It is very important to understand different layouts before designing keycaps, because it involves the use of additional keys of different lengths. Only by understanding the characteristics of key positions in different layouts can we clearly know where each key we design is used, and can we ensure the integrity of our design and achieve our ideal design effect.

There are usually two ways to express keyboard layout, namely ratio and number of keys. Common keyboard layouts (expressed by ratio) and the corresponding number of keys are roughly:

100%——104-108 keys
96%——90-100 keys
80%——84-87 keys
75%——80-84 keys
65%——65-68 keys
60%——60-64 keys
There are also 40% and other smaller configurations, which are not listed here

PS:Keyboards of different brands or models may have different key layouts, number of keys, and default function keys, even if they have the same layout type.

From the perspective of practicality and universality, 100% and 96% configurations are still the configurations with the largest user groups;

from the perspective of the customized circle, 60% and 65% configurations have a higher appearance rate, followed by 75% and 80%, while 96% and 100% configurations are relatively rare.

The most common keyboard we have is the standard 104-key layout. Usually, the keyboards that are equipped by default on various office computers are standard layouts.
It basically includes all the keys that need to be used. The disadvantage is that the keyboard occupies a large area and has poor portability.

There is also a more common 100% layout of 108 keys. Compared with the 104-key layout, 4 media keys are added above the numeric keypad area, which is more common on gaming keyboards.

This layout usually has 96-100 keys. On the basis of 100% layout, some function keys are deleted, and the overall layout becomes more compact while retaining the key functions to the greatest extent. The numeric keypad area also retains a good experience when entering numeric passwords.

However, although this layout retains the numeric keypad area, in order to make the keyboard area more compact, the design of many keyboards compresses the original 2U large key 0 into 1U 0, which affects the user experience of the numeric keypad to a certain extent.

This layout is usually based on 87 keys and 84 keys. Compared with the standard layout, the numeric keypad area is reduced, and it is often called TKL layout (abbreviation for Ten Key Less)

Except for the numeric keypad area, other keys and functions remain basically unchanged. It is shorter than the previous two layouts while still combining office and gaming functions.

This layout usually has 80-84 keys. Some function keys are deleted based on the 80% layout. At the same time, the keyboard size is further compressed by shortening the right SHIFT and adjusting the right key arrangement.

The functionality of the 75% layout is not much different from that of the 80% layout, but the portability is increased. It is a layout that better balances practicality and portability.

This layout usually has 65-68 keys. Based on the 75% layout, the F key area is deleted, the width of the keyboard is reduced, the portability is further improved, and it looks more delicate and compact.