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How Many Keys Does a 60% or 65% Keyboard Have?
A standard, full-size keyboard has 104 keys. Technically speaking, that means a 60% keyboard should have 62 keys, and a 65% keyboard should have 67 or 68 keys. Realistically, manufacturers play it a little fast and loose with the numbers and the key-count totals. Most so-called 60% models we've tested run 60 to 65 keys, while 65% ones have around 66 to 70 keys.
Unlike the tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard layout that simply removes the numeric keypad, the 60% or 65% keyboard layout also ditches what some users might deem essential inputs. The typical 60% keyboard drops the Function (F1 to F12) keys, arrow keys, and other navigation/utility keys. (Think Home, Delete, Print Screen, Page Up, and Page Down.) The layout is compressed into a single block without any sections or gaps. For example, the Escape key no longer floats alone, because that would require extra room in the layout.
Meanwhile, 65% keyboards give you a little more wiggle room while staying compact. These boards drop the Function keys and most other nonessentials, but they almost always keep the arrow keys. Many also hold onto one or two other keys. Fnatic and a few other keyboard manufacturers add extra, customizable macro keys that give you the option to remap the keyboard.
Ready to Buy the Right 60% or 65% Keyboard for You?
Now that you know what to look for in a 60% or 65% keyboard, it’s up to you to make your pick. Here's our list of the best compact keyboards culled from our recent reviews. In addition, if you’re all in on competitive play, consider pairing your new compact keyboard with one our favorite esports mice.
Should I Get a Wireless 60% or 65% Keyboard?
Many 60% and 65% keyboards feature a detachable cable—preferably USB-C—that makes for easier travel and storage. Companies still occasionally add proprietary locking mechanisms to the cables, ensuring that the cable never detaches during play. I prefer it when companies forgo that measure. The cables stay in fine on their own except in drastic circumstances, and, without the locking mechanism, you can replace a broken cable with any other USB Type-C-to-A cord.
What about wireless compact keyboards? After all, if you're aiming to free up desk space, you may as well cut the cord, too. Wireless 60% and 65% keyboards, though, are few and far between. The groups who have been most interested in 60% and 65% keyboards until very recently—competitive gamers, programmers, custom keyboard enthusiasts—traditionally haven't chased wireless keyboards. If going wireless is your top priority right now, you should check out full-size and tenkeyless ("TKL") keyboards. You'll find a much larger selection.
Hi guys,
Instead of studying for an exam, I decided to draw up the perfect 60% layout for me and was curious, how many people out here use the right hand shift/ctrl/alt/super/menu keys? Personally, I never use them and would happily replace them with discrete arrow keys.
Check out the layout
This is not about which layout is objectively better, I just want a better understanding, not trying to get people pissed off
When looking at 60% keyboards, one thing has always intrigued me, why do most manufacturers generally go for a 61 key layout, when 63 or 64 key layouts seem more useful?
The way I think about it is what programs specifically use right ctrl key? The only one I can really think of is Virtualbox for its host key, and most people I know don’t use right ctrl for standard shortcuts, while the arrow keys are used for a ton of stuff like moving the cursor, moving the player in a lot of 2D games, cycling through previously used commands in a terminal, and many more.
Or in the case of the menu key, that either needs arrow keys to navigate, or the mouse at which point the right clicking is more convenient
So I guess what my question is, is why is 61 key standard for 60% where what it offers are more oddly specific keys, putting more common keys behind modifiers, when a 63/64 key layout just has those keys there already, and if for some reason a program absolutely needs a right ctrl key, then that can be behind a modifier as it’s not as commonly used.
And yes, I know that you can just reprogram it on lots of keyboards, but then it would intrude on the slash key, which is also very commonly used
Is there something you're missing from time to time? Like arrow keys? Or dedicated delete key? F row? If so, in what situations? Or is everything golden?
I'm looking for a keyboard more compact than my current TKL, and a 65% layout looks best to me, but there are simply so many more 60% keyboards available so I'm starting to consider one, but I'm not yet convinced...