The Delete key is in the top row, where the Backspace key usually sits on a Windows or Mac keyboard
On a Chromebook, the Delete key occupies the spot where you would find Backspace on a traditional keyboard — in the top right area of the number row, usually marked with a left-pointing arrow or the word "Backspace". This key deletes the character to the left of your cursor, just like Backspace does on other computers.
Chromebooks do not have a separate Delete key that removes characters to the right of the cursor the way Windows and Mac keyboards do. If you need that function, you can hold Alt and press the Backspace key to delete forward instead of backward. This takes practice if you are used to a traditional Delete key, but it works the same way once you know the combination.
The layout varies slightly depending on your Chromebook model and keyboard language, but the Backspace/Delete key is always in the same general location: top row, right side, near the number keys. Look for the arrow symbol pointing left.
Key Takeaways
- The Delete key on a Chromebook is labeled as Backspace and sits in the top row near the numbers, marked with a left-pointing arrow.
- Pressing Backspace deletes the character to the left of your cursor, the same as on Windows or Mac computers.
- To delete characters to the right of your cursor, hold Alt and press Backspace instead.
- External keyboards connected to a Chromebook may have a traditional Delete key that works as expected.
How Backspace works differently on Chromebooks
The Chromebook keyboard is simplified compared to a full Windows or Mac keyboard. Instead of having both a Backspace key and a separate Delete key, Chromebooks combine both functions into one key. This saves space and keeps the keyboard compact, which matters on smaller Chromebook models.
When you press Backspace alone, it removes the character when ready before your cursor. This is the most common delete action — removing a typo you just made. When you hold Alt and press Backspace, it removes the character after your cursor instead, which is what a traditional Delete key does. Most Chromebook users rarely need the Alt+Backspace combination because they catch mistakes as they type.
Using an external keyboard with your Chromebook
If you connect a standard USB or Bluetooth keyboard to your Chromebook, the external keyboard's Delete key will work as a true forward-delete key without needing Alt. Many people who use Chromebooks for long writing sessions or data entry prefer external keyboards because they feel more familiar and have the full key layout they are used to.
The external keyboard does not change how the Chromebook's built-in keyboard works — both can be used at the same time, and the Chromebook will respond to whichever one you press. If you find yourself reaching for a Delete key that is not there, adding an external keyboard is a straightforward solution.
Where the Delete key is on different Chromebook models
Most Chromebooks follow the same keyboard layout, so the Backspace key is consistently in the top row. However, some Chromebooks designed for specific regions or languages may have slightly different layouts. The key to finding it is looking for the left-pointing arrow symbol in the top right area of the keyboard, near the number row.
Convertible Chromebooks (the ones that fold into tablet mode) have the same keyboard layout when the screen is upright. When you fold the screen back, the keyboard is still accessible if you keep the device in tent mode, though you may find it awkward to use. In full tablet mode, the on-screen keyboard appears, and you can tap a delete button there instead.
Deleting text in different Chromebook apps
The Backspace key works the same way in Google Docs, Gmail, Google Sheets, and most web-based apps. It removes the character to the left of your cursor. If you are typing in a text field and need to delete forward, Alt+Backspace will work in most cases, though some older web apps may not recognize the combination.
In Google Docs specifically, you can also select text with your mouse or trackpad and press Backspace to delete the entire selection at once. This is faster than deleting character by character if you need to remove a whole word or sentence. The same selection-and-delete method works in Gmail, Google Sheets, and most other Google apps.
Keyboard shortcuts that work with Backspace on Chromebooks
Holding Ctrl and pressing Backspace deletes the entire word to the left of your cursor, not just one letter. This is useful when you mistype a word and want to remove it quickly without pressing Backspace multiple times. Ctrl+Backspace works in Google Docs, Gmail, and most text fields on the web.
Holding Shift and pressing Backspace does not do anything special on Chromebooks — Shift+Backspace is not a standard shortcut. However, you can select text by holding Shift and using the arrow keys, then press Backspace to delete the selection. This gives you fine control over what you remove.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Chromebook not have a Delete key?
Chromebooks use a simplified keyboard layout to save space and reduce cost. The Backspace key handles both backward and forward deletion when you combine it with Alt. This design choice is intentional and matches how most Chromebook users work — catching and fixing mistakes as they type rather than deleting forward.
Can I remap the Backspace key to work differently?
Chromebooks do not allow you to remap individual keys through the settings menu the way Windows or Mac computers do. If you need a different key layout, your best option is to use an external keyboard with the layout you prefer, or to learn the Alt+Backspace combination for forward deletion.
Does Alt+Backspace work in all Chromebook apps?
Alt+Backspace works in most Google apps and modern web applications, but some older websites or specialized tools may not recognize it. If it does not work in a specific app, try selecting the text you want to delete and pressing Backspace instead, which works almost everywhere.
What if my external keyboard's Delete key does not work?
Make sure the keyboard is fully connected — try unplugging and reconnecting it, or re-pairing it if it is Bluetooth. If the Delete key still does not work, the keyboard itself may be faulty. Test it on another computer if possible to confirm whether the problem is the keyboard or the Chromebook.
Is there a Delete key on the Chromebook on-screen keyboard?
Yes. When you use a Chromebook in tablet mode or tap on a text field where the on-screen keyboard appears, a delete button (usually marked with a backspace arrow) is visible. Tap it to delete the character to the left of your cursor, just like pressing the physical Backspace key.