Understanding Keyboard Sizes
Explore different keyboard layouts from full-size to 40%, and find the perfect size for your needs.
Choosing your first mechanical keyboard can feel overwhelming, especially when you encounter terms like “TKL,” “65%,” or “40%.” This guide breaks down the most common keyboard sizes to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.
What Do the Percentages Mean?
Keyboard sizes are measured as percentages relative to a full-size (100%) keyboard. As the percentage decreases, keys are removed—typically starting with the numpad, then function row, navigation cluster, and arrow keys. Each size offers different trade-offs between functionality and desk space.
Full-Size (100%) - The Complete Package
Key Count: 104-108 keys
What’s Included: Everything. You get the main typing area (alphanumeric keys), function row (F1-F12), navigation cluster (Home, End, Page Up/Down, Insert, Delete), arrow keys, and a full numpad on the right side.
Physical Description: These keyboards span approximately 18 inches (45cm) wide. The layout is divided into distinct sections: the main typing area on the left, a gap, then the navigation cluster, another gap, and finally the numpad on the far right.
Best For:
- Accountants, data entry professionals, and anyone who frequently works with numbers
- Users who want dedicated keys for every function without learning new shortcuts
- Office environments where spreadsheet work is common
- People with plenty of desk space who prioritize functionality over portability
Trade-offs: Full-size keyboards push your mouse far to the right, which can cause shoulder strain during extended gaming or design work sessions. They’re also the least portable option.
Tenkeyless / TKL (80%) - The Balanced Choice
Key Count: 87-88 keys
What’s Removed: The numpad disappears, but everything else remains intact.
What’s Included: Main typing area, complete function row, navigation cluster, and arrow keys.
Physical Description: Approximately 14 inches (36cm) wide. Imagine a full-size keyboard with the numpad section cleanly removed. The navigation cluster sits directly to the right of the main typing area, creating a more compact footprint.
Best For:
- Gamers who want more mouse space without sacrificing essential keys
- Office workers who rarely use the numpad
- Users seeking a balance between functionality and portability
- Anyone experiencing shoulder strain from reaching too far for their mouse
Trade-offs: You’ll need to use the number row for numerical input, which can slow down tasks like spreadsheet work or accounting.
75% - Compact Efficiency
Key Count: 84-87 keys
What’s Removed: The numpad is gone, and the navigation cluster is compressed. Some spacing between key groups is eliminated.
What’s Included: Main typing area, function row (sometimes), arrow keys, and essential navigation keys (usually accessed via function layer or squeezed alongside the main keys).
Physical Description: About 12.5 inches (32cm) wide. The keys are tightly packed with minimal gaps between sections. The function row sits directly above the number row, and navigation keys are often condensed into a single column on the right edge or accessed through function combinations.
Best For:
- Users who want a compact keyboard but can’t sacrifice arrow keys
- Professionals who need function keys for shortcuts in software like Photoshop or video editors
- Anyone with limited desk space who still wants dedicated function and arrow keys
- People transitioning from larger keyboards who aren’t ready for heavy function layer usage
Trade-offs: The cramped layout takes adjustment. Keys that are usually separated (like Escape and the function row) sit directly adjacent, which can lead to accidental presses initially.
65% - The Sweet Spot
Key Count: 68 keys
What’s Removed: The numpad, navigation cluster, and function row are all gone. Delete, Page Up/Down, Home, and End are typically accessible via function combinations.
What’s Included: Complete main typing area (all letters, numbers, symbols, modifiers) and dedicated arrow keys. A few extra keys on the right edge often provide Delete and sometimes Page Up/Down.
Physical Description: Approximately 12 inches (30cm) wide. This layout looks like a 60% keyboard (explained below) with an extra column of keys on the right for arrows and a few navigation keys. The compact size leaves generous mouse space while maintaining the most frequently used keys.
Best For:
- Gamers who want maximum mouse space but can’t sacrifice arrow keys
- Programmers who rely on arrow navigation for code editing
- Minimalists who want to reduce desk clutter without losing essential functionality
- Users willing to learn a few function layer shortcuts for navigation keys
Trade-offs: No dedicated function row means software shortcuts (F1-F12) require holding a function key. Page navigation requires key combinations instead of dedicated keys.
60% - Minimalist Territory
Key Count: 61-68 keys
What’s Removed: Numpad, navigation cluster, function row, and dedicated arrow keys all disappear.
What’s Included: Just the main typing area—letters, numbers, symbols, and modifiers (Shift, Ctrl, Alt, etc.). Everything else is accessed through function layers.
