diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9e0ac30..9560e30 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ In the set‑list panel's **⋯** menu:
 
 | Key | Action |
 |-----|--------|
-| `P` | play / stop |
+| `Space` | play / stop (except while typing in a text field) |
 | `T` | tap tempo |
 | `↑` / `↓` | tempo ±1 (`Shift` = ±10) |
 | `A` | add meter lane |
diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 31a5d02..05b7d62 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@
   <div class="row" style="align-items:baseline; justify-content:space-between; gap:14px; margin-bottom:12px">
     <h1 style="margin:0">Stackable Metronome <span class="lane-meta" id="appVersion" title="build version">v0.0.1-dev</span></h1>
     <div style="display:flex; align-items:center; gap:10px">
-      <span class="kbd-legend">P play · T tap · ↑↓ tempo (⇧×10) · A add · N next · ? help</span>
+      <span class="kbd-legend">Space play · T tap · ↑↓ tempo (⇧×10) · A add · N next · ? help</span>
       <button id="themeBtn" title="toggle light / dark theme">☀</button>
       <button id="helpBtn" title="keyboard shortcuts (?)">?</button>
     </div>
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@
   <div class="overlay-box">
     <div class="tray-head"><h2 style="margin:0">Keyboard shortcuts</h2><button class="x" id="shortcutsClose" style="margin-left:0">✕</button></div>
     <table class="kbd-table">
-      <tr><td><kbd>P</kbd></td><td>Play / stop</td></tr>
+      <tr><td><kbd>Space</kbd></td><td>Play / stop (works everywhere except while typing in a text field)</td></tr>
       <tr><td><kbd>T</kbd></td><td>Tap tempo</td></tr>
       <tr><td><kbd>↑</kbd> <kbd>↓</kbd></td><td>Tempo ±1 BPM</td></tr>
       <tr><td><kbd>⇧↑</kbd> <kbd>⇧↓</kbd></td><td>Tempo ±10 BPM</td></tr>
@@ -1191,23 +1191,26 @@ $("shareQrExt").addEventListener("click", () => {
   window.open("https://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr-code/?size=320x320&data=" + encodeURIComponent($("shareUrl").value), "_blank", "noopener");
 });
 window.addEventListener("keydown", (e) => {
-  const t = e.target;
-  if (t && (t.tagName === "INPUT" || t.tagName === "SELECT" || t.tagName === "TEXTAREA" || t.isContentEditable)) return;
+  const t = e.target, tag = t ? t.tagName : "", type = (t && t.type ? String(t.type) : "").toLowerCase();
+  // Text entry is sacred — never hijack typing in a text field.
+  if (t && (t.isContentEditable || tag === "TEXTAREA" ||
+            (tag === "INPUT" && /^(text|number|search|email|url|tel|password)$/.test(type)))) return;
   const k = e.key;
   if (e.altKey && (k === "ArrowUp" || k === "ArrowDown")) { e.preventDefault(); moveActiveItem(k === "ArrowUp" ? -1 : 1); return; }  // reorder selected item
   if (e.metaKey || e.ctrlKey || e.altKey) return;
-  if (k === "p" || k === "P") { e.preventDefault(); toggleTransport(); }
-  else if (k === "t" || k === "T") { tapTempo(); }
-  else if (k === "ArrowUp") { e.preventDefault(); setBpm(state.bpm + (e.shiftKey ? 10 : 1)); }
-  else if (k === "ArrowDown") { e.preventDefault(); setBpm(state.bpm - (e.shiftKey ? 10 : 1)); }
-  else if (k === "a" || k === "A") { addMeter("4", 1, "claves"); }
-  else if (k === "n" || k === "N") { nextItem(); }
-  else if (k === "?") { toggleShortcuts(true); }
-  else if (k === "Escape") { if (!$("shareOverlay").hidden) $("shareOverlay").hidden = true; else if (!$("shortcutsOverlay").hidden) toggleShortcuts(false); }
-  else if (k >= "1" && k <= "9") {
-    const m = meters[+k - 1];
-    if (m) setLaneEnabled(m, !m.enabled);
-  }
+  // Transport: Space always = play/stop. preventDefault so it never scrolls the
+  // page, toggles a focused checkbox, or re-fires a focused button.
+  if (k === " " || e.code === "Space") { e.preventDefault(); toggleTransport(); return; }
+  // Leave arrow keys to a focused slider / menu so they still adjust it.
+  const arrowCtrl = tag === "SELECT" || (tag === "INPUT" && type === "range");
+  if (k === "ArrowUp") { if (arrowCtrl) return; e.preventDefault(); setBpm(state.bpm + (e.shiftKey ? 10 : 1)); return; }
+  if (k === "ArrowDown") { if (arrowCtrl) return; e.preventDefault(); setBpm(state.bpm - (e.shiftKey ? 10 : 1)); return; }
+  if (k === "t" || k === "T") { tapTempo(); return; }
+  if (k === "a" || k === "A") { addMeter("4", 1, "claves"); return; }
+  if (k === "n" || k === "N") { nextItem(); return; }
+  if (k === "?") { toggleShortcuts(true); return; }
+  if (k === "Escape") { if (!$("shareOverlay").hidden) $("shareOverlay").hidden = true; else if (!$("shortcutsOverlay").hidden) toggleShortcuts(false); return; }
+  if (k >= "1" && k <= "9") { const m = meters[+k - 1]; if (m) setLaneEnabled(m, !m.enabled); }
 });
 
 /* init */