The Outer Worlds 2 – Complete PC & Controller Keybinds Guide
Published October 25, 2025
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.
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 like F6 or Mouse 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.
