Quick Answer
Swipe with two fingers to scroll, three fingers up or down to see all open windows or switch virtual desks, and three fingers left or right to move between browser tabs. Tap with two fingers to right-click, and tap with three fingers on a link to open it in a new tab.
The Full Gesture List
Scrolling and clicking
- Scroll: Swipe with two fingers up or down (or left/right for horizontal content).
- Right-click: Tap with two fingers anywhere on the trackpad.
- Open link in new tab: Tap a link with three fingers.
- Drag and drop: Tap and hold with one finger, then drag with a second.
Window and tab navigation
- Switch between browser tabs: Swipe left or right with three fingers.
- See all open windows (Overview mode): Swipe up with three fingers.
- Switch between virtual desks: Swipe left or right with four fingers.
- Show the desktop: Swipe down with three fingers from Overview mode.
Zoom
- Zoom in or out: Pinch with two fingers, or hold Ctrl and scroll with two fingers.
How to Adjust Trackpad Settings
Step 1: Open trackpad settings
Go to Settings > Device > Trackpad.
Step 2: Adjust speed and tap-to-click
Use the speed slider to make the cursor move faster or slower per movement, and toggle “Tap to click” on if you’d rather tap than physically press down.
Step 3: Reverse scrolling direction
Toggle “Enable reverse scrolling” if content moves the opposite direction from what feels natural, which is a common preference switch for people coming from other operating systems.
Still Stuck?
If gestures stop responding altogether, or the cursor jumps unpredictably, that usually points to a hardware issue rather than a settings problem; see our HP trackpad replacement guide or the equivalent ASUS trackpad and hinge guide for signs it needs physical repair rather than a software fix. If the cursor disappears entirely instead of just misbehaving, follow our fix for a missing Chromebook cursor first.
FAQ
Do these gestures work with any external trackpad or mouse?
Multi-finger gestures are specific to the built-in trackpad. An external mouse uses right-click and scroll wheel instead, though a Bluetooth trackpad from certain brands may replicate some gestures.
Can I customize which gesture does what?
Not extensively. ChromeOS’s gesture set is largely fixed, though a small number of related actions can be reassigned through the Shortcuts app if they have a keyboard-equivalent action.
Why does two-finger scrolling feel jumpy?
This is often a sensitivity setting rather than a hardware fault. Try adjusting the speed slider in Trackpad settings before assuming it’s a hardware problem.
