diff --git a/src/backend/user_files.py b/src/backend/user_files.py
index fe3a6332..c0cc7a57 100644
--- a/src/backend/user_files.py
+++ b/src/backend/user_files.py
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ class UISettings(JSONDataFile):
         return {
             "alertOnMessageForMsec": 4000,
             "alwaysCenterRoomHeader": False,
-            "compactModeByDefault": False,
+            "compactMode": True,
             "clearRoomFilterOnEnter": True,
             "clearRoomFilterOnEscape": True,
             "collapseSidePanesUnderWindowWidth": 400,
@@ -229,9 +229,10 @@ class UISettings(JSONDataFile):
                 "toggleDebugConsole":  ["Alt+Shift+C", "F1"],
                 "reloadConfig":        ["Alt+Shift+R"],
 
-                "zoomIn":    ["Ctrl++"],
-                "zoomOut":   ["Ctrl+-"],
-                "zoomReset": ["Ctrl+="],
+                "zoomIn":            ["Ctrl++"],
+                "zoomOut":           ["Ctrl+-"],
+                "zoomReset":         ["Ctrl+="],
+                "toggleCompactMode": ["Ctrl+Alt+C"],
 
                 "scrollUp":       ["Alt+Up", "Alt+K"],
                 "scrollDown":     ["Alt+Down", "Alt+J"],
diff --git a/src/gui/Base/HTile.qml b/src/gui/Base/HTile.qml
index 1cc67b37..df2ad60f 100644
--- a/src/gui/Base/HTile.qml
+++ b/src/gui/Base/HTile.qml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ HButton {
 
     default property alias additionalData: contentItem.data
 
-    property bool compact: window.settings.compactModeByDefault
+    property bool compact: window.settings.compactMode
     property real contentOpacity: 1
 
     readonly property alias title: title
diff --git a/src/gui/GlobalShortcuts.qml b/src/gui/GlobalShortcuts.qml
index aed1f551..98c86426 100644
--- a/src/gui/GlobalShortcuts.qml
+++ b/src/gui/GlobalShortcuts.qml
@@ -78,6 +78,14 @@ Item {
         onActivated: theme.uiScale = 1
     }
 
+    HShortcut {
+        sequences: settings.keys.toggleCompactMode
+        onActivated: {
+            settings.compactMode = ! settings.compactMode
+            settingsChanged()
+        }
+    }
+
     // Pages
 
     HShortcut {
diff --git a/src/gui/Pages/Chat/Timeline/EventDelegate.qml b/src/gui/Pages/Chat/Timeline/EventDelegate.qml
index 9176ab6e..c0683fed 100644
--- a/src/gui/Pages/Chat/Timeline/EventDelegate.qml
+++ b/src/gui/Pages/Chat/Timeline/EventDelegate.qml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ HColumnLayout {
     readonly property var nextModel: eventList.model.get(model.index - 1)
     readonly property QtObject currentModel: model
 
-    property bool compact: window.settings.compactModeByDefault
+    property bool compact: window.settings.compactMode
     property bool isOwn: chat.userId === model.sender_id
     property bool onRight: eventList.ownEventsOnRight && isOwn
     property bool combine: eventList.canCombine(previousModel, model)