Simple Ways to Open a Terminal in Ubuntu

PDF download Download Article
A step-by-step tutorial to launching Ubuntu terminals
PDF download Download Article

The quickest way to open the Terminal application in Ubuntu is to use one of the major keyboard shortcuts. You can also search for Terminal in the Dash, or add a shortcut to your Launcher. In older versions of Ubuntu, you can find it in the Applications folder.

Ubuntu Terminal Shortcuts

  1. Press “CTRL” + “ALT” + “T.”
  2. Press “ALT” + “F2.” Then, type “gnome_terminal”.
  3. Press the “Dash” or “Windows” key. Then, type “terminal”.
  4. Go to Settings > Hardware > Keyboard > Shortcuts to make your own shortcut.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

PDF download Download Article
  1. Ctrl + Alt + T . This will launch the Terminal. [1]
  2. Alt + F2 and type gnome-terminal . This will also launch the Terminal.
    Advertisement
  3. ⊞ Win + T (Xubuntu only). For general Ubuntu the shortcut is Ctrl + Alt + T This Xubuntu-specific shortcut will also launch Terminal. [2]
  4. You can change the shortcut from Ctrl + Alt + T to something else: [3]
    • Click the "System settings" button in the Launcher bar.
    • Click the "Keyboard" option in the "Hardware" section.
    • Click the "Shortcuts" tab.
    • Click the "Launchers" category and then highlight "Launch terminal."
    • Press your new keyboard shortcut.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using the Dash

PDF download Download Article
  1. ⊞ Win . The Dash button can be found in the upper-left corner, and has the Ubuntu logo.
    • If you switched your Super Key from ⊞ Win to something else, press the new key instead.
  3. ⏎ Return . [4]
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using a Launcher Shortcut

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can find this in the Launcher bar, and it has the Ubuntu logo.
    5. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Ubuntu 10.04 and Earlier

PDF download Download Article
  1. This can be found in the Launcher bar in older versions of Ubuntu. [5]
  2. In Xubuntu, click "System" instead. [6]
  3. [7]
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I stop the terminal from starting automatically when I start up my computer?
    Community Answer
    You can either use a software like the program "Clean my Mac" or you can put the program in your dock. When in dock, you can right click (or hold the left click button) and press ''alternatives'.' From there you may navigate to the button saying "open" on "login." If you press that button, the terminal won't open anymore.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Burn a CD in Ubuntu Linux
      How to
      Boot an Ubuntu ISO from Your Hard Drive
      Installing Windows 10 or 11 on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide
      How to
      Install GNOME Desktop on Ubuntu: Full, Minimal, & Vanilla
      How to
      Format a USB Flash Drive in Ubuntu
      How to
      Uninstall Ubuntu Software
      How to
      Get Root Access in Ubuntu Linux
      How to
      Change Keyboard Layout in Ubuntu
      Ubuntu Software Installation: The Complete Beginner's Guide
      How to
      Install Ubuntu on VirtualBox
      How to
      Format a Hard Drive Using Ubuntu
      How to
      Install Ubuntu Linux: Dual Boot with Windows or macOS
      How to
      Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux
      Easily Run Windows Applications on Ubuntu Linux with Wine
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/command-line-for-beginners#3-opening-a-terminal
      2. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal#Starting%20a%20Terminal
      3. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/keyboard-shortcuts-set.html.en
      4. ↑ https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/command-line-for-beginners#3-opening-a-terminal
      5. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal
      6. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal
      7. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click the Dash button.
      2. Type "terminal".
      3. Press Enter.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 583,379 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement