceship (Docked/Grounded)
| Action | Control |
| Undock/Take-Off Ship | Y (Button) |
| Get Up | B (Button) |
| Exit Ship From Cockpit | X (Button) |
| Zoom Camera In | LT (Left Trigger) |
| Zoom Camera Out | RT (Right Trigger) |
Menu
| Action | Control |
| Accept | A (Button) or Enter |
| Cancel | B (Button) |
| Up | D-pad Up or Up |
| Down | D-pad Down or Down |
| Left | D-pad Left or Left |
| Right | D-pad Right or Right |
| Previous Tab | LB (Left Bumper) |
| Next Tab | RB (Right Bumper) |
| UI Action 1 | X (Button) |
| UI Action 2 | Y (Button) |
| UI Action 3 | View Button (Back Button) |
| UI Action 4 | Press L3 (Left Stick) |
| UI Action 5 | Press R3 (Right Stick) |
| Zoom Model In | RT (Right Trigger) |
| Zoom Model Out | LT (Left Trigger) |
Quick Container
| Action | Control |
| Up | D-pad Up |
| Down | D-pad Down |
| Take Item | A (Button) |
| Open Transfer Menu | X (Button) |
| Perk Action 1 | Y (Button) |
| Perk Action 2 | B (Button) |
Outpost
| Action | Control |
| Build/Craft/Edit | A (Button) |
| Cancel | B (Button) |
| Up | D-pad Up |
| Down | D-pad Down |
| Previous Variant | D-pad Left |
| Next Variant | D-pad Right |
| Rotate Object Left | LT (Left Trigger) |
| Rotate Object Right/Create Connection | RT (Right Trigger) |
| Delete/Replace Object | X (Button) |
| Change Color/Previous Category | LB (Left Bumper) |
| Repair Object/Next Category | RB (Right Bumper) |
| Toggle View | View Button (Back Button) |
Please note that these controls are based on the information provided and may be subject to change or customization in the game’s settings. Adjust them as needed to suit your preferences.
Starfield Controls Guide for PC
Here are the controls for PC based on the provided information:
Gameplay
| Action | Control |
| Forward | W |
| Backward | S |
| Strafe Left | A |
| Strafe Right | D |
| Primary Attack | Mouse1 (Left Mouse Button) |
| Secondary Attack | Mouse2 (Right Mouse Button) |
| Melee | V |
| Throw Grenade | G |
| Activate | E |
| Pick up and move item | Hold E |
| Reload/Shield Weapon | R |
| Power | Z |
| Hand Scanner/Flashlight | F |
| Open Data Menu | Tab |
| Toggle POV | Mouse3 (Middle Mouse Button) |
| Free-aim (on foot) | Hold Mouse3 (Middle Mouse Button) |
| Camera Zoom In | Mouse Wheel Up |
| Camera Zoom Out | Mouse Wheel Down |
| Jump | Space |
| Sprint | Left Shift |
| Sneak | Left Ctrl |
| Toggle Always-Run | Caps Lock |
| Auto-Move | Numlock |
| Open Quick-Keys | Q |
| Quick-Key 1 | 1 |
| Quick-Key 2 | 2 |
| Quick-Key 3 | 3 |
| Quick-Key 4 | 4 |
| Quick-Key 5 | 5 |
| Quick-Key 6 | 6 |
| Quick-Key 7 | 7 |
| Quick-Key 8 | 8 |
| Quick-Key 9 | 9 |
| Quick-Key 10 | 0 |
| Quick-Key 11 | [ |
| Quick-Key 12 | ] |
| Quick-Save | F5 |
| Quick-Load | F9 |
| Pause | Esc |
| Quick-Skills | P |
| Quick-Inventory | I |
| Quick-Mission | L |
| Quick-Map | M |
| Quick-Ship | H |
| Quick-Powers | K |
Flight
| Action | Control |
| Fire Boosters | Left Shift |
| Switch Flight Modes | Space |
| Toggle POV | Q or Mouse3 (Middle Mouse Button) |
| Free-aim (in cockpit) | Hold Q or Hold Mouse3 + move mouse |
| Fire Weapon 0 | Mouse1 (Left Mouse Button) |
| Fire Weapon 1 | Mouse2 (Right Mouse Button) |
| Fire Weapon 2 | G |
| Ship Action 1 | R |
| Select Target | E |
| Increase System Power | Up |
| Decrease System Power | Down |
| Previous System | Left |
| Next System | Right |
| Open Scanner | F |
| Repair | O |
| Ship Alternate Control Hold | Left Alt |
| Cancel | Esc |
Spaceship (Docked/Grounded)
| Action | Control |
| Undock/Take-Off Ship | Space |
| Get Up | E |
| Exit Ship From Cockpit | X |
| Zoom Camera In | Mouse1 (Left Mouse Button) |
| Zoom Camera Out | Mouse2 (Right Mouse Button) |
Menu
| Action | Control |
| Accept | E or Enter |
| Cancel | Tab or Esc |
