Software basics · Beginner

Selection modes

The three ways to pick parts of a mesh while editing: vertices, edges or faces

Also called Select modes, Vertex, edge and face select

What are selection modes in Blender?

Selection modes decide which part of a mesh a click picks up while you edit it: points (vertices), lines (edges) or flat areas (faces). In Blender’s Edit Mode, vertex, edge and face select are on keys 1, 2 and 3, and you switch between them constantly while modeling.

Think of it like this

Like a map you can tap for a town, a road or a whole region: the map stays the same, and the mode decides what one tap picks.

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 selection modes work

  1. 01Enter Edit Mode on a mesh with Tab.
  2. 02Press 1 for vertex, 2 for edge or 3 for face select, or use the header icons.
  3. 03Click, drag a box, or Alt-click to grab a whole loop in the current mode.
  4. 04Switching modes keeps your selection, converted to the matching vertices, edges or faces.

Where selection modes are used

  • Grabbing single points to shape a mesh by hand
  • Picking edges to bevel, crease or mark as UV seams
  • Selecting faces to extrude, inset or assign a material

Beginner tip

Hold Shift and click a second mode icon in the header to turn on two modes at once, such as vertex and edge. It saves switching back and forth during small tweaks.

Terms related to selection modes

Selection modes FAQ

How do I change selection mode in Blender?
In Edit Mode, press 1 for vertex, 2 for edge and 3 for face, using the number row above the letters. The same three icons sit at the left of the 3D viewport header, next to the mode menu.
Can you use more than one selection mode at once?
Yes. Hold Shift and click a second mode icon in the viewport header, and both modes stay active together. Clicking one icon without Shift goes back to a single mode.
Why don’t the 1, 2 and 3 keys change selection mode?
Selection modes only exist in Edit Mode, so press Tab first. Also check you are using the number row: the numpad keys with the same digits move the view instead.
Which selection mode should a beginner use?
All three, for different jobs. Vertex mode is best for nudging the shape, edge mode for loops, bevels and seams, and face mode for extruding, insetting and assigning materials. Most modelers switch many times a minute.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms