70 switches should be enough in theory, i think 60% are around 60-65 switches, i usually get a few more than the recommended amount if i can just in case Answer from UhmPoopSok on reddit.com
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Das Keyboard
daskeyboard.com โ€บ home โ€บ what is a 65% keyboard?
What is a 65% Keyboard? - Das Keyboard Mechanical Keyboard Blog
January 12, 2024 - A 65% keyboard has roughly 65% of the keys a full-sized keyboard has, with a full-size keyboard with a US layout containing 104 keys including a number pad which many cannot live without, while a 65% will usually have 67 or 68 keys depending ...
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Goblintechkeys
goblintechkeys.com โ€บ blogs โ€บ news โ€บ how-many-keys-are-on-a-65-keyboard
How Many Keys are on a 65% Mechanical Keyboard ? โ€“ Goblintechkeys
February 16, 2023 - Some popular layouts include the HHKB layout, the Leopold FC660M layout, and the Tada68 layout. In conclusion, a 65% keyboard is a smaller form factor keyboard that has 65% of the keys of a standard full-size keyboard.
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Redragon
redragonshop.com โ€บ home โ€บ the ultimate guide to 65% keyboards: everything you need to know
The Ultimate Guide to 65% Keyboards: Everything You Need to Know โ€“ Redragonshop
They typically have around 87 keys, which is a lot more manageable than the 104 keys found on full-sized keyboards. TKL keyboards are a great option for users who want a keyboard that's more portable than a full-sized keyboard but still has ...
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Autonomous.ai
autonomous.ai โ€บ ourblog โ€บ decoding-the-mysteries-of-the-65-keyboard-layout
Decoding the Mysteries of the 65 Keyboard Layout
March 3, 2024 - Embrace the efficiency, revel in the sleek design, and let your fingers dance across the keys of the keyboard that's just right for you. Most 65% keyboards have around 67-68 keys, depending on the specific model and layout.
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Higround
higround.co โ€บ blogs โ€บ hypegeek-update โ€บ what-is-a-65-keyboard-layout-is-the-65-keyboard-layout-superior
What is a 65% Keyboard Layout? Is the 65% Keyboard Layout Superior? โ€“ Higround
Having an F-row makes it great ... to the 60% layout, but with a few extra keys, including dedicated arrow keys and an extra row of keys along the right-hand side....
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Fantech World
fantechworld.com โ€บ blogs โ€บ fantech-tips โ€บ mechanical-keyboard-sizes-why-60-65-75-tkl-95-100
Everything You Need to Know About Keyboard Sizes - 40%, 60%, 75%, TKL โ€“ Fantech World
May 4, 2023 - They are popular among gamers who need extra desk space for mouse movement and more! ... The 65% keyboard is a slightly larger option than the 60% keyboard, with around 68-75 keys.
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/mechanicalkeyboards โ€บ [guide] - 65% keyboards: what they are and where to get 'em.
r/MechanicalKeyboards on Reddit: [guide] - 65% Keyboards: What they are and where to get 'em.
April 5, 2015 -

Hey guys, u/koduh here! I am attempting to compile all the available information on 65% keyboards in one place! Though, I need your help, please suggest edits/changes where you see fit.


 

BIG UPDATE 2017-10-12: I have created a cleaner (& updated) version of this list on KeyboardCatalog.com


 

My History

My introduction to mechanical keyboards started in the Summer of 2014, my first keyboard was a Ducky Zero with Cherry MX Browns. Once I received that board I was hooked.

On my quest to find the perfect layout I stumbled upon this photo and fell in love. It was a custom made by Apollos (u/22kbd). I set out on a quest to find all the information I could on this elusive layout.

Here I am nearly a year later; I hand wired my first 65%, a Neutrino, jumped on the WhiteFox drop, worked out how to make Nantucket Selectric look good on a 65%, and pre-ordered the recently released Clueboard PCB v2.

My 65% obsession will continue, and my collection won't be complete for a while. This is the journey I have chosen.

 


  Imgur album for the pretty pictures.  


 

65% Keyboards

What are they and where do I get one?

65% Keyboards are mini layout keyboards with arrow keys. They typically have 66-68 keys in total.

