How many keys are on a computer keyboard?

How many keys are on a computer keyboard?

Although there is not a single set of rules dictating the number of keys on a keyboard, most companies use the PC keyboard with 104 keys as a de facto standard. There have been many different manufacturers over the years, so the number of keys varies from model to model. This document contains the counts for many of the more common types of keyboards in their respective classes.

IBM/PC keyboards

• Original IBM PC Keyboard (1981) - 83 keys
• Updated IBM PC Keyboard (1984) - 84 keys
• AT Keyboard - 84 keys
• AT Enhanced Keyboard - 101 keys
• US Traditional Keyboard - 101 keys
• Enhanced European Keyboard - 102 keys
• Windows Keyboard - 104 keys
• Windows-based Laptop Keyboard - 86 keys

Apple keyboards

• Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad - 109 keys
• Apple Wireless Keyboard - 78 keys
• Apple MacBook Air laptop - 78 keys

Miscellaneous keyboards

Other keyboard configurations may include more than 104 keys, mainly being the Korean, Japanese, and Brazilian keyboards. Also, keyboards with keys to control a CD drive and Media Center functionality using special keys may have several dozen additional keys. Other keyboards provide programmable keys and may fall into the category of a programmable or gaming keyboard.

Gaming keyboards, media keyboards, or programmable keyboards often have 110 to 115 keys. The specific number of keys they have depends on the additional functionality they provide for a computer and to users.

How many function keys are on a keyboard?

Today's traditional PC keyboards have 12 function keys, F1 through F12. Many Apple desktop computer keyboards with a number pad have 19 function keys, F1 through F19. See our function keys page for further information about function keys and their functions.

How many keys are on the numeric keypad

Most desktop computer keyboards have one numeric keypad, and if you count all of the numbers and symbols on it, there are 17 keys on the PC numeric keypad and 18 keys on most Apple keyboards.

Some laptop keyboards include a numeric keypad, while others do not. Most laptops with a 15" or larger screen size have a numeric keypad. Laptops with smaller screen sizes usually do not have a numeric keypad.

Note: Some computers may also have an external USB numeric keypad attached to the computer. An external USB numeric keypad can have any number of keys. For example, the one shown on our numeric keypad page has 31 keys.

How many number keys are on a keyboard?

If you only count the row of number keys near the top of the keyboard, numbers 1 through 0, there are ten number keys on the keyboard. If the keyboard also has a numeric keypad (1 through 0), there are twenty number keys on the keyboard.

How many alphabetic keys are on a keyboard?

On an English computer keyboard, there are the same numbers of letters as there are in the language, 26 letters.

How many symbols are on a keyboard?

On an English QWERTY keyboard there are 40 symbols (e.g., @, #, $, and % that are not letters or numbers) on 28 keys. There is a difference in numbers because some of the keys have two symbols.

Note: The above count includes the Windows key and Menu key (3 keys) and does not count the arrow keys.

How many arrow keys are on a keyboard?

There are four arrow keys on a keyboard. If you also count the arrow keys on most PC keyboards the number pad, there are eight arrow keys.

How many rows of keys are there on a keyboard?

Counting the top function keys row there are six rows of keys. Three of those rows contain the alphabetic letters.

Functions of Every Key - Keys on the Computer Keyboard and their Functions

Write function of every keys of keyboard in details with their names.

Keys on the computer keyboard 

Alt Key 

A computer key that you press together with another key so that the other key does something different from what it usually does. You can also refer to this key simply as Alt.

Arrow Key

One of four computer keys marked with an up, down, left, or right arrow, used for moving the cursor.

Backspace

The key that you press on a keyboard to move one space backwards in a document.

Caps Lock

A key on a computer keyboard that makes all the keys produce capital letters.

Character Set

A complete set of letters, numbers, or symbols that can be used by a computer.

Command Key

On some computers, a key that you press together with another key to make the computer do a particular thing.

Control

The control key on a computer keyboard.

Control Key

A key on a computer keyboard that is used in combination with other keys for doing particular operations. This key is usually marked ‘Ctrl’.
ctrl abbreviation control: the control key on a computer keyboard.

Delete Key

A computer key that removes characters. This key is sometimes simply referred to as del.

Enter Key

A key on a computer keyboard that makes the computer perform an action or start a new line of writing.

Escape

The escape key on a computer.

Escape Key

A key on a computer keyboard that allows someone to stop an action, leave a program, or return to a previous menu. This key is usually marked ‘Esc’.

Function Key

A special button on a computer keyboard that is used for a particular operation in a program. The keys near the top of a keyboard marked ‘F1’ to ‘F12’ are function keys.

Hot Key

A key on a computer keyboard that provides a short way of performing a set of actions

Key

One of the parts that you press on a keyboard to make it produce letters, numbers etc.

Keypad

The part at the side of a computer keyboard that has number keys and arrow keys on it.

Numeric Keypad

The part of a computer keyboard to the right of the main keys that has keys with numbers on them.

Num Lock 

A computer key that you press to make the number keys below it enter numbers and not be used for moving up and down a document.



Pound Key

American the hash key on a telephone keypad or computer keyboard.

Return

A return key.

Return key

A key on a computer keyboard that makes the computer perform an action or start a new line of writing.

Shift

Computing a shift key on a computer keyboard.

Shift Key

The key that you press on a computer keyboard when you want to write a capital letter.

Short Cut

Computing a computer icon or a combination of keys on the keyboard such as ‘Alt + C’ that helps you to do something on the computer more quickly, for example go to a particular program or copy information.

Space Bar

The long narrow bar at the front of a computer keyboard that you press to make a space between words when you are typing.

Star key

The key with the asterisk symbol (*) on a telephone keypad or computer keyboard.

Tab

Computing a button on a computer keyboard or typewriter that you press to move several spaces along the same line.

Tab key

A tab on a computer keyboard.

Toggle

Computing a key or command (=instruction) on a computer that you use to move from one operation or program to another and back again.

Touchpad

Computing a small flat surface on a laptop computer that you touch with your finger in order to move the cursor on the screen.