How to Type on a Qwerty Keyboard

Mastering the QWERTY keyboard is a task that can take several months.

The QWERTY keyboard has long been the standard when it comes to American computers. This key setup, which is officially known as US Standard 101, is found on almost every laptop keyboard and external keyboard produced for the United States market. You can also find QWERTY keyboards on smartphones and other small devices. Typing with a QWERTY takes time but can be mastered with practice.

Instructions

1. Place your fingers in "Home Row" position. Put your left pinkie finger on the "A" key, your ring finger on the "S" key, your middle finger on "D" and your index on "F". Your right fingers go on "J," "K," "L," and the semi-colon and apostrophe keys.

2. Use the closest available finger to hit whichever key you need to type. For example, the "U" key is directly over the "J," which is the home key of your right index finger.

3. Return your fingers to the home keys when you are not typing. Your fingers will eventually learn where each key lies in relation to the home row.

4. Work on developing an even typing rhythm. While it may be tempting to try to type as fast as possible, if you work to build a steady rhythm, you can increase your speed over time without increasing the number of errors you make.

5. Practice typing in this manner for at least an hour a day. You can chat with friends, write stories, or copy information from books or newspapers. The more you type, the faster and more efficient you will become.

References

• Power Typing: The Basics of Typing
• Deaf and Blind: Qwerty Keyboard