The Most Popular Keyboard Layout, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the keyboard layout you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:42
In the world of typing and digital communication, the efficiency and comfort of your keyboard can markedly impact your daily productivity and ease of use. Different keyboard layouts cater to the needs of various users, enhancing typing speed and accuracy based on language and habits. Knowing which layouts are preferred by most can help new users and institutions make informed choices, optimizing their typing experiences.
As trends and technologies evolve, so do preferences for these essential tools. By casting your vote, you contribute to a dynamic aggregation of public opinion, helping to highlight the most user-friendly and widely appreciated keyboard layouts. This not only informs others but also aids manufacturers and software developers in understanding current user preferences.
What Is the Most Popular Keyboard Layout?
-
170votesThe QWERTY keyboard layout is the most popular layout used worldwide. It was designed in the 1870s for typewriters and has since been used for computer keyboards. The layout is named after the first six letters on the top row of the keyboard. It is used extensively in English-speaking countries.QWERTY is the most popular keyboard layout used in English-speaking countries. It is named after the first six letters on the top-left row of keys, from left to right. The layout is designed for typewriters and is now commonly used on computer keyboards.
- Efficiency: Designed to reduce typewriter jamming by placing commonly used letters apart from each other.
- Ergonomics: Arranges frequently used keys at accessible positions for better typing comfort.
- Alphabetic Order: Places letters in a similar order to the alphabetical sequence, providing familiarity.
- Compatibility: Almost universally supported by computer operating systems and software.
- Adaptability: Suitable for both one-handed or two-handed typing styles.
-
218votesThe AZERTY keyboard layout is used primarily in France, Belgium, and some parts of Canada. It is similar to the QWERTY layout but has a few differences, especially in the placement of the letters A and Z.AZERTY is a popular keyboard layout primarily used in France and Belgium. It is known for its unique arrangement of keys that differ from the more common QWERTY layout.
- Layout Type: Alphanumeric
- Key Arrangement: Non-QWERTY
- Language Support: French, Belgian, and other languages that use the Latin script with diacritics
- Keyboard Size: Full-Size
- First Introduced: 1890s
-
322votesThe QWERTZ keyboard layout is used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is similar to the QWERTY layout but has a few differences, especially in the placement of the letters Y and Z.QWERTZ is a popular keyboard layout used primarily in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is very similar to the QWERTY layout but with some key differences.
- Layout: QWERTZ
- Language Support: German, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Polish
- Key Distribution: Based on the Latin alphabet with additional characters specific to the supported languages.
- Alphabetical Order: Similar to QWERTY, with the addition of characters like ä, ö, ü, ß.
- Numeric Keypad: Usually present on the right side of the main keyboard.
-
431votesThe Dvorak keyboard layout is an alternative to the QWERTY layout. It was designed to be more efficient and ergonomic, with the most commonly used letters on the home row. It is used by some people who type a lot, such as writers, programmers, and data entry professionals.The Dvorak keyboard layout is an alternative keyboard layout designed to increase typing efficiency and reduce finger movement by placing the most commonly used keys in the home row. It was developed by Dr. August Dvorak and his brother-in-law, Dr. William Dealey, in the 1930s.
- Efficiency: Dvorak is designed to increase typing efficiency by placing frequently used keys in the home row.
- Reduced Finger Movement: The layout aims to minimize finger movement for increased typing speed and reduced fatigue.
- Ergonomics: Dvorak layout takes into account hand anatomy and aims for a more natural hand position during typing.
- Letter Placement: Consonants are placed on the left side while vowels are placed on the right side of the keyboard layout.
- Finger Load Balance: The Dvorak layout evenly distributes the typing load among all fingers to prevent strain.
-
516votesThe Colemak keyboard layout is another alternative to the QWERTY layout. It was designed to be more efficient and ergonomic, with the most commonly used letters on the home row. It is used by some people who type a lot, such as writers, programmers, and data entry professionals.Colemak is a popular keyboard layout designed as an improvement over the QWERTY layout. It aims to increase typing efficiency while minimizing finger movement and improving comfort.
- Efficiency: Colemak places the most commonly used English letters on the home row, minimizing finger movement and maximizing typing speed.
- Ease of Transition: Colemak is designed to be an easy transition for QWERTY users, with many common key placements remaining the same.
- Ergonomics: The Colemak layout promotes a more natural hand position, reducing strain and fatigue on the fingers and wrists.
- Key Placement: Colemak places frequently used keys such as vowels and common consonants in optimized positions for improved typing rhythm.
- Backwards Compatibility: Colemak is compatible with existing QWERTY keycaps and keyboards, requiring no physical modifications.
-
611votesThe Arabic keyboard layout is used in Arabic-speaking countries. It is based on the Arabic script and has a different layout than the QWERTY layout.Arabic is a Semitic language that originated in the Arabian Peninsula and is now spoken by hundreds of millions of people across the Middle East and North Africa. It is recognized as one of the oldest living languages in the world, with a rich history dating back centuries. Arabic is known for its unique script, complex grammar, and vast vocabulary.
- Script: Arabic uses a right-to-left script
- Grammar: Arabic has a complex and highly structured grammar with both masculine and feminine genders, singular and plural forms, and a variety of verb conjugations.
- Vocabulary: Arabic has a vast vocabulary, with a large number of words derived from its root-based system.
- Literary Significance: Arabic has been a language of significant literary and cultural contributions throughout history, with famous works in fields like poetry, philosophy, and science.
- Regional Variations: Arabic has numerous regional dialects and variations across different countries and regions.
