On many laptops, the Home key sits at the top-right or hides behind an Fn combo; on Macs use Fn+Left or Command+Left to get the same action.
The Home key moves the cursor to the start of a line or scrolls to the top of a document, depending on the app. On a full desktop keyboard it’s easy to spot. On a notebook, the answer varies by brand and layout. This guide shows where to find it on common designs, what to press when the label is missing, and how to make a reliable shortcut you’ll remember.
Home Key Location On Common Windows Laptops
Manufacturers pack lots of keys into tight spaces, so the label you’re after may share real estate with other functions. Try these spots first:
- Top-right cluster: Look near PgUp, PgDn, and End. Many 15-inch and 17-inch models place Home there.
- Number-pad block: If your notebook has a numpad, the key often lives in its north-east corner.
- Shared with arrows: On compact 13- or 14-inch machines, Home can be a secondary mark on the left or up arrow.
- Fn layer only: Some keyboards skip the printed label. The key still exists as an Fn combination.
In text fields on Windows, Home jumps to the start of the current line and Ctrl+Home jumps to the top of the document. That behavior is standard across editors and matches Microsoft’s documented shortcuts (Windows keyboard shortcuts).
When The Physical Label Is Missing
If you can’t find a key marked “Home,” your keyboard likely hides it on the function layer. Try these combos; brands vary, but one of these usually works:
- Fn + Left Arrow for line start on many compact layouts.
- Fn + Up Arrow to scroll to the top in some browsers and file lists.
- Fn + ← (with Alt or Ctrl) to reach document top on a few models.
Most vendors put a tiny second label on the front edge of the keycap or in faint gray on the top. Tilt the laptop toward a window and you’ll often spot it.
Mac Laptops: Equivalent To The Home Function
Apple notebooks don’t include a dedicated Home key, but you can trigger the behavior with standard shortcuts:
- Fn + Left Arrow: Scroll to the beginning of a document (acts like Home).
- Command + Left Arrow: Move the insertion point to the start of the current line.
- Command + Up Arrow: Jump to the top of the document.
These mappings are listed in Apple’s official guide (Mac keyboard shortcuts). If you’re in Terminal, the classic Unix moves also work: Control + A for line start and Control + E for line end.
Chromebooks: What To Press For Home Behavior
ChromeOS keyboards skip many traditional keys, but you still get the same actions with the Launcher/Search key:
- Search (or Launcher) + Left Arrow: Move to the beginning of the line.
- Search (or Launcher) + Right Arrow: Move to the end of the line.
- Ctrl + Search + Left Arrow: Go to the top of a document or text field.
- Ctrl + Search + Right Arrow: Go to the bottom of a document or text field.
On many models, you’ll also see selection variants with Shift added. These mirror typical desktop behavior and keep editing quick on a smaller keyboard.
Spotting Home On Brand-Specific Layouts
Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer
These brands commonly use a shared cluster for navigation keys. On 15-inch and larger models, check the top-right quartet: Insert, Home, PgUp, Delete, End, PgDn. On smaller machines, the printed label may move to the arrow keys, with Fn required.
Gaming Laptops
Gaming designs often favor full-size arrow keys and macro rows. If you don’t see a printed label, open the vendor utility (Armoury Crate, Alienware Command Center, Lenovo Vantage) and check the keyboard tab. Many let you remap a secondary layer so a single tap handles the Home action.
Ultrabooks And 2-In-1s
Thin-and-light models trim the nav cluster to save space. Expect Fn + Left for the line start and Fn + Up for page-top scrolling. If tablet mode is on, bring up the on-screen keyboard and use its nav row to hit Home without a hardware key.
Fast Ways To Trigger Home When The Key Is Missing
Universal Text Shortcuts
- Windows: Home = line start. Ctrl + Home = document top.
- Mac: Command + Left Arrow = line start. Fn + Left Arrow = document top.
- ChromeOS: Search + Left Arrow = line start. Ctrl + Search + Left Arrow = document top.
These work in editors, forms, and many code tools. Some apps capture keys for their own features, so if one combo doesn’t respond, try the next line in the list.
Use The On-Screen Keyboard
Every major system includes a software keyboard with a visible Home button. Handy when a key is broken or you’re docked in tablet mode.
- Windows: Press Win + Ctrl + O to toggle the On-Screen Keyboard. You can also enable it from Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard (Use the On-Screen Keyboard).
- macOS: Open System Settings > Keyboard, turn on Keyboard Viewer, then click the input menu in the menu bar to show it.
