import javax.swing.*; import java.awt.event.*; public class KeypressTest { public static void main(String[] args) { JFrame jf = new JFrame(); jf.getContentPane().add(new JLabel("Make sure this window has focus, then hit some keys")); jf.getContentPane().add(new JLabel("CTRL-C at your console to quit")); jf.addKeyListener( new KeyListener() { public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e) { System.out.println("PRESSED " + e); } public void keyReleased(KeyEvent e) { System.out.println("RELEASED " + e); } public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e) { // You are probably not interested in typed events // System.out.println("TYPED " + e); } } ); jf.setSize(400, 400); jf.setVisible(true); } }