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New Layer in Photoshop (macOS)

Press Shift + Command + N to create a new layer, with a dialog for its name and settings.

What it does

The dialog asks for the name of the layer, a color label, the blending mode and the opacity. The new layer is empty and transparent and sits above the layer that was active. Working on separate layers keeps each change apart: a retouch, a painted shadow or a text can be hidden, moved or deleted without touching the rest.

The same shortcut on other platforms

PlatformShortcut
macOSthis pageShift + Command + N
Windows

More Photoshop shortcuts: Layer shortcuts

  • Duplicate layer
  • Delete layer
  • Clone layer while moving
  • Cycle blend modes up
  • Cycle blend modes down

All 212 Photoshop shortcuts for macOSThe full list has a search and a printable PDF.

Questions

What is the Photoshop shortcut for New Layer on macOS?

⇧⌘N (Shift + Command + N). Press it to create a new layer, with a dialog for its name and settings.

What is the shortcut for New Layer in Photoshop on Windows?

On Windows it is Ctrl+Shift+N.