How to Configure Mpv Keyboard Shortcuts Custom - mpv.net

Updated: April 2, 2026 · Full review · Alternatives · Video Players

Open `input.conf` in your text editor and add your custom key bindings — mpv.net reads this file on startup and applies all your shortcuts instantly.

The mpv video player gives you complete control over keyboard shortcuts, but it's hidden behind a plain text config file instead of a GUI menu. That's actually perfect — once you know where to look, you can set up exactly the shortcuts you want in under five minutes. No bloat, no menus to dig through.

Where Your Keyboard Shortcuts Live

Your custom key bindings go in a file called `input.conf`. On Windows 10 and Windows 11, this lives in your mpv.net config folder. Navigate to `%APPDATA%\mpv` and create a new file named `input.conf` if it doesn't already exist (it might not — the app works fine without one).

Can't find `%APPDATA%`? Hit Windows+R, paste that path, and Windows opens the folder for you. Dead simple.

How to Configure mpv Keyboard Shortcuts Custom — The Basics

Every line in `input.conf` follows this pattern:

`key command`

For example, add this line to make X jump forward 30 seconds:

`x seek +30`

Or bind Ctrl+S to toggle subtitles:

`ctrl+s cycle sub`

The open source video player understands modifier keys like `ctrl`, `shift`, and `alt`. Stack them together: `ctrl+shift+a` works. After you edit and save the file, close and reopen your video — the new shortcuts load automatically.

Common Shortcuts Worth Binding

Here's what most users want to customize:

Playback control — `p` for play/pause, `space` to play/pause (default already), `>` and `<` for next/previous file.

Seeking — `Left`/`Right` arrows move 5 seconds. Bind number keys to jump to specific percentages: `1 seek 10 absolute-percent` (hitting 1 jumps to 10% through the video).

Volume and audio — `up`/`down` for volume, `m` to mute. Bind `a` to cycle audio tracks if your video has multiple languages.

Subtitles — `s` to cycle subtitle tracks, `j` and `l` to shift subtitle timing forward/backward.

The free Windows media player's defaults already cover basics, but custom bindings shine when you have specific workflows — like jumping to bookmarks during editing or cycling through audio tracks during foreign film nights.

Advanced: How to Configure mpv Keyboard Shortcuts Custom with Script Commands

Need something fancier? Bind keys to Lua scripts or complex commands. This line cycles between three subtitle sizes:

`shift+f cycle-values sub-font-size 20 28 36`

Or create a shortcut that opens the playlist while pausing:

`p show-text "${playlist}"`

The lightweight media player's script system is powerful but documented in separate technical guides — start with simple seek and cycle commands first, then experiment once you're comfortable.

Pro Tip: Use `#` to comment out lines you're testing. `# x seek +30` disables that binding without deleting it. This saves time when you're building your perfect config — toggle shortcuts on and off without retyping.

Syntax Gotchas That Trip People Up

Keys are case-sensitive. `a` and `A` are different bindings. Spaces matter — `x seek +30` (two spaces) breaks. The command name comes first, arguments after.

Some keys need special names: `Space`, `Enter`, `Tab`, `Esc`, `Left`, `Right`, `Up`, `Down`. A full key reference lives in the official mpv documentation.

Next Steps: Beyond Basic Shortcuts

Once you're comfortable here, explore customizing the interface itself to match your shortcuts. You can also adjust performance settings alongside your keyboard layout.

How to configure mpv keyboard shortcuts custom takes maybe ten minutes total. Edit the file, save it, restart your video. No settings dialog, no button clicking — just text and immediate results. That's the philosophy behind this whole player.