To easily swap between different registers it is convenient to map a key to move the registers in a "circular list". The following mapping illustrates the idea: :nnoremap s :let @x=@" \| let @"=@a \| let @a=@b \| let @b=@x Now you can cycle between the registers "", "a, "b by pressing \s (assuming the default backslash for the leader key). * :let @a=@b copies register "b to register "a. * | separates Ex commands; \ escapes the pipe for the map command. This is also useful if you want to copy between the xclipboard and the unnamed standard register of Vim: