Default keyboard controls and shortcuts for World of Tanks

Basic controls

World of Tanks uses the classic first-person shooter control scheme where the W, A, S, and D keys are used to move and rotate the vehicle, and the mouse is used to control the gun’s aim, but on top of that, the core操作 also involves combining the Gunner’s View (Shift key) with Auto-Aim (right-click), so make sure to master these together as a set.

Movement

Cruise Control is a unique World of Tanks feature that keeps the vehicle moving forward or backward automatically once set, which is useful when navigating complex terrain or moving across the map. Combining it with the handbrake makes it possible to perform advanced maneuvers such as sharp turns and spin turns, and once mastered, it allows the vehicle to move on its own while the player focuses on spotting enemies and checking the battlefield, so be sure to learn it thoroughly.

Item usage

Once the “Consumables” assigned to number keys (1–6) are used effectively, it becomes possible to switch equipment instantly during combat, which greatly improves survivability. Repair Kits (5) and Fire Extinguishers (6) are especially essential for emergency response to fires and damage, while switching shell types (1–3) is a key tactical choice based on enemy armor characteristics.

Radio commands

Radio commands are an important means of communication with the entire allied team, and commands can be sent quickly using the T key or the function keys (F2–F8), with the actual message automatically changing depending on what is targeted, enabling effective team coordination, while Japanese voice messages are played at the same time.

UI controls

After becoming comfortable with the basic combat controls, the next step is to speed up situational awareness across the entire battlefield by using shortcuts for the map and interface to make instant tactical decisions, while the minimap ping feature lets players share enemy positions and target locations with allies for more effective team play. Until these操作 become second nature, remember that “holding down Ctrl activates the mouse cursor,” which allows for more precise UI controls.

Chat

Both text chat and voice chat (quick voice commands) are available, with text chat accessed using the Enter key and voice chat via holding down the Q key.

Replay playback

Reviewing recorded battles via replays makes it possible to refine tactics and check for操作 mistakes, and during replay playback, fixed key bindings are used instead of normal control settings, allowing players to study both their own failures and the play styles of advanced players and apply those lessons in live battles.