Manufacturer Model Switch Brand & Type ~ # of Switches LEDs Stabilizers Non-Standard Keycaps Case Options Layouts Sources & Notes
Leopold FC660m Cherry MX 66 N R.Shift = 2.25u & Spacebar - Stems Stock, Aluminum
Leopold FC660m (2015+) Cherry MX 66 N R.Shift = 2.25u Stock, Aluminum
Leopold FC660c Topre 66 N R.Shift = 2.25u Stock
Varmilo VB660m Cherry MX 66 Y R.Shift = 2.25u Stock Like a unicorn, these are very rare as they come standard with Bluetooth integration.
Varmilo VA68m Cherry MX, Gateron 68 Y Cherry n/a Aluminum Massdrop Listing
Qisan MagicForce68 Cherry MX, Gateron, Kaihl, Outemu 68 O Cherry n/a Stock
GeekHack Groupbuy Smart 68 Cherry MX 68 Y Cherry - Plate Mount R.Shift = 1.75u Aluminum https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2durqu/the_smart_68_keyboard/ - Featuring hot swappable switches and LEDs!
Ortholinear Keyboards Neutrino Cherry MX or ALPS compatible 68 O Cherry - Plate Mount โ€ข R.Shift = 1.75u โ€ข RAlt = 1u โ€ข Fn = 1u โ€ข RCtrl = 1u Sandwich Plates Discontinued: No longer available for purchase: Top Plate Source - Bottom Plate Source
Ortholinear Keyboards Atomic Cherry MX or ALPS compatible 66-75 O Cherry - PCB Mount Grid layout causes most modifier keys to be non-standard. Sandwich Plates
Red Scarf II RSII-68 Cherry MX or ??? 66-68 O Depends on Layout Choice - Right Shift = 1.75u Frosted Acrylic, Aluminum Layout Options Geekhack Thread, Buying - Taobao: Plate, Buying - Taobao: Case/PCB/Plate
Clueboard from u/skullydazed Clueboard Cherry MX or ALPS compatible 66-72 O Costar - Plate Mount Depends on Layout Choice - Right Shift = 2.25u Sandwich Plates, Aluminum ANSI, ISO, JP, Split Spacebar Clueboard.co, /r/Clueboard, Photo Album: Birth of the Cluboard,
u/Matt3o & Input Club? WhiteFox Cherry MX, Gateron, Zealios 66-69 O Costar - Plate Mount Depends on Layout Choice - Right Shift = 1.75u Aluminum Vanilla, ISO, Aria, Winkeyless, The True Fox, Jack of All Trades Massdrop - Original Sale Listing, Firmware and future updates - Input.club
Apollos' Custom 22mini Cherry MX 67 O Cherry PCB-Mount R.Shift = 1.75u Sandwich Plates, Aluminum Layout Options http://22kbd.com/173

60% Keyboards + Arrow Keys

These keyboards fit into the traditional 60% cases and have a slightly smaller footprint at the expense of less standard layouts.

Manufacturer Model Switch Brand & Type ~ # of Switches LEDs Stabilizers Non-Standard Keycaps Case Options Layouts Sources & Notes
Filco Minila Cherry MX 67 N Costar R.Ctrl = 1.75u / Spacebar = 3u / R.Shift = 1u / R.Ctrl=1u Stock Layout Options, DIP Switch Options Filco's Site, Built-in USB Hub,
Filco Minila Air Cherry MX 67 N Costar R.Ctrl = 1.75u / Spacebar = 3u / R.Shift = 1u / R.Ctrl=1u Stock Layout Options, DIP Switch Options Wireless: Bluetooth, Filco's Site,
Tex Beetle Cherry MX 66 N ??? L.Winkey = 1u / L.Fn = 1u / R.Fn = 1u / R.Alt = 1u / R.Ctrl = 1u / R.Shift = 1u Stock Dip Switch Options Buying - MechanicalKeyboards.com
KBTalking KBT Pure Pro Cherry MX 67 Y Space = 4.5u (w/ stabs) / RAlt = 1u / RFn = 1u / RCtrl = 1u / '' = 1u / Del = 1.5u / LFn = 1u / LWin = 1u / Backspace = 1u Stock
HHKB Pro JP Topre 69 N Topre Stabs Complete bottom row, R.Shift, ISO Stock Buying - Amazon

Edits:

  • Moved KBTalking PurePro to the 60% w/ Arrow Keys section.

