How to Select Connected Geometry Under Cursor in Blender

Selecting connected geometry under your cursor in Blender is a fundamental technique for fast and precise 3D modeling. This guide covers how to instantly select linked vertices, edges, or faces using the L and Ctrl + L shortcuts in Edit Mode, along with useful selection filters to refine your workflow.

Method 1: Hover and Press L (Fastest Method)

The quickest way to select connected geometry under your mouse pointer does not require you to click anything first:

  1. Switch to Edit Mode by pressing Tab.
  2. Move your mouse cursor directly over the part of the mesh you want to select.
  3. Press L on your keyboard.

Blender will instantly highlight the entire island of connected vertices, edges, or faces beneath your cursor.

Method 2: Select a Component and Press Ctrl + L

If you have already selected a single vertex, edge, or face, you can expand that selection to all geometry connected to it:

  1. In Edit Mode, select at least one element (vertex, edge, or face).
  2. Press Ctrl + L (or Cmd + L on macOS).

All geometry physically connected to your initial selection will be highlighted.

Filtering Connected Selections

After using the L or Ctrl + L shortcut, an Adjust Last Operation panel appears in the bottom-left corner of the viewport (or press F9 to open it).

You can restrict what Blender considers "connected" by checking one or more of the following options under Delimit:

  • Material: Only selects connected geometry that shares the same material slot.
  • Seam: Stops the selection at UV seams.
  • Sharp: Stops the selection at edges marked as sharp.
  • Normal: Stops the selection if the angle between adjacent faces exceeds a specified limit.
  • UVs: Selects only geometry connected within the UV map layout.

How to Deselect Connected Geometry

To remove an entire connected mesh piece from an active selection:

  1. Hover your cursor over the connected geometry you wish to deselect.
  2. Press Shift + L.