Buyers Guide : What Size Mechanical Keyboard Should you Get? 

Just a brief guide on keyboard form factors, especially to help out people just looking into getting a mech. I definitely feel that a lot of the consumer market are fixated on full size and TKL boards because the other layouts aren't as well known. Anyway, let me know what form factor you're running!

RU-vid recommended me a cute custom keyboard video and then punted me down this rabbit hole.

"allows you to use the numpad and mouse simultaneously" *laughs in left hand*

Personally, I like the 96% because it crams all of the keys together while still allowing all of them to exist. Basically like having a full size without all of the extra gaps in between groupings. I work with numbers fairly often and I can't bear to part with the numpad. Only problem with 96% is that it isn't popular. The market is swamped with 60%/75% keyboards and this form doesn't get a lot of recognition.

Using Leopold TKL. Really happy with the size. Mainly for coding. Sometimes I miss the numpad when I use "windows calc" but it's by no means a handicap. I love it. It's the size that fits me best.

Personally I have a two key keyboard and just input everything into binary. My keyboard can only do 1 and 0!

65% percent for me, you can take my arrow keys from my cold dead hands!

I recently got a TKL keyboard after only ever having used the full layout, and I'm so relieved to have that numpad off my mouse space.

I like 60% since it forces me to use hjkl when I'm in VIM to navigate instead of arrow keys.

I've been in the keyboard community for nearly 4 years now but I still like watching your more basic/intro type videos just because your production is so good

Top quality editing, as usual.

Thanks for putting this out there, I happen to be one of the no clue people and this definitely pointed me in the right direction. Thanks!

Great video! Answered all my questions about keyboard size, thank you!

Split space 40% (AMJ40 style) for typing and general day to day. 75% like a KBD75 / Satisfaction75 etc for all rounder + gaming. To me a 40% makes more sense than even a 60% board. 60% board still requires hand movement across the board, but still requiring you to use layers because of the reduced keys. 40% however, there is almost no hand movement as all the keys will be below your hands at all times. Once you get the rhythm down for using your layer keys, it ends up being faster and comfier to type on and hit other keys compared to the 60% as everything is in reach all the time. 75% to me makes the most sense for gaming as you dont have to worry at all about using layers for function row, but cuts off the pointless numpad that can just be changed for a wireless external one that you throw in a drawer when not in use.

2:22 i see you, lowkey calling them 'psychos' haha

I want to look into some keyboards even though it's highly likely that I won't need one, I've just been wanting one for months now.. This helps me with my searches in a way. Very helpful video

Thanks for this awesome video - I'm just starting the research process for building my 1st mech keyboard and your visuals are *very* helpful!

I've gone from full sized to TKL, tried smaller boards but could not get used to them as many tend to deviate from the standard layout. However, TKL is perfect as it allows me to easily touch type on most keyboards, while also maintaining a cleaner deskspace at home without missing any function keys which are important for switching terminals in linux.

I'm using a 40% layout for about half a year now and I can't imagine going back for my everyday primary keyboard. It's amazing to have all the buttons right under the fingers in an ergonomic arrangement.

Instant subscribe. I’ve been searching for a video like this for 3 weeks. Now off to learn more about keyboards.

This is a really helpful video. I've just begun my adventure into custom pc hardware, so being able to see what the different keyboard sizes will offer me, was ideal. Incidentally, I'm currently using a 75% logitech keyboard from I think 2016? So I definitely am looking for an update, haha.

02:30 - *The Reve Festival: Finale* i see youre a man of culture as well

2:26 redvelvet?!?!!?!? :)

Really good video! Helped me out a ton. I am currently using a full size keyboard but am going to switch to a tkl one soon:)

This video helped me decide to downsize to a 75% (keychron k2) from my old massive 100%, and I'm absolutely loving it! My keyboard tray used to feel cramped, now it feels luxuriously spacious. And I don't have to reach quite as far for the arrow keys, to boot. Might be the best $80 I ever spent.

2:29 reveluv?

I’m thinking about switching from my 65% keeb to 60% but I really would like to keep arrow keys. Fortunately there’s DZ60 (or GK64) PCBs that allow to combine 60% form-factor and arrow keys simultaneously. It gives a massive customizing opportunities.

I bought an Anne Pro 2 yesterday and i'm already loving the small and compact form factor. It removes so many useless keys and just frees up so much space on my desk.

Small body TKL is perfect for me. Might try a 75 since it retains the all important F Keys, Home/End keys and arrow keys, essential for any coding workflow.

I'd do away with the num row before the num pad. I almost always use it for special charecters and not numbers.

One addition which can be important to some is reprogrammability of keys. I love the VIM-keybindings in my linux setup and it took me some time to adjust to hjkl-movement, but now it is great. except for use with a pok3r-keyboard, where movement is hardcoded to FN+JIKL. of course it still works in applications which support vim-keybindings, but if you must switch to arrows (or the respective key-combo of the keyboard) it sucks big time, since the movement you have trained yourself to quite painstakingly, is just that one keypress off every frigging time

Since I’m a student studying accounting and business management.. imma need that 10 key. 100% for me

After much deliberation and searching, I recently grabbed a Leopold FC750R OE in Grey/Blue with Cherry MX Brown switches (cheers to your reviews on some Leopolds that convinced me). As my first foray into the world of mechanical keyboards I really enjoy it! The TKL form factor is super nice and makes my minimally sized desk feel more spacious without sacrificing my precious function and arrow keys! For the actual keyboard itself: The build quality is phenomenal! It feels sturdy, rigid, and consistent. The keys are beautifully made, and they show off Leopold's history and experience in the industry. The Cherry MX Brown switches seem to be exactly how many people described them! Very middle of the road. Nothing amazing, nothing terrible. They're alright! And if the rest of the keyboard weren't so amazing, perhaps that would bug me, but I think it's a perfect way to get my feet wet and have a solid understanding of what one specific switch feels like (on one specific board) and begin crafting a baseline to compare other keyboards to. Cheers!

I'm using TKL. For a few years now. But I want to switch to 75% with spaces, like the satisfaction keyboard. It's also my favorite kind of layout, both in terms of looks and usability. :)

1:07 What font is that on the orange key caps? They look sooooo good I definitely want to check them out

If you go ortho, you can set your layers up such that the numpad rests under your left hand. I find this amazingly convenient, personally, as once you're fully used to it you essentially never have to lift your hands to access any keyboard function. With some creative usage of mouse keys mapped to your board and knowledge of your hotkeys, it's possible to virtually eliminate usage of the mouse for non-gaming applications. I find now that something like a Planck has "too many" keys to know what to do with. When you jump off the deep end with QMK and start exploring combos/chords/tapdance/etc, you can reduce your form factor pretty damn far. I find somewhere around 40 keys to be my comfy zone. Any fewer and I have to rely too much on combos for mod keys, and combos can be complicated to organize given the keys you're holding can't be used for their basic functions.

When I woke up today I didn't know I'd be watching a guide for keyboard form factors. I'm on my way now to find me a 60% keyboard. So yeah, thanks for that, excellent video!

Im currently running a Ducky One 2 SF with Cherry Reds, first mech and am thoroughly enjoying it. Thinking about trying a 60% kb (ended up not using the arrow keys as much as i thought) and also want wireless so thinking about trying the anne pro v2 next. The customization on the 60% would also be easier to get into methinks

i love 60% because they are equal and that i like, also with anne pro 2 you dont lose anything, the right side alt and print key is used as function keys to activate numbers and the f keys so its good for me

Programmer from the PH here! I find ortholinear 40%s very versatile and convenient to use, quite portable too! Can't live without a numpad, so I had to make a numpad layer. It has been 2 years since I made the switch and I'm still in love with my 40% ortho. Love your content btw!

Nice video. I don't understand the trend toward smaller keyboards, though. I like the full-size 101-key layout with a large bezel all around. This makes it easy to pick up the keyboard to move it around on the desk and also looks and feels more solid.

I started with a TKL, went to a 75%, and recently just got a 60%. I still use the TKL as my work kb, because well it recently got lubed nk creams

I’ve been using a ducky one 2 mini for about a half of a year now, and while I have to agree it’s super awesome, I just can’t seem to live without the keypad, arrows, and f1-f12 keys. It’s hard to get used to

Hate how rare and time consuming some parts are to purchase to build your own. I’m so impatient but you have a new sub!

This is such a good video for explaining the basics. I am going to be building my girlfriend her first custom, and in lieu of spending a bunch of time finding examples of each size myself, I just showed her this. Thanks for this!

Daily driver is a 60. Anne Pro, currently waiting on parts to build a Discipline 65

ive been in keebs for a bit, my main is a tada 68 but im switching to the tkc candybar for that lefty numpad and arrows on a 40%

lmao, imagine having to move your hand to reach a key this post was made by the 1% gang 😎

For me, I'm so used to having WASD position and my mouse parallel to my chair's armrests that I just can't use anything smaller than full sized keyboard. But then again, I could keep the mouse position parallel to the right armrest while using any smaller keyboards but, that actually destroys the purpose of having smaller keyboards right?

I moved from a full sized Corsair Strafe to the 60% Durgod Venus after seeing your review on it and have been loving it so far. I rebound FN1 to Capslock, Capslock to FN1+Shift, and arrow keys to FN1+IJKL and it feels great to use (in my opinion). I'd never go back to full size now, but eventually I may experiment with 65% and 75% boards out of curiosity.

currently im using the logitech gpro tkl, but i ordered the vortex tab90m w/ mx browns and some different keycacps

Started with a full. Then I went to a 60%. 60% was a little too small for me, so about a year later I bought a TKL.

2:29 STAN RED VELVET!!!

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!! I'm looking to buy a Satisfaction 75 when they post up the extras they had. Hopefully I can snag one. 75% FTW!

I wish 1800 / 96% boards are supported more often. End up using 75% keyboard with stand-alone numpad.

Ik it's a bit late, but I wanna ask something. I want arrow keys, but a small form factor. But I don't like the look of of most tkl. 65 or 75 would be an option, the problem is, that the keypads I wanna use (pudding keycaps) don't have these smaller keycaps. Do you know any wireless (Bluetooth) 65 or 75 keyboard with standard sized keycaps? Thanks If I don't find one, I will just by an Anne Pro 2 and maybe just put the arrow keys in the right down corner.

I'm a little torn between a 65 and a split 75 right now. I use the F keys so rarely that I could probably go without, but I've only used 100% keyboards so I'm a little attached to them. Anyway, how do you find all these different brands? I've been looking into custom keyboards just to see what's out there and they're scattered so far and wide I have no idea where you came across most of the keyboards shown.

i wish the left hand board is more popular. i want my board full sized but it does strain my hand, so if it was inverted like that it'll be perfect for me

As an IT student, my preference goes to full size, unfortunately my desk is quite small so I couldn't fit one in XD

i am looking for a white keyboard with really unique keycaps like let's say transparent and or cool colors and RGB i am eyeing full and TKL what would you recommend?

This guide is so underrated.

I get so excited every time you upload :)

I have a drop Alt keyboard with a mix of Halo trues and Zealios 67g. An absolute step down from the full size and I love it to bits. Only thing i miss is the numpad. Still waiting on a good 95% board. But i have a separate numpad board coming from drop later next month. I wouldn't go down any further. The size it perfect at the moment.

Incredibly helpful and clear video, thank you

In reference to your video on a starting board build without the need for soldering, and considering the unavailability of the dz60rgb v2 at the moment, what would you recommend as a first build for a slightly larger size? ie 65 & 75%.

I struggle because I love the small form factor of a keyboard without a number pad, but I need one for my design work at home. I wonder if I should just keep a separate number pad handy for the times that I am doing work.

Mans really thought he could get away with putting Red Velvet on his monitors and have me not notice... heehee

Can you please do a HS60 v3 build? 😁 Im looking at getting one and there aren't many uk iso 60% hot swappable pcbs

with the ANNE PRO 2 you can use the bottom right keys as arrow keys when you tab them and I love that.

7:30 hmm if i used a numpad i would probably go for that. That makes so much more sense. why isn't that standard?

Full size keyboards are my personal favorite, since I use the numpad for extra keybinds. The smallest I would be willing to use is a 60% keyboard.

So i was wondering if you could give me some advice? I am after a full 104 key wireless keyboard with at least a dongle for rf transmission so not just a bluetooth board. it would ideally have hotswap capability and zealios V2 switches with the DSA Scientific keycaps. caseback could be plastic because metal scratches to easily. I'd like it to have white LED lights for nighttime visability. I'm currently typing on a gamesir GK300 with the blue switches and i am wondering if i should get another one to pull apart and base my build on if that is even an option. Maybe there are better options out there but i'm having a hard time finding one for a full board.

How do you get into the bios when there are no f-keys? When you have to press f8 on some bios?

I think the drevo calibur v2 is the perfect fit for me, it has everything I need, so I guess i need to save up a bit

damn this is an amazing and much needed video!

