Can you swiftly build forts and swap out weapons with accuracy in Fortnite? If not, it’s probably time to remap your key-binds!
Let’s face it, default settings aren’t always great, and if you’re new to Fortnite, figuring out the controls can be tricky, especially when using a keyboard and mouse. However, getting the best keyboard for Fortnite will make the game a lot easier.
When it comes to most games, you’ll need to figure out what key-binds work best for you in order to get a competitive edge over your opponents. Therefore, remapping key-binds to ensure you’re building and attacking faster is vital, especially if you want to gain the #1 winning spot in Battle Royale, or simply to make building a breeze in Fortnite Creative.
It’s time to remap your Fortnite keybinds for faster builds and easy weapon access.
So, although subjective, let’s look into some tips and tricks for more game-ends and fewer end-game deaths in Battle Royale.
How to Edit Your Keybinds and Controls
Before we jump into the tips, here’s how to change keybinds in Fortnite:
- Open the Settings Menu (hamburger icon)
- Click on the gear icon from the drop-down menu
- Head to the Input Tab
- Click on the keybinds you wish to change
- Press the key you want to use
Best Fortnite Keyboard Controls – General Tips
Do you really want to be reaching all the way up to the function keys in order to build and place traps? I think not.
Generally, the further away the key is from W A S D, the less comfortable you’ll feel reaching for it – unless you have larger hands. For those of you who don’t feel comfortable reaching for the F3 key to equip traps, it is advised that you change this action to another key, such as R or Q for ease of access.
Changing keys so that you’re comfortable is important for reducing finger fatigue, something your little finger has likely experienced before. If your pinky finger is glued to the shift button it’s time to turn on the ‘Always Run’ option. This setting allows you to constantly dash around the map while freeing up the Left Shift key for other actions.
You should know that if you’re running a bad keyboard with low response rates, you might lose even if you’re good. If that is the case, check out the best gaming keyboards out there and get a fitting replacement.
#1 Unbind Mouse Scroll
Understandably, you might think it’s easier to use your mouse scroll wheel for swapping out weapons when really, it isn’t.
Using the mouse scroll increases your chances of making mistakes, something you want to avoid. Therefore, we suggest using slots 1-4 for your weapons, and if you really want to use the scroll wheel, try using it as your 5th slot. This 5th slot could be used for snipers for quick, distant shots, or for shotguns for closer, more powerful shots.
If you don’t end up following our suggestion, to ensure that you don’t accidentally use the scroll wheel mid-game, it is best to disable (unbind) it so that you don’t make any mistakes. Imagine wasting an entire game on an accidental mouse scroll – how embarrassing!
#2 Opt for a Better Mouse
It is time to throw away that plain old office mouse and opt for a high-quality gaming mouse with additional buttons. Why you may ask? For speed.
Fortnite pros use mouse side buttons as build slots to construct forts within seconds for cover, allowing them to hide from their opponents before swiftly obliterating them. Gruesome, yet you’ll be happy to see your username at the top of the leader-board when you change to the best mouse for Fortnite.
Even Fortnite pro, Tfue, said that you should invest in a better mouse!
Default Keybinds
Before we discuss what keybinds other players use, let’s look at the default PC controls for Fortnite to see what the pros have changed or even kept the same.
| Control Function | Key-bind |
|---|---|
| Harvest Tool | F |
| Weapon Slot 1 | 1 |
| Weapon Slot 2 | 2 |
| Weapon Slot 3 | 3 |
| Weapon Slot 4 | 4 |
| Weapon Slot 5 | 5 |
| Reload/Rotate | R |
| Use | E |
| Jump | Space |
| Sprint | Left Shift |
| Crouch | Left Ctrl |
| Build Slot 1 (Wall) | Z |
| Build Slot 2 (Floor) | X |
| Build Slot 3 (Stairs) | C |
| Build Slot 4 (Roof) | V |
| Building Edit | G |
| Trap | Y |
| Trap Equip | F3 |
| Repair/Upgrade | H |
| Inventory | Tab |
| Emote Key | B |
| Push to Talk | Enter |
Best Fortnite Keybinds: Pro Player Setups
Using the same keybinds as pro players doesn’t mean you’ll win every time, but it may improve your chances of getting that #1 victory. The following players have changed the preset keybinds to suit their own personal preferences to improve their chances of winning – and frankly, it’s working.
