Krita is a powerful, flexible digital painting application loved by illustrators, comic artists, and designers around the world. One of its most useful features is Full Screen Mode, which gives you an immersive, distraction-free canvas. However, if you accidentally enter full screen or simply want your panels and toolbars back, you might find yourself wondering how to exit quickly. Fortunately, getting out of full screen mode in Krita is simple once you know where to look.
TLDR: To exit Full Screen Mode in Krita quickly, press the Tab key to toggle canvas-only view or use Ctrl + Shift + F (or check the View menu) to leave full screen mode. You can also move your cursor to reveal hidden panels or customize shortcuts in settings. If you’re stuck, resetting workspace settings may help. Mastering these shortcuts saves time and keeps your workflow smooth.
Understanding Full Screen Mode in Krita
Before jumping into the solution, it helps to understand what full screen mode actually does in Krita. Unlike some programs, Krita offers multiple levels of screen immersion. This can sometimes cause confusion because you may think you’re in full screen when you’re technically in canvas-only mode instead.
There are typically three display states you might encounter:
- Standard Mode – Toolbars, dockers, and menus are visible.
- Canvas-Only Mode – Most interface panels are hidden.
- Full Screen Mode – The application fills your entire screen, hiding system taskbars.
Knowing which mode you’re in makes it much easier to exit correctly.
The Fastest Way to Exit Full Screen Mode
If you want the quickest solution, try this first:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + F
This shortcut toggles Full Screen Mode on and off. Simply pressing it again restores your window to its normal state.
If that doesn’t seem to work, you may actually be in Canvas-Only Mode. In that case:
- Press the Tab key
The Tab key hides and reveals dockers like Layers, Brushes, and Tool Options. Many users press Tab accidentally and assume the program is stuck in full screen.
Image not found in postmetaUsing the View Menu to Exit Full Screen
If you prefer using menus instead of keyboard shortcuts, you can exit full screen mode from the top menu bar.
- Move your cursor to the top of the screen.
- Click on View.
- Look for Full Screen Mode.
- If it’s checked, click it to uncheck and exit.
This method works well if you forget shortcuts or are working on a new keyboard layout.
Mouse Tricks for Quickly Revealing Panels
Sometimes Krita hides panels but not the entire application window. If that’s your situation, try moving your cursor:
- Hover near the edges of the screen.
- Check if hidden panels appear.
- Right-click the canvas to see quick options.
This can help you verify whether you’re truly in full screen or simply in a temporarily hidden workspace.
How to Customize or Check Your Shortcuts
If the default shortcut doesn’t work, it’s possible the key binding was changed. Krita allows extensive shortcut customization, which is fantastic for productivity—but sometimes confusing.
To check your shortcuts:
- Click Settings in the top menu.
- Select Configure Krita.
- Navigate to Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Search for “Full Screen Mode.”
Here, you can confirm which shortcut is assigned or set a new one if needed.
Pro tip: Assign a shortcut that feels intuitive and easy to remember. For example, if you often hit Tab by accident, make sure your full screen toggle is distinct.
Exiting Full Screen on Different Operating Systems
Krita works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. While the default shortcut is usually the same, there may be slight differences based on operating system behavior.
Windows
- Use Ctrl + Shift + F
- Check the View menu
- Press Tab to restore panels
macOS
- Try Cmd + Shift + F if Ctrl doesn’t work
- Use the green window button to exit system full screen
Linux
- Most Linux distributions follow the standard Ctrl + Shift + F
- Check your window manager settings if issues persist
Sometimes the operating system itself forces an additional full screen state, especially on macOS.
When Krita Seems “Stuck” in Full Screen
Every now and then, users report that Krita appears frozen in full screen mode. If shortcuts don’t respond, try these fixes:
- Press Esc
- Try Alt + Tab to switch applications
- Restart Krita
- Reset your workspace layout
To reset workspace layout:
- Go to Window
- Select Workspace
- Choose a default workspace preset
This often restores panels and corrects display issues.
Image not found in postmetaWhy Full Screen Mode Is Actually Useful
Once you learn how to exit it quickly, full screen mode becomes a powerful ally rather than a frustration. Many professional artists purposely switch in and out of this mode dozens of times per session.
Benefits include:
- Better focus with fewer distractions
- More canvas space on smaller screens
- Cleaner presentation when showing clients
- Improved flow state during detailed painting
If you develop a habit of toggling full screen intentionally, it can significantly enhance your workflow.
Common User Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few frequent issues that make exiting full screen harder than it needs to be:
- Confusing Canvas-Only Mode with Full Screen Mode
- Accidentally remapping shortcuts
- Using a custom workspace without realizing it
- Forgetting OS-level full screen settings
Understanding these differences helps avoid unnecessary frustration.
Creating a Smooth Workflow with Display Modes
Advanced Krita users often combine several interface modes strategically. For example:
- Use Standard Mode while selecting brushes and organizing layers.
- Switch to Canvas-Only Mode during sketching.
- Enter Full Screen Mode for detail rendering.
This layered approach allows maximum efficiency without cluttering your screen.
Once you’re comfortable switching between states using shortcuts, the transitions become second nature. You’ll spend less time managing windows and more time creating artwork.
Final Thoughts
Exiting Full Screen Mode in Krita is quick and easy once you understand the difference between Full Screen and Canvas-Only. In most cases, pressing Ctrl + Shift + F or simply tapping Tab will instantly restore your normal workspace. If problems arise, checking shortcut settings or resetting your workspace usually solves the issue.
Krita is designed for flexibility and speed, and mastering simple display shortcuts gives you greater control over your creative environment. After all, the goal isn’t just to know how to exit full screen—it’s to move confidently between modes so your ideas can flow without interruption.