You’ve made me purchase one without a numpad. It’s handy for entering a PIN or long string of numbers and I considered it necessary until I thought about how often I actually use them

My absolute favorite is the 65% layout, it contains everything I need and skips everything I barely use. I am an ISO user as well and I am currently using a Keychron K6, which checks all the boxes for me.

As much as i love small form factor boards I love the many vintage 122+% behemoths just a tad more, they look absolutely menacing on any desk that can fit them!

Great job and very informative m8. 👌

Great job ! Love your content ! Do you have some recommandations about keyboard brands and about custom keyboard website that provides good quality parts ? Thanks you :)

got my first 60% & mechanical 4 days ago and love it. i think i get a 2nd one for my officespace.

I made my own custom 60% board but, a 65% would make more sense since dedicated arrow keys would help alot with terminal stuff. 60% is a good starting point though since many parts are available easier then for 65% etc...

Well I think My IBM Model M is like a 150% :) It's massive!

@ 0:22 seconds I spot another Last Dinosaurs fan! Was super cool to see that album artwork hidden in plain sight :)

-hi, I want to consult about stuck/mushy stabs. So, I've bought the Durock Transparent Clear stabs (plate mount), it turns out that this Transparent Clear variant is a bit different than the Smokey Black and Tourmaline variant. This one happened to have rails inside of the housing, and the stem legs are shaped similarly to standard prebuilt stock stabs, but thicker so I don't think it's necessary to clip them. While the housings of the smokey black and tourmaline variant doesn't have any rails inside, and their stem legs are completely flat. Tbh, the rails are indeed good to reduce the stem vs housing rattle, but it seems to make it a bit stuck when placed at the spacebar as the rails made them too tight. I'm at a loss on how to overcome this. Currently I grabbed a pair of housing and stem from my still-not-used-yet Durock Tourmaline stab just for the spacebar stab. At fist, I thought it was the keycap, then I've also checked the spacebar wire, but then I tried them on four different keyboards of mine and they're all stuck the same due to the railings being too tightly pressed against the stem. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks

65% + separate numpad is really the optimal layout for me. I also put my numpad on the left side of my keyboard if I'm using it.

such a clean, thorough, gorgeous video. exactly what i was looking for. i've been using a dinky 65% and find that i'm now much faster with the number row than with the numpad on my laptop, so i'm excited to find a nice 60% or 65% to enjoyyy.

I was always a full size keyboard user but the ergonomics argument is valid and space spacings was much need. Tried 60% and 75% but ended up liking 65% the most. The problem with most 75%, like you noted, is at it feels cramped. I do need the Function row, or just more keys for macros, so looking at “exploded 75%” (75 with separated clusters) keyboards now. Will still keep the 65% for portable use. I also think a separate numpad is better for most people in combination with a 65/75/TKL keyboard. You can have it on the left or right and just get matching keycaps. You can move it out of the way when you don’t need it. Or repurpose it as a macro pad..

Are there any issues using a layered delete key to enter bios? I think I could live without a numpad but worry about controlling my PC outside of the OS when I only have 60% of the board. I like Hardware and OCing and fiddling with stuff lol

I usually would recommend TKL. I realised the importance of dedicated Function keys after not having them on my first custom mech.

I’ve got an Razer Cynosa Pro, a full sized keyboard, but I’m getting an Anne Pro 2 soon, I would love to do an minimalist setup 👌🏾

I've got a 60% very happy with it, it's an Anne pro 2 so I can tap the bottom right keys for arrows

Awesome video! It helped me so much

Got a ducky one 2 mini with silent reds, and i love it. What are you guys use the arrow keys for? I never really used them.

I use a full size but I am thinking of a TKL as my next.

I have a question. I live in Germany and our keyboards keys are arranged differently here. I think Z and Y is switched. That is probably my biggest problem because I require these keys for gaming ! Any tips where I can get german mech keyboards or a way to change the function of the keys up? I was thinking about buying the Reddragon K530 because I saw it is pretty cheap but good.

Love the smaller keyboards, but programming without the function keys is painful once you get used to certain IDE features. I suppose one could set up some vi macros to get around this with a bit of practice.

I daily drive a full size but I'm going to build my first custom 40% soon, mainly for gaming

HHKB all day long with the side key for all the needed layers (function, arrow and so on). 👌🏻

I currently use a gateron brown anne pro 2 and would like to switch to a 65% keyboard. but the problem is my main option only comes in mx switches, whats the best 1 to 1 transfer from gateron brown to mx (insert color) ?