Table of Contents
Who this is for: New FNF players learning the basic controls and experienced players considering alternative keybind setups.
Ready to jump in? Play friday night funkin classic games and put your newfound control knowledge to the test!
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Default Arrow Key Controls
Friday Night Funkin uses a simple four-key control scheme that mirrors the arrow directions on screen. The default controls are:
- Left Arrow – Hit left-facing notes
- Down Arrow – Hit down-facing notes
- Up Arrow – Hit up-facing notes
- Right Arrow – Hit right-facing notes
These controls work for both the story mode battles and freeplay sessions. Simply press the corresponding arrow key when the note reaches the judgment line at the top of the screen.
Alternative WASD Controls
Many players prefer using WASD keys instead of arrows, especially those coming from other rhythm games. The WASD mapping is:
- A – Left notes
- S – Down notes
- W – Up notes
- D – Right notes
This setup keeps your hands in a more comfortable gaming position and can feel more natural for extended play sessions.
Custom Keybind Options
Most FNF versions and mods allow you to customize your controls. Popular alternatives include:
| Control Set | Left | Down | Up | Right |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFJK | D | F | J | K |
| ZXCV | Z | X | C | V |
| 1234 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
The DFJK setup is particularly popular among rhythm game veterans since it mirrors the layout used in games like osu!mania.
Menu Navigation
Beyond the main gameplay controls, you’ll need these keys for navigating menus:
- Enter – Select/confirm
- Escape – Back/pause
- Arrow keys – Navigate menu options
Tips for Control Mastery
Start with whichever control scheme feels most comfortable – there’s no “correct” choice. Many players find WASD easier for learning since your fingers naturally rest there while typing. However, some prefer arrows because they match the visual direction of the notes exactly.
Practice on easier songs first to build muscle memory with your chosen controls. The key is consistency – stick with one control scheme rather than switching back and forth. If you’re ready to test your rhythm skills, you can experience the original game that started this musical phenomenon.
TL;DR
FNF uses arrow keys by default (↑↓←→) but many players prefer WASD or custom keybinds like DFJK. Choose what feels comfortable and stick with it for consistency.
