---
id: api/commands/press
title: cy.press() | Cypress Documentation
description: >-
  Trigger native key events in your application to simulate keyboard
  interactions.
section: api
source_path: docs/api/commands/press.mdx
version: 48b03b5502f7aea1d0454750cce208f775403542
updated_at: '2026-05-20T19:00:20.270Z'
---
# press

Trigger native key events in your application to simulate keyboard interactions.

A `keydown` and `keyup` event will be dispatched directly to the browser window.

Unlike `cy.type()`, which is best for typing multiple character keys, `cy.press()` will dispatch real keyboard events rather than simulated ones. This command is especially useful when testing focus management and keyboard navigation patterns which are critical for [accessibility testing](/llm/markdown/app/guides/accessibility-testing.md) and great keyboard UX.

## Syntax

```
cy.press(key)cy.press(key, options)
```

## Signature

```
interface PressCommand {  (    key: KeyPressSupportedKeys,    options?: Partial<Cypress.Loggable> & Partial<Cypress.Timeoutable>  ): void}
```

## Usage

**Correct Usage**

```
cy.get('input.first').focus()cy.press(Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.TAB)cy.get('input.second').should('have.focus')
```

**Incorrect Usage**

```
cy.get('input.first').focus()cy.press(Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.TAB)  // Errors because press yields null  .should('have.focus')
```

### Arguments

**key _(String)_**

The key to press. Values for non single character keys are available on [`Cypress.Keyboard.Keys`](/llm/markdown/api/cypress-api/keyboard-api.md), and may change from time to time. It's recommended that you reference these values from `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys` rather than passing in a string when available.

#### Supported Keys

| Reference | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Letters | `"a"` through `"z"`, `"A"` through `"Z"` |
| Numbers | `"0"`, `"1"`, `"2"`, `"3"`, `"4"`, `"5"`, `"6"`, `"7"`, `"8"`, `"9"` |
| Special Characters | `"!"`, `"@"`, `"#"`, `'+'`, `"€"`, `"é"`, etc. |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.UP` | `"ArrowUp"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.DOWN` | `"ArrowDown"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.LEFT` | `"ArrowLeft"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.RIGHT` | `"ArrowRight"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.ESC` | `"Escape"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.END` | `"End"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.HOME` | `"Home"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.PAGEDOWN` | `"PageDown"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.PAGEUP` | `"PageUp"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.ENTER` | `"Enter"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.TAB` | `"Tab"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.BACKSPACE` | `"Backspace"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.DELETE` | `"Delete"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.INSERT` | `"Insert"` |
| `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.SPACE` | `"Space"` |

F1-F12 keys are not supported. These keys are used for browser shortcuts, and can prevent the test suite from executing properly after they are pressed.

**options _(Object)_**

Pass in an options object to change the default behavior of `.press()`.

| Option | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `log` | `true` | Displays the command in the [Command log](/llm/markdown/app/core-concepts/open-mode.md#Command-Log) |
| `timeout` | [`defaultCommandTimeout`](/llm/markdown/app/references/configuration.md#Timeouts) | Time to wait for `cy.press()` to resolve before timing out |

### Yields [Learn about subject management](/llm/markdown/app/core-concepts/introduction-to-cypress.md#Subject-Management)

*   `cy.press()` yields `null`.

## Examples

### Test focus order of tab

```
it('moves focus to the next form element when pressing Tab', () => {  cy.visit('/my-login')  cy.get('input.email').type('username')  cy.press(Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.TAB)  cy.get('input.password').should('have.focus')})
```

### Test autocomplete of search input with tab

```
it('autocompletes search input when pressing Tab', () => {  cy.get('[data-cy="search"]').type('cy')  cy.press(Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.TAB)  cy.get('[data-cy="search"]').should('have.value', 'cypress')})
```

### Type a single character

Single character keys are supported, like `a`, `b`, `c`, etc. There is no need to reference `Cypress.Keyboard.Keys` record for these keys, just type them normally as a string:

```
cy.get('input').focus()cy.press('a')
```

### Type a multi-codepoint UTF-8 character

Multi-codepoint UTF-8 characters are also supported and do not need to be entered as individual codepoints. For example, `é` can be either one single codepoint or two separate codepoints when the accent is pressed as a subsequent modifier key. You do not need to press each codepoint separately; just type the entire character as a string.

```
// workscy.get('input').focus()cy.press('é') // \u00e9 (composed é)cy.press('é') // \u0065\u0301 (e + combining acute accent)// also fine, but not necessarycy.get('input').focus()cy.press('e') // \u0065cy.press('́') // \u0301 (combining acute accent)
```

## Notes

### When to use cy.type()

While `.press()` dispatches native keyboard events, use [`cy.type()`](/llm/markdown/api/commands/type.md) for:

*   **Text input**: Typing multiple characters or words
*   **Special character sequences**: `{backspace}`, `{selectAll}`, `{moveToEnd}`
*   **Modifier combinations**: `{ctrl}c`, `{shift}b`
*   **Form filling**: When you need to simulate specific timing of typing behavior

```
// Use .press() for single key eventscy.press(Cypress.Keyboard.Keys.TAB)// Use .type() for text and complex sequencescy.get('input').type('Hello{backspace}World')
```

### Strings with multiple characters

Strings with multiple characters are not supported. If you need to input longer strings into a text input or similar, use [`cy.type()`](/llm/markdown/api/commands/type.md).

```
cy.get('input').type('Hello, World') // Type 'Hello, World' into the 'input'
```

### Transient activation

By dispatching native keyboard events to the browser, this command will cause the browser to enter [Transient activation](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Transient_activation) state.

If your application prevents the default behavior of the `beforeunload` event, this may cause issues when navigating away from the current page.

## History

| Version | Changes |
| --- | --- |
| [15.3.0](/llm/markdown/app/references/changelog.md) | Added support for `{esc}` key. |
| [15.1.0](/llm/markdown/app/references/changelog.md) | Expanded support to include named keys and single+multi-codepoint UTF-8 characters. |
| [14.3.0](/llm/markdown/app/references/changelog.md) | Added the `.press()` command |

## See also

*   [`cy.type()`](/llm/markdown/api/commands/type.md) - For typing text and special sequences
*   [`.focus()`](/llm/markdown/api/commands/focus.md) - Focus elements before pressing keys
*   [`.focused()`](/llm/markdown/api/commands/focused.md) - Assert focused elements
*   [`.click()`](/llm/markdown/api/commands/click.md) - Click elements
*   [`Cypress.Keyboard`](/llm/markdown/api/cypress-api/keyboard-api.md) - Keyboard constants
*   [Accessibility Testing Guide](/llm/markdown/app/guides/accessibility-testing.md) - Keyboard navigation patterns