Keyboard
A keyboard is one of the primary input devices used with a computer. Like an electric typewriter, a keyboard is composed of buttons to create letters, numbers, and symbols, and perform additional functions. The following sections provide more in-depth information and answers to frequently asked questions about the keyboard.
Keyboard overview
The following image shows a 104-key Saitek keyboard with each grouping (section), including the control keys, function keys, LED indicators, wrist pad, arrow keys, and keypad.
What are the keyboard rows?
The horizontal rows of character keys in the typing area have specific names. For example, when placing your hands on the keyboard, they should be positioned over the home row keys. The keys below the home row are called the bottom row keys, and above the home row keys are the top row keys.
QWERTY keyboard layout
Below is a close-up image of a QWERTY computer keyboard with each of the keys selectable. You may hover your mouse cursor over any keys to see a description. Clicking any of the keys opens a new page with full details.
See our QWERTY definition for why the keyboard keys are positioned the way they are.
Keyboard ports and interfaces
Today, most computer keyboards connect to the computer using USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Bluetooth for wireless communication. Before USB, a computer used PS/2, serial port, or AT (Advanced Technology) (Din5) as a keyboard interface.
Types of keyboards
Where keyboards begin to differ the most is in their architecture, construction, and layout. Below is an alphabetical list of computer keyboards used with computer's today and in the past. The most common type of keyboard is the USB keyboard.
Today's keyboards may be classified as more than one of the following. For example, you may be using a 'physical mechanical Windows keyboard.'
- AT keyboard
- Backlit keyboard
- Butterfly keyboard
- Chiclet keyboard
- Chorded keyboard
- Enhanced keyboard
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Flat-panel membrane keyboard
- Flexible keyboard
- Foldable keyboard
- Mechanical keyboard
- Membrane keyboard
- Multimedia keyboards
- Natural keyboard
- On-screen keyboard
- Physical keyboard
- Rollup keyboard
- Scissor switch keyboard
- Split keyboard
- Thumb keyboard
- Virtual keyboard
- Windows keyboard
- XT keyboard
Keyboard layouts
Today, most computer users are familiar with the QWERTY layout, but there are also the other following layouts in alphabetical order.
What else can a keyboard do?
A computer keyboard has many more functions than typing. Below are additional tasks you can perform using a keyboard.
- Enter commands in a command line or another CLI (Command-Line Interface).
- Use keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks quickly. For example, using Ctrl+C to copy text and Ctrl+V to paste it elsewhere.
- Use the function keys to perform tasks. For example, pressing F5 in a browser to refresh a web page.
- Control computer hardware. For example, many keyboards can change your speakers' volume.
- Use the arrow keys to move the text cursor on the screen.
- Use the WASD keys or arrow keys to move a character in a game.
- Use the numeric keypad to make calculations in a calculator.
Apple keyboards
The following section contains information on Apple keyboards and how they differ from their PC equivalents.
What does an Apple keyboard look like?
The following image shows the standard layout for an Apple keyboard with a numeric keypad.
How are Apple keyboards different than Windows keyboards?
The keyboards used with Apple desktop computers have a nearly identical layout to those used with Windows computers. However, they have a few different keys on both sides of the keyboard's characters section near the bottom: Command and Option.
Laptop keyboards
A laptop keyboard is arranged differently than a desktop keyboard to accommodate the laptop's narrower footprint. Most laptop keyboards are made smaller by placing the keys closer and including an Fn key. The Fn key is used to give other keys more than one function. For example, pressing the Fn key and the up or down arrow on the keyboard may increase or decrease screen brightness (shown below). Also, many laptop keyboards generally omit the numeric keypad to save space.
Smartphone and tablet keyboards
Today's smartphones and tablets do not have a physical keyboard, although one may be purchased as an optional peripheral add-on. These devices utilize a thumb keyboard or on-screen keyboard to type messages and enter text into various fields. The image is an example of the Apple iPhone on-screen keyboard, used on all Apple touch-based devices.
Why is the keyboard an input device?
A computer keyboard is considered an input device because it only sends data to a computer and does not receive any information from it. As you type on the keyboard, you input information into the computer.
Does a computer need a keyboard?
Many users are surprised to learn that a keyboard is considered a peripheral and that a computer can function without one. If you have a USB keyboard, you can disconnect it now, and you see that the computer continues to work without it. Many servers, like the Computer Hope web server, run their entire life without a keyboard and are administered by a remotely-connected user.
What are multimedia keys?
Multimedia keys are those keys that allow the user to control music on their computer keyboard. These keys add functionality, such as play, pause, stop, rewind, fast forward, skip track, eject, shuffle, and repeat for music. For further information on these keys, see our special key page.
What keys appear twice on a keyboard?
On a typical U.S. PC keyboard, three keys appear twice. They are the Alt keys, Ctrl keys, and Shift keys. Almost all the keys on the numeric keypad are duplicated. These keys include the divide (/), times (*), subtract (-), plus (+), period (.), numbers 0 through 9, and the Enter key. The only key on the numeric keypad that does not appear twice is the Num lock key.
The three keys that appear twice on Apple keyboards are the Command keys, Control keys, and Shift keys. For Apple keyboards with a numeric keypad, there are seventeen duplicate keys. These keys include the equal (=), divide (/), times (*), subtract (-), plus (+), period (.), numbers 0 through 9, and the Enter key.
What is a physical keyboard?
A physical keyboard is any computer keyboard that exists in the real world (hardware). In contrast, a virtual keyboard is a keyboard that exists in software. For example, a desktop computer and laptop both have a physical keyboard. However, a smartphone and tablet use a virtual keyboard but can have a physical keyboard connected to them.
A desktop computer and laptop can use a virtual keyboard by opening an on-screen keyboard.
Where can I buy a computer keyboard?
Below is an affiliate link with Amazon to get a computer keyboard and support Computer Hope. If Amazon isn't available in your area, we also have a link to other places to buy computer parts.
- Computer keyboard buying tips.
- Amazon affiliate link for a computer keyboard.
- Where to buy computer hardware parts.
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