| Up | Up or W |
| Down | Down or S |
| Left | Left or A |
| Right | Right or D |
| Previous Tab | Q |
| Next Tab | Tab or Esc |
| UI Action 1 | R |
| UI Action 2 | B |
| UI Action 3 | V |
| UI Action 4 | Z |
| UI Action 5 | X |
| Rotate Model | Mouse2 (Right Mouse Button) |
| Zoom Model In | Mouse Wheel Up |
| Zoom Model Out | Mouse Wheel Down |
These controls should help you navigate and play Starfield on both Xbox Series S and PC. Remember that PC controls can be customized in the game’s settings to suit your preferences.
Secret Tips for Immersive Space Travel in Starfield
Seamless Navigation
Starfield’s space journeys are more immersive if you skip the menus and loading windows. To instantly jump to your desired waypoint, point your cursor at it and press “A” on Xbox or “E” on PC when the prompt appears. In this way, your journey across space will be smooth and unbroken.
Efficient Star System Jumping
Upgrading your grav drive is usually necessary if you want to explore numerous star systems at once in Starfield. The upgrade is mandatory, however there is a way around it. You can get where you need to go by teleporting to neighboring star systems one by one. It’s a cheap method of space travel if you don’t require all the bells and whistles.
Precise Ship Control
Starfield’s spaceship controls might be difficult to master, especially at high speeds. Use the thrusters to maneuver around more precisely by pressing RB on your controller or the Space bar on your computer. You’ll be able to navigate with greater precision, making docking with other ships easier and lowering the possibility of hull damage.
Fast Travel via Mission Menu
It’s likely that you’ll spend a good chunk of your time on Starfield’s planets navigating various menus. Using the “Missions” menu, picking the one you wish to do, and then pressing “R” (or “X” on a gamepad) will “Set Course” to that location immediately. You can quickly and easily attain your mission goals without the hassle of navigating a complicated map with this strategy.
Utilize Weapon Hotkeys
In Starfield, you may set up shortcut keys for your weapons and objects in the Quick-Keys menu. You can assign a shortcut key by selecting an item in your inventory and marking it as a favorite. The next step is to select a Quick-Keys button. You may now rapidly go to your most-used functions by hitting “Q” on the keyboard or the D-pad on the gamepad. This function is extremely helpful in wartime.
Boost Pack Trick (PC Only)
A secret mechanism could be used for speedy movement and discovery. Add “L ALT” as a secondary input in the Bindings menu, with the Space button serving as the primary input. With this setup, you can quickly and efficiently use your boost packs to traverse the horizontal plane by pressing the alternative key (LALT) twice. Using this method, you can swiftly travel through space and investigate distant planets.
With these insider secrets, you’ll be able to get the most out of Starfield and have a more satisfying and exciting adventure in space.
Conclusion:

You are now prepared to take on the challenges and marvels of Starfield’s infinite cosmos, thanks to your familiarity with the game’s controls on Xbox and PC. With this control guide in your virtual toolkit, you’ll be ready to discover the wonders of the cosmos in Bethesda’s latest masterwork. The complete potential of your Starfield journey is now at your fingertips, and that includes everything from mastering movement and battle to nimbly navigating menus and taking charge of your starship. It’s time to buckle in, fire up the thrusters, and set out on an unforgettable adventure across the stars. The stars have a plan for you. I wish you well on your travels, adventurer!