- ChromeOS: Go to Settings > Accessibility and toggle the on-screen keyboard.
Helpful Context So You Pick The Right Shortcut
The Home action can mean two slightly different moves:
- Start of the current line: You’re editing text and want the cursor at column one.
- Top of the document or list: You’re scrolling and want the view at the very beginning.
Windows tends to treat Home as line start inside editors and as “go to the top” in lists. macOS splits the job across Command + Arrow for cursor moves and Fn + Arrow for scrolling. ChromeOS mirrors that split with its Search/Launcher key.
Troubleshooting When Home Doesn’t Work
1) Function Lock Is On
Many keyboards have an Fn Lock that flips the top row between F1–F12 and printed icons. If your Home action lives on that row, toggle Fn Lock (often Fn + Esc or a small lock on the F-keys) and try again.
2) App Overrides
Web apps, terminals, and code editors sometimes bind keys to special features. Check the app’s “Keyboard Shortcuts” panel. You might need to use the document-level version (Ctrl + Home on Windows, Fn + Left on Mac, Ctrl + Search + Left on ChromeOS) instead of the line-level one.
3) Driver Or Firmware Quirk
If only a few keys misbehave, update your keyboard, touchpad, or hotkey utility from your vendor’s support page. A quick reinstall often restores Fn-layer behavior.
4) Hardware Failure
Try an external USB keyboard. If Home works there, your internal key may be worn out. Use the on-screen keyboard or a remap as a workaround until you can repair it.
Make Your Own Reliable Home Shortcut
If your layout forces a finger-twister, set a friendly combo that always works.
Windows: PowerToys Or Your Editor
Microsoft PowerToys (Keyboard Manager) can map an easier combo, like Alt + H, to Home. Editors such as VS Code or Notepad++ also let you bind a custom key just for that app.
macOS: System Settings Or Karabiner-Elements
In System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts, add an App Shortcut for “Move to Beginning of Line” if the app supports menu actions. For deeper control, Karabiner-Elements lets you map a clean system-wide combo to the Home behavior.
ChromeOS: Keyboard Settings
Open Settings > Device > Keyboard. You can change what keys like Caps Lock or the top row do and set a comfortable move for line start or document top.
Quick Reference: What To Press On Each Platform
Keep this handy list near your editor or browser until the muscle memory sticks.
- Windows (line start): Press Home. If no label, try Fn + Left.
- Windows (document top): Ctrl + Home.
- macOS (line start): Command + Left Arrow.
- macOS (document top): Fn + Left Arrow or Command + Up Arrow.
- ChromeOS (line start): Search + Left Arrow (or Launcher + Left Arrow).
- ChromeOS (document top): Ctrl + Search + Left Arrow.
Home Behavior In Real Apps
Text Editors And IDEs
Most follow the OS rules, but some add a smart toggle: first press jumps to the first non-space character, second press jumps to absolute column zero. If your editor supports it, you can switch this in settings.
Browsers And Lists
In long lists, feeds, and file pickers, the Home action normally scrolls the view to the start. If the page is a form field, the key acts on the insertion point instead. Click outside the field and press again to scroll.
Terminals
macOS Terminal and many Unix shells prefer Control + A for line start. Windows Terminal respects both the standard key and editor-style moves; check the app’s key bindings if the response feels off.
Table: Common Home Key Shortcuts By Platform
The table below condenses the moves you’ll use most. It’s placed here so you’ve seen the full context before skimming.
| Platform | Physical Label | Shortcut For Home Action |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Home (often top-right) | Home = line start; Ctrl + Home = document top |
| macOS | No dedicated key | Command + Left = line start; Fn + Left = document top |
| ChromeOS | No dedicated key | Search + Left = line start; Ctrl + Search + Left = document top |
When You Should Remap
If your day is heavy on writing or coding and your layout hides Home behind a finger gymnastic, remap it. The goal is a combo you can hit without looking. Two clean choices are Alt + H on Windows and a two-key chord like Caps Lock + H on Mac (via Karabiner). Pick one approach and use it everywhere so your hands don’t second-guess.
Safe Picks For External Resources
For reference, Windows explains the default behavior on its help page, and Apple documents the Mac equivalents in its guide. Those two pages stay current and cover edge cases like document-level vs. line-level moves.
Bottom Line
On a big notebook, look to the top-right cluster or numpad. On compact boards, press the Fn-layer move. On a Mac, tap Command + Left for the cursor and Fn + Left for document top. On a Chromebook, use the Search/Launcher combos. With those moves, you’ll never hunt for the label again.