Ninja Keybinds
If you’ve heard of Fortnite, you’ve heard of Ninja. He’s one of the most popular Fortnite players right now, and while he has kept some of the default settings, he’s changed others to ensure he stays at the forefront of the competition.
| Control Function | Key-bind |
|---|---|
| Harvest Tool | 1 |
| Weapon Slot 1 | 2 |
| Weapon Slot 2 | 3 |
| Weapon Slot 3 | 4 |
| Weapon Slot 4 | Z |
| Weapon Slot 5 | X |
| Reload/Rotate | R |
| Use | E |
| Jump | Space |
| Sprint | Sprint By Default |
| Crouch | C |
| Build Slot 1 (Wall) | Thumb Mouse Button 4 |
| Build Slot 2 (Floor) | Q |
| Build Slot 3 (Stairs) | Thumb Mouse Button 5 |
| Build Slot 4 (Roof) | Left Shift |
| Building Edit | F |
| Trap | 5 |
| Trap Equip | T |
| Repair/Upgrade | G |
| Inventory | Tab |
| Emote Key | B |
| Push to Talk | Left Ctrl |
Myth Keybinds
Myth is one of the taller Fortnite players, so reaching for those Fkeys is a piece of cake, which is possibly why he’s changed the trap button from Y to F5.
| Control Function | Key-bind |
|---|---|
| Harvest Tool | LShift |
| Weapon Slot 1 | 1 |
| Weapon Slot 2 | 2 |
| Weapon Slot 3 | 3 |
| Weapon Slot 4 | Mouse Wheel Up |
| Weapon Slot 5 | Mouse Wheel Down |
| Reload/Rotate | R |
| Use | V |
| Jump | Space |
| Sprint | Sprint By Default |
| Crouch | Left Ctrl |
| Build Slot 1 (Wall) | Q |
| Build Slot 2 (Floor) | Thumb Mouse Button 5 |
| Build Slot 3 (Stairs) | C |
| Build Slot 4 (Roof) | E |
| Building Edit | F |
| Trap | F5 |
| Trap Equip | T |
| Repair/Upgrade | Left Alt |
| Inventory | Tab |
| Emote Key | H |
| Push to Talk | Enter |
Tfue Keybinds
Tfue recently helped out the Fortnite community by posting his recommended keybinds for beginner players who are still struggling to get used to the inputs on PC. Although maybe he needs a little help himself after getting killed by a 14-year-old player, Sceptic – we won’t let this go, Tfue.
| Control Function | Key-bind |
|---|---|
| Harvest Tool | 1 |
| Weapon Slot 1 | 2 |
| Weapon Slot 2 | 3 |
| Weapon Slot 3 | 4 |
| Weapon Slot 4 | 5 |
| Weapon Slot 5 | 6 |
| Reload/Rotate | R |
| Use | F |
| Jump | Space |
| Sprint | Sprint By Default |
| Crouch | Left Shift |
| Build Slot 1 (Wall) | C |
| Build Slot 2 (Floor) | E |
| Build Slot 3 (Stairs) | Q |
| Build Slot 4 (Roof) | Thumb Mouse Button 5 |
| Building Edit | V |
| Trap | Thumb Mouse Button 4 |
| Trap Equip | T |
| Repair/Upgrade | Left Ctrl |
| Inventory | I |
| Emote Key | B |
| Push to Talk | G |
Summary
The best thing you can do when choosing your custom keybinds is to experiment with our recommendations to create your own personal layout. You’ll want to feel comfortable, be able to build fast enough to protect yourself, and have the ability to swap out weapons to destroy your enemies with ease.
At the beginning of February, Tfue tweeted out some handy keybind recommendations for beginners which you could test out so that you can battle like a pro. Speaking of pro players, Ninja and Tfue have very similar keybinds, so they must be doing something right.
Although all of the pros are using wired keyboards, you can take a look at the best wireless keyboards for gaming. Some of them are pretty good for Fortnite and they will free your desk of clutter.