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Keyboardable
keyboardable.com โ€บ home โ€บ guides โ€บ complete guide to 65% keyboards and the best 65% keyboard for you
Complete Guide to 65% Keyboards and the Best 65% Keyboard for You - Keyboardable
A 65% keyboard will usually use between 67-68 switches to correspond with the number of keys. Some keyboards however allow for a split spacebar. If your board does and you want to use a split spacebar layout, youโ€™ll need 1-2 additional switches ...
Published ย  September 14, 2021
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GlacierPCGaming
glacierpcgaming.com โ€บ home โ€บ blogs โ€บ blogs/updates โ€บ what is a 65% keyboard layout?
What is a 65% Keyboard Layout? โ€“ GlacierPCGaming.com
February 25, 2025 - A 65% keyboard layout is a compact form factor that typically includes around 65-68 keys. This layout strikes a balance between the ultra-compact 60% layout and the more feature-rich TKL (Tenkeyless) or full-sized keyboards.
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Mechkeys
mechkeys.com โ€บ home โ€บ understanding the 65% mechanical keyboards
Understanding the 65% Mechanical Keyboards โ€“ mechkeysshop
Commonly used ones are, 60%, 65%, TKL(Ten Key Less), and full-sized 104 Keys keyboards. Even though there are keyboards with a 40% form factor, nothing beats a 60% or 65% layout when it comes to compact form factor.
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Akkogear
akkogear.eu โ€บ home โ€บ news โ€บ news
65% Keyboards: Everything You Need to Know
July 4, 2025 - A 65% keyboard is a compact layout that retains about 65% of the keys found on a full-sized keyboard. It removes the numeric keypad, the top row of function keys (F1โ€“F12), and some navigation keys like Home and End.
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KeebNews
keebnews.com โ€บ 65-keyboard-key-details
How Many Keys Are On A 65% Keyboard? (Layout Details)
January 20, 2023 - Although โ€œsizeโ€ and โ€œlayoutโ€ ... the physical size of the keyboard, and how many keys the keyboard has (a 60% keyboard has 61 keys, while an 80% keyboard has 88 keys)....
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KeebFinder
keeb-finder.com โ€บ home โ€บ keyboards โ€บ explore 350+ 65% mechanical keyboards & custom keyboard kits
65% Mechanical Keyboards: 350+ Custom & Pre-built Models
A 65% mechanical keyboard typically features 67-68 keys. It omits the number pad and function row (F-keys) found on full-sized keyboards but critically retains dedicated arrow keys and a column of navigation keys (like Delete, Page Up, Page ...
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Keychron
keychron.com โ€บ blogs โ€บ news โ€บ 65-vs-75-keyboard
65% vs 75% Keyboard: Which Layout is Right for You? โ€“ Keychron
November 29, 2024 - If you need function keys and a more extensive layout, the 75% model may be better. For a more compact design and easier keycap customization, a 65% keyboard is suitable. Yes, a 65% keyboard can be suitable for office use. It provides essential keys while saving desk space. Many users appreciate the minimalist design that enhances productivity without overwhelming the workspace.
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HHKB
hhkeyboard.us โ€บ home โ€บ resources โ€บ blog โ€บ 65% keyboards: 3 reasons to streamline your setup
65% Keyboards: 3 Reasons to Streamline Your Setup - HHKB
March 16, 2023 - Having only about 68 keys compared to the 108 you may find on a full-sized keyboard means itโ€™s both cheaper and faster to customize a 65% mechanical keyboard โ€” itโ€™s fewer keycaps and switches to buy, and itโ€™s fewer keycaps and switches ...
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Switch and Click
switchandclick.com โ€บ home โ€บ blog โ€บ the different keyboard sizes and layouts explained
The Different Keyboard Sizes and Layouts Explained | Switch and Click
September 23, 2023 - There a many different keyboard sizes and layouts available, but how do you tell the difference between them all? Today weโ€™ll talk about the different sizes and what makes each of them unique. The most common keyboard sizes are Full-Sized (104 key), TKL (87 key), and 60% (68 key). Each size is unique with different features. There are other layouts too, some of the less common keyboard sizes are the 75%, 65...
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RK Royal Kludge
rkgamingstore.com โ€บ blogs โ€บ community โ€บ 65-keyboards-a-comprehensive-guide-for-gamers-and-typists
65% Keyboards: A Comprehensive Guide for Gamers and Typists โ€“ RK Royal Kludge
June 9, 2023 - Some applications may not react well to using function (Fn) keys to access certain functions, which may lead to usability issues for users relying heavily on key commands. When selecting a 65% keyboard, several factors should be considered. To ensure you make an informed decision, take the following aspects into account: ... Confirm that the keyboard layout suits your needs and doesn't omit any keys you frequently use.
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epomaker
epomaker.com โ€บ collections โ€บ 65-keyboards
65% Keyboards โ€“ epomaker
Ergonomic Alice Keyboard Introducing the Epomaker Tide Alice, featuring a 65% Alice layout with 66... ... Ergo Alice Layout with 66 Keys Step into a new era of comfort with the...