Day One FixesSolvedHow-toUpdated 2025-10-01
The Outer Worlds 2 – Complete PC & Controller Keybinds Guide
Short answer
If you’ve just started The Outer Worlds 2 and want to know the default keybindings and controller layout, this guide lists everything from movement and combat to menu navigation and companions, based on the in-game settings shown in the latest 2025 build.
If you’ve just started The Outer Worlds 2 and want to know the default keybindings and controller layout, this guide lists everything from movement and combat to menu navigation and companions, based on the in-game settings shown in the latest 2025 build.
🎮 Overview
This guide covers:
- Default keyboard & mouse controls
- Default controller bindings (Xbox/PlayStation layouts)
- Menu and inventory shortcuts
- Tips for rebinding and adjusting preferences
You can change all bindings anytime under:
Settings → Controls → Edit Keybindings
🧭 Movement Controls
| Action | Key | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Walk Forward | W | Left Stick Up |
| Walk Backward | S | Left Stick Down |
| Strafe Left | A | Left Stick Left |
| Strafe Right | D | Left Stick Right |
| Turn Left / Right | Mouse Movement / Arrow Keys | Right Stick |
| Look Up / Down | Mouse Movement | Right Stick |
| Sprint | Left Shift | L3 (Left Stick Press) |
| Jump | Space Bar | A / Cross |
| Crouch / Sneak | Left Ctrl | B / Circle |
| Auto-Sprint Toggle | Caps Lock | Click Left Stick Twice |
| Use / Interact (Primary) | E | X / Square |
| Interact (Secondary) | F | Y / Triangle |
⚔️ Combat & Weapons
| Action | Key | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Attack (Primary Fire) | Left Mouse Button | RT / R2 |
| Power Attack / Holster (Hold) | R | Hold RT / R2 |
| Aim / Block | Right Mouse Button | LT / L2 |
| Quick Melee | T | R3 (Right Stick Click) |
| Reload | R | X / Square |
| Throw (Hold to Aim)** | G | RB / R1 |
| Inhaler (Heal)** | Z | D-Pad Up |
| Gadget Activation (Toggle)** | Q | LB / L1 |
| Companion 1 Special Ability | V | D-Pad Left |
| Companion 2 Special Ability | C | D-Pad Right |
| Weapon 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 | 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 | D-Pad Down (Cycle) |
| Next Weapon / Previous Weapon | Mouse Wheel / Scroll | Right Bumper / Left Bumper |
| Last Weapon | 5 | Y / Triangle |
🧰 Utility & Equipment
| Action | Key | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle Flashlight | L | D-Pad Down |
| Quick Save | F5 | Not Available (Auto only) |
| Quick Load | F9 | Not Available |
| Equipment Radial | Mouse Wheel Click / Middle Mouse | Hold LB / L1 |
| Next Throwable | X | RB / R1 |
| Next Gadget | 5 | RB / R1 (Hold) |
| Life (Alternate Shoulder)** | H | L3 / Left Stick Press |
📖 Menus & Interface
| Action | Key | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Pause / Main Menu | Esc | Start / Options |
| View Journal | J | Select / Touchpad |
| View Inventory | I | D-Pad Right (Hold) |
| View Character Menu | K | D-Pad Left (Hold) |
| View Ledger | Tab | Back / Touchpad (Hold) |
| View Map | M | Menu Shortcut / Back |
| View Companion Menu | Comma (,) | Press Right Stick |
| View Quest Log | TAB / J | Back / Touchpad |
| Toggle HUD | Y | None (PC Only) |
| Skip Cutscene | Enter / Space | A / Cross |
| Scroll Up / Down (Menus)** | Mouse Wheel / Arrow Keys | D-Pad Up / Down |
⚙️ Controller Settings
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Controller Vibration | On | Enables haptic feedback |
| Controller Auto-Sprint | On | Automatically runs when moving forward |
| Invert X Axis | Off | Flip horizontal camera direction |
| Invert Y Axis | Off | Flip vertical camera direction |
| Aim Sensitivity | 33% | Adjust camera sensitivity when aiming |
| Look Sensitivity | 33% | Default camera movement speed |
| Dead Zone Left (Inner/Outer) | 15% / 5% | Adjust left stick response |
| Dead Zone Right (Inner/Outer) | 10% / 5% | Adjust right stick accuracy |
🖱️ Mouse & Keyboard Settings
| Option | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse Sensitivity | 50% | Adjust for precise aiming |
| Mouse Aim Sensitivity | 49% | Affects scoped or ADS control |
| Invert X / Y | Off | Standard FPS-style layout |
| Sprint Preference | Hold | Can switch to Toggle |
| Crouch Preference | Toggle | Useful for stealth |
| Aim Preference | Hold | Hold right-click to aim |
| General Input Mode | Mouse & Keyboard | Switchable to Controller anytime |
💡 Tips for Customization
- Crouch Toggle vs Hold:
If you prefer stealth movement, set crouch to Hold for smoother transitions. - Auto-Sprint:
Keep it on if you’re exploring large outdoor areas — saves finger strain. - Dead Zone Adjustments:
Reduce dead zones slightly (5–8%) for more responsive aiming on controllers. - Quick-Save Remap:
You can safely bind Quick Save to another key likeF6orMouse 4.
🎯 Pro Controller Layout (Recommended Alternative)
If you prefer an action-focused setup:
| Action | Suggested Change |
|---|---|
| Heal (Inhaler) | Move to Right Stick Click (R3) for faster reaction |
| Throw / Gadget | Keep both on Shoulders for quick tactical swaps |
| Flashlight | Map to D-Pad Up |
| Companion Abilities | D-Pad Left / Right (Default — good placement) |
🧠 Quick Reference Summary
| Category | Primary Key / Button |
|---|---|
| Move | WASD / Left Stick |
| Jump | Space / A |
| Sprint | Shift / L3 |
| Crouch | Ctrl / B |
| Attack | LMB / RT |
| Aim | RMB / LT |
| Reload | R / X |
| Interact | E / X |
| Heal | Z / D-Pad Up |
| Flashlight | L / D-Pad Down |
| Journal | J / Select |
| Map | M / Menu |
| Inventory | I / D-Pad Right |
| Save / Load | F5 / F9 |
| Pause | Esc / Start |
✅ Notes for Players Testing the Early Build (2025)
- The Outer Worlds 2 defaults to a “Hold-to-Aim” and “Toggle Crouch” control scheme, unlike the first game’s Toggle-Aim setup.
- Controller settings retain auto-sprint, but you can disable it if you prefer manual control for precision shooting.
- The new radial equipment system allows faster switching between throwables, inhalers, and gadgets.
🔧 Conclusion
These are the default and optimal keybindings for The Outer Worlds 2 (2025).
Whether you play on PC or console, these layouts offer full command over exploration, combat, and dialogue.
You can freely customize bindings to fit your comfort — just remember to save your preset in Settings → Controls → Save Custom Scheme before exiting the menu.