Physical Description: About 11.5 inches (29cm) wide. This is essentially just the main typing block you use 90% of the time. The keyboard ends immediately after the Enter/Backspace keys on the right and the Ctrl/Alt keys on the bottom. It’s remarkably compact and symmetrical.
Best For:
- Enthusiasts who enjoy customization and programming their own key layouts
- Gamers who want maximum mouse freedom
- Users with very limited desk space or who frequently transport their keyboard
- People who primarily type and rarely use navigation or function keys
- Those willing to invest time learning function layers for maximum efficiency
Trade-offs: Steep learning curve. Arrow navigation, function keys, and even common keys like tilde (~) or Delete require holding a function key. Not ideal for productivity work that relies on quick access to navigation or function keys.
40% - The Ultra-Minimalist Challenge
Key Count: 40-49 keys
What’s Removed: Almost everything. Even the number row is eliminated.
What’s Included: Primarily just letter keys and essential modifiers. Numbers, symbols, and everything else require function layers—sometimes multiple layers deep.
Physical Description: Roughly 9-10 inches (23-25cm) wide. Picture only the three main rows of letter keys (QWERTY row, home row, bottom row) plus a space bar and a few modifiers. Some 40% boards are split or ortholinear (grid layout instead of staggered).
Best For:
- Hardcore keyboard enthusiasts who treat typing like an art form
- Users with extremely limited space (ultra-portable setups)
- People who want the ultimate ergonomic challenge and customization project
- Collectors and hobbyists exploring the limits of keyboard minimalism
Trade-offs: This is not beginner-friendly. The learning curve is extreme—you’ll need to memorize multiple function layers just to type numbers or common punctuation. Only consider this size if you’re committed to relearning how to type and program complex layouts.
Comparison Table
| Size | Key Count | Numpad | Function Row | Nav Cluster | Arrow Keys | Width | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Size (100%) | 104-108 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~18” | Data entry, accounting, maximum functionality |
| TKL (80%) | 87-88 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~14” | Gaming, general use, balanced portability |
| 75% | 84-87 | No | Yes* | Partial | Yes | ~12.5” | Compact desks, function key users, efficiency |
| 65% | 68 | No | No | No | Yes | ~12” | Gaming, programming, minimalism with arrows |
| 60% | 61-68 | No | No | No | No | ~11.5” | Enthusiasts, portability, maximum mouse space |
| 40% | 40-49 | No | No | No | No | ~9-10” | Extreme minimalism, collectors, challenge seekers |
*Some 75% boards compress or eliminate the function row
How to Choose Your Keyboard Size
Start with these questions:
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Do you work with numbers frequently? If yes, consider full-size or keep a separate numpad. Otherwise, smaller sizes will serve you well.
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Do you use function keys (F1-F12) regularly? Software like Photoshop, video editors, and IDEs rely heavily on these. TKL or 75% might be your best bet. If you rarely use them, 65% or 60% works fine with function layers.
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Can you live without dedicated arrow keys? If no, don’t go smaller than 65%. If yes, 60% opens up for you.
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How much desk space do you have? Measure your desk area. Full-size keyboards need about 18 inches of width, while 60% boards need only 11.5 inches.
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How portable does your keyboard need to be? Traveling with your keyboard? Smaller sizes (60-75%) fit in bags more easily.
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Are you willing to learn function layers? Smaller keyboards require memorizing key combinations to access removed keys. If you want plug-and-play simplicity, stick with 75% or larger.
Beginner Recommendations
If you’re brand new to mechanical keyboards:
- Safest choice: TKL (80%) - You lose only the numpad, which most people don’t miss. Everything else works exactly as expected.
- Slightly adventurous: 75% - Still has dedicated function and arrow keys, just more compact. Minimal learning curve.
- For gamers specifically: 65% - Provides arrow keys for game menus while maximizing mouse space. Function layer learning is manageable.
Avoid as a first keyboard:
- 60% or smaller unless you’re specifically excited about the customization challenge and willing to spend time programming layouts and memorizing layers.
Final Thoughts
There’s no “wrong” keyboard size—only what works for your workflow and space. Many enthusiasts own multiple keyboards in different sizes for different purposes: a 65% for gaming, a TKL for office work, a 40% for travel.
Start with a size that won’t frustrate you. You can always explore smaller layouts later once you understand your typing habits and which keys you actually use daily. The mechanical keyboard community celebrates experimentation, so don’t stress about making the “perfect” choice on your first try.
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