How to change volume in smaller steps in Ubuntu

Ubuntu’s default volume jump can feel a bit too chunky. One tap on your volume keys and suddenly it’s too loud, especially on headphones, in meetings, or late at night.

Luckily, you have a few simple ways to make volume changes much more precise: a quick keyboard modifier for smaller steps, a GNOME setting to permanently adjust the step size, and another way to change the volume.

1. Use smaller steps with your keyboard (fastest)

• Press your normal volume keys (for instance on your keyboard):
  • XF86AudioRaiseVolume (volume up)
  • XF86AudioLowerVolume (volume down)
• For smaller increments, hold Shift while pressing them:
  • Shift + XF86AudioRaiseVolume
  • Shift + XF86AudioLowerVolume

This changes the step to a finer increment (often around 2%).

2. Permanently change the step size (GNOME setting)

Ubuntu (GNOME) exposes a setting called volume-step for media keys.

Check your current step

1. Open Terminal
2. Run:

gsettings get org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys volume-step

Set a smaller steps:

1. Set to 2:

gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys volume-step 2

2. Set to 1 (very fine):

gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys volume-step 1

Reset back to the default:

gsettings reset org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys volume-step

Note: volume-step is an integer. The default is 6, and there’s a supported range from 1 to 20.

3. Another way to change volume on Ubuntu

Hover over the volume icon in the Sytem top bar and then scroll your mouse wheel or touchpad to nudge volume in small increments.

Summary

If you just need finer control right now, Shift + your volume keys is the quick win. If you want it fixed permanently, the GNOME setting behind the scenes lets you decide what “one tap” means by changing volume-step with gsettings so every press becomes a small, predictable nudge. And for those moments where you want to be extra precise, you can gently scroll the top-bar volume icon.

Which one fits you best? The instant Shift trick, a permanent volume-step tweak or the volume icon?

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