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How Many Keys Are on a 75% Keyboard? (Layout Details)

Pete McPherson
How Many Keys Are on a 75% Keyboard? (Layout Details)

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A 75% keyboard might just be the best BALANCE between size & functionality.

It’s small enough to save deskspace (and look cool), but retains enough functionality and ease of use--for just about anybody!

Here are more details 👇

How many keys are on a 75% keyboard?

There are usually 84 keys on a 75% keyboard. However, there are a few 75% keyboards that might have 84-87 keys.

However, many 80% keyboards are incorrectly labeled as 75% keyboards (and even 65% keyboards), so this adds more confusion.

75% vs 65% keyboard size 75% Keychron K2 on bottom has the function key row!

Almost all of the most popular 75% keyboards have 84 keys:

What keys are missing on a 75% keyboard?

75% keyboards do not include the following sections:

  • The 10-key number pad (usually on the right side of the keyboard)
  • All of the “home cluster” keys (Home, End, Delete, Insert, PageUp, PageDown, etc)

75% keyboards still include:

  • The standard letters and punctuation keys
  • The number key row
  • The function key row
  • Modifier keys (like Alt, Control, Command, Option, and Function)
  • SOME of the home cluster keys

What are some other keyboard sizes?

First, check out our full guide to keyboard sizes here.

Some of the most popular keyboard sizes include:

  • 100% full-sized (has all the keys, function row, arrow keys, numberpad, etc)
  • 96% - Has the same keys, but with no “dead space” in between the key clusters
  • 80% TKL - Doesn’t have the numberpad
  • 75% - Same as 80%, but with no “dead space” in between the key clusters
  • 65% - Doesn’t have the numberpad or function row, but usually has arrow keys and a few “home cluster” keys
  • 60% compact - Doesn’t have numberpad, function row, arrow keys, or home cluster keys
  • 40% compact (doesn’t have a number row)

keyboard sizes the most popular keyboard sizes

What’s the BEST keyboard size?

This comes down to personal preference, including what keys you need for work or gaming, as well as the desk space you want your keyboard to take up.

That said, the most popular keyboard sizes are 60%, 65%, 75%, 80% TKL, and 100% full-sized.

These offer enough functionality, with the 75% and 80% TKL keyboards being the best balance of functionality and desk space!

How big/long is a 75% keyboard?

75% keyboards are definitely NOT compact keyboards. They take up a good bit of desk space!

The exact dimensions vary from keyboard to keyboard, but most 75% keyboards are roughly 13 inches long (32cm) and 5 inches tall (12cm).

How many switches will I need for a 75% keyboard?

More than 84-87 switches. Since switches often come in packs of 10, I recommend choosing a package of around 90 switches.

It never hurts to have extras in case a switch turns into a dud, etc.

What are some of the best uses for 75% keyboards?

You can use 75% keyboards for anything. Work, gaming, video editing, travel, or working in an office.

You don’t really lose any functionality from an 80% keyboard (it’s just smaller in terms of desk space), and the only feature you lose from a full-sized 100% keyboard is the 10-key number pad!

If you’re an accountant and need the 10-key, oh well—but for literally anybody else—a 75% keyboard will be totally functional and fun!

Are keyboard “sizes” and “layouts” the same thing?

No.

Although “size” and “layout” are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to different aspects of keyboards!

“Size” generally refers to both 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).

“Layout” usually refers to the arrangement of the keys and shape of some keys, such as ANSI (popular in North America), ISO (popular in Europe), and JIS (Japan).

Additionally, “layout” can also refer to the software arrangement of the typing keys, such as “QWERTY,” Colemak, and Dvorak.

Read our full guide to keyboard layout here.

Here are the top 75% keyboards we recommend:

You can see our top recommendations for 75% keyboards here, but here are a few of our favorites:

Keychron K2

The Vissles is still pretty budget-friendly but offers a few smaller upgrades over the ultra-budget Tecware Phantom. It comes with better switch options (mostly silent switch options, if you’re into that!), built-in sound dampening, etc.

It’s also wireless, hot-swappable, etc, similar to the Keychron!

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Happy clicking and clacking my mechanical keyboard friends!

Here are our other guides to various keyboard sizes 👇