Download
Overview
Mouseless Browsing is a Firefox extension designed to let you navigate websites primarily with the keyboard. After installation an icon appears in the bottom-right corner of the browser, and the add-on marks links on a page with numeric labels (you can hide these labels when you don't need them). The basic goal is to let you follow links and control the browser without reaching for the mouse.
How it operates
- Hold Alt and press a link's number to open that link in a new tab.
- Press a number while holding Ctrl to have the extension click the link immediately.
- Type the link's number and then hit Enter to activate it.
- Use single-key shortcuts for common navigation tasks such as Back, Forward and Reload.
Who will get the most from it
This tool is best suited to people who prefer keyboard-driven interaction and are prepared to spend some time learning new key combinations. If your browsing is mostly passive—reading articles, watching videos—Mouseless Browsing can make staying in place and moving around pages quicker once you memorise the commands.
Downsides and practical problems
- Pages can become visually cluttered when many links are tagged with numbers, which some users will find unattractive.
- The documentation and on-screen guidance are minimal, so the initial learning curve can be frustrating.
- Some websites don’t receive full coverage — for example, in services like Gmail certain crucial controls (compose, message links) might not be assigned numbers, forcing you back to the mouse.
- The time investment to master the system may not justify the small time savings for casual browsing.
Final thoughts
Mouseless Browsing is an intriguing idea and valuable for keyboard enthusiasts who want to minimise mouse use. However, the visual clutter, patchy support on complex sites and sparse instructions make it a niche utility rather than a practical replacement for the mouse for most users.
Technical
- Mac
- Free
