Software basics · Beginner

3D cursor

Blender’s movable marker that sets where new objects appear

What is the 3D cursor?

The 3D cursor is a marker in Blender’s viewport, drawn as a red and white ring with crosshairs, that marks a point in 3D space. New objects appear there, and it can act as the center for rotating or scaling. Other apps handle the same job with a work plane or pivot.

Think of it like this

It is like a pin pushed into a map: it marks where the next thing goes, and you can move the pin whenever you like.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Create: Building the shape: modeling, sculpting, scanning or generating it.

How the 3D cursor works

  1. 01Shift plus right-click places the 3D cursor where you click on a surface.
  2. 02Adding a mesh or other object creates it at the cursor’s position.
  3. 03Setting the pivot point to 3D Cursor makes rotate and scale work around it.
  4. 04Shift+S opens a menu that snaps the cursor to a selection or the world origin.

Where the 3D cursor is used

  • Placing new objects exactly where you want them
  • Rotating or scaling around a chosen point
  • Moving an object’s origin to a specific spot

Beginner tip

Lost the cursor somewhere off in space? Press Shift+C to send it back to the world origin and frame the whole scene in one step.

Terms related to the 3D cursor

3D cursor FAQ

What is the 3D cursor in Blender used for?
Mostly placement. New objects are created at it, it can act as the pivot for rotating and scaling, and you can snap a selection or an object’s origin to it. Think of it as a reference point you can move.
How do I reset the 3D cursor?
Press Shift+C to move it to the world origin and frame everything, or use Shift+S > Cursor to World Origin to move it without changing your view.
How do I move the 3D cursor?
Shift plus right-click puts it on the surface you click. For an exact spot, snap it with Shift+S, or type its location in the sidebar’s View tab, under 3D Cursor.
Does the 3D cursor show up in renders?
No. It is a helper that exists only in the viewport, like the grid and the transform gizmos.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms