Emacs Keys: Super Hyper

By Xah Lee. Date: 2010-07-31. Last updated: 2026-01-06.

What is Super Key, Hyper Key

Emacs supports extra modifier keys called Super and Hyper. These keys are historically on Lisp Machine Keyboards ⌨ .

You can make any of ❖ Window or ▤ Menu or ⌥ option do Hyper or Super .

What Commands Use Super or Hyper Key

By default, emacs does not bind any command to super or hyper key.

Remap Key to Send Super Hyper

Linux, Setup Super Hyper Keys

By default, the ❖ Window key does Super.
On Linux, you remap Super and Hyper key in the Operating System settings. For example, in Ubuntu 11.04, it's under menu [System ▸ Preferences ▸ keyboard] then “Layout” tap, “Options…” button.

Note that some Linux predefines some Super keybinding. You need to take them off before emacs can see it. Best way to check is simply try define the key in emacs first and see if it works.

Linux: Keybinding Tutorial

Super Hyper Keybinding Syntax

H is syntax for Hyper.
s (lowercase s) is syntax for Super.

;; examples of keybinding with hyper or super key
;; for Emacs 29 or later

;; H is for hyper
(keymap-global-set "H-b" #'backward-word)

;; lower case s is for super
(keymap-global-set "s-b" #'backward-word)

;; Hyper+Meta+b
(keymap-global-set "H-M-b" #'backward-word)

;; Meta+Super+b
(keymap-global-set "M-s-b" #'backward-word)

🛑 WARNING: Key Ghosting

Be aware that most keyboards won't be able to detect certain combination of keys. This is called “n-key rollover”.

For example, on Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard, the key ▤ Menu+RShift+x does not register (but with left Shift it does). So, if you have set ▤ Menu to do Hyper, then Hyper+RShift+X won't work.

Vast majority of keyboards have ghosting problem, including Apple keyboards. For detail, see: Max Number of Simultaneous Key-Press (N-key Rollover, NKRO, Ghosting) .