-
73votesThe Cyrillic keyboard layout is used in countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet, such as Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. It has a different layout than the QWERTY layout.Cyrillic is a keyboard layout that is primarily used for writing the Cyrillic script, which is the writing system used for various Slavic, Balkan, and Central Asian languages. It is based on the Latin alphabet with additional characters and diacritics to represent the specific Cyrillic letters and sounds.
- Language Support: Supports various Slavic, Balkan, and Central Asian languages
- Key Placement: Arranges Cyrillic letters in a visually similar manner to their corresponding Latin letters
- Character Set: Includes all 33 Cyrillic letters, as well as Latin letters, numbers, and punctuation
- Shift Functionality: Allows for the input of uppercase Cyrillic letters and additional symbols
- Physical Keyboard Layout: Based on the QWERTY layout, with Cyrillic letters replacing certain Latin letters
-
81votesThe Chinese keyboard layout is used in China and other Chinese-speaking countries. It has a different layout than the QWERTY layout and is based on the Chinese writing system.
-
98votesThe Japanese keyboard layout is used in Japan. It has a different layout than the QWERTY layout and is based on the Japanese writing system.Japanese is a modern East Asian language that originated in Japan. It is one of the most advanced languages in terms of its writing system, grammar, and cultural significance.
- Writing System: Japanese uses a combination of three scripts: Kanji (adopted Chinese characters), Hiragana (a phonetic script for native Japanese words), and Katakana (used for loanwords and emphasis).
- Complexity: Japanese has a complex honorific system, myriad levels of politeness, and different verb forms based on social status.
- Grammar: Japanese grammar is characterized by its subject-object-verb word order, the use of particles for case marking, and a lack of grammatical gender.
- Phonetics: The Japanese language has a relatively small phonetic inventory compared to many other languages, consisting of just around 100 distinct syllables.
- Cultural Significance: Japanese is deeply intertwined with the country's culture, history, and social norms, making it a vital tool for understanding Japanese society.
-
105votesThe Korean keyboard layout is used in Korea. It has a different layout than the QWERTY layout and is based on the Korean writing system.Korean is an agglutinative language predominantly spoken in both North and South Korea. It is known for its distinct phonetic system, grammatical structure, and aesthetic writing style.
- Phonetics: Korean has a unique phonetic system with 14 basic consonants and 10 vowels, which can be combined to form syllabic blocks.
- Grammatical Structure: Korean follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) word order and is known for its agglutinative nature, where particles and suffixes are attached to the root word to indicate different grammatical features.
- Writing System: Korean uses the Hangul writing system, which was created during the 15th century by King Sejong the Great and a group of scholars. Hangul is considered one of the most logical and scientific writing systems in the world.
- Honorifics: Korean has a complex system of honorifics to display respect and maintain social hierarchy. Different verb endings, speech levels, and vocabulary are used depending on the speaker's relationship to the listener.
- Vocabulary: Korean vocabulary has influences from Chinese, Japanese, and English, along with its own native words. It also includes a wide range of idiomatic expressions and onomatopoeic words.
Missing your favorite keyboard layout?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular keyboard layout
-
ErgonomicsThe keyboard layout should be designed to minimize physical strain on the user's fingers, hands, and wrists, reducing the likelihood of discomfort and injury.
-
EfficiencyA good keyboard layout should allow a user to type faster with fewer mistakes. This can be achieved by placing frequently-used letters, numbers, and symbols closer to the home row and considering the balance between the right and left hand.
-
Learning CurveA popular keyboard layout should be relatively easy to learn for new users, with a reasonable amount of time and practice needed to reach a proficient typing speed.
-
CompatibilityThe keyboard layout should be widely supported by various devices and operating systems to allow for a seamless experience across different platforms.
-
Global UseA popular keyboard layout should cater to the varying language needs of users worldwide. This would include special characters, diacritical marks, and different alphabets, such as Cyrillic or Greek.
-
CustomizabilityA good keyboard layout should be customizable, allowing users to modify and adapt it according to their personal preferences and needs, further improving ergonomics and efficiency.
-
AccessibilityThe keyboard layout should be accessible to users with varying physical abilities, including those who experience difficulty using standard keyboard layouts due to mobility limitations. This can be achieved by including options for one-handed use, alternative input methods, or larger key sizes.
-
Cultural FactorsSome keyboard layouts may be preferred in certain regions due to cultural or historical reasons, such as the QWERTY layout in English-speaking countries and the AZERTY layout in France.
-
AestheticsThe visual appeal of a keyboard layout can be a factor in its popularity. A well-designed keyboard layout should be visually pleasing, while still maintaining functionality and ease of use.
-
Industry AdoptionA popular keyboard layout should be widely used by professionals in industries such as software development, data entry, and journalism, as well as educational institutions teaching typing and computer skills. This widespread adoption helps to ensure compatibility and encourages further development and improvement of the layout.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular keyboard layout. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or layout is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2412 views
- 173 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each layout once every 24 hours. The rank of each layout is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular keyboard layout
Keyboard layouts have come a long way since their inception in the 19th century. Today, various keyboard layouts are used in different parts of the world, making typing a truly global phenomenon. The most popular keyboard layout is the QWERTY layout, which was developed in the 1870s for typewriters. This layout has survived the test of time and is still widely used today. However, there are other keyboard layouts such as AZERTY and QWERTZ that are popular in different parts of the world. Each keyboard layout has its own unique features and benefits, making it important to choose the right one for your needs.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
