The keyboard below highlights the next key and colors each key by the finger that should press it.
Why the QWERTY layout looks like this
QWERTY was designed for typewriters in the 1870s. Common letter pairs were spread apart so the mechanical arms jammed less often. It isn't the most efficient layout, but it's universal - every keyboard you meet will use it.
Practice order
Work through the drills in order, and move on only when you can hit 95% accuracy:
- Home row: A S D F G H J K L ;
- Top row: Q W E R T Y U I O P
- Bottom row: Z X C V B N M
- Real words with all three rows
Ready for more?
Frequently asked questions
Should I learn QWERTY or Dvorak?
QWERTY, unless you have a specific reason to switch. It's on every computer you'll use, and skilled QWERTY typists are just as fast.
Which keys are hardest on QWERTY?
Usually the pinky keys (Q, A, Z, P and punctuation) and the far index-finger reaches (T, Y, B, N).
How do I stop looking at the keys?
Use the on-screen keyboard instead, and feel for the bumps on F and J to reset your hands.