Duplicate Layer in Photoshop (macOS)
Press Command + J to copy the active layer, or the selected area, to a new layer.
What it does
With no selection, the command makes a copy of the whole active layer right above it. With a selection, only the selected pixels go to the new layer, which is a common way to lift an object off its background. The original stays as it was, so the copy is a safe place to try a filter or a retouch.
The same shortcut on other platforms
| Platform | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| macOSthis page | Command + J |
| Windows |
More Photoshop shortcuts: Layer shortcuts
- Delete layer
- Clone layer while moving
- Cycle blend modes up
- Cycle blend modes down
- Switch to layer below
All 212 Photoshop shortcuts for macOSThe full list has a search and a printable PDF.
Questions
What is the Photoshop shortcut for Duplicate Layer on macOS?
⌘J (Command + J). Press it to copy the active layer, or the selected area, to a new layer.
What is the shortcut for Duplicate Layer in Photoshop on Windows?
On Windows it is Ctrl+J.