Keyboard Sizes Explained: 60% vs 65% vs 75% vs TKL vs Full Size
Updated
Keyboard sizes are named for how much of a full 104-key layout they keep. A full-size board has everything. TKL (tenkeyless) drops the numpad. 75% squeezes the function row and arrows into a compact block. 65% drops the function row but keeps arrows. 60% drops arrows too, putting them on a function layer.
Keyboard sizes compared
| Size | Approx. keys | Function row | Arrow keys | Numpad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full size (100%) | 104 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 96% / 1800 | ~96–100 | Yes | Yes | Yes, compacted |
| TKL (80%) | 87 | Yes | Yes | No |
| 75% | ~84 | Yes | Yes | No |
| 65% | ~66–68 | No (Fn layer) | Yes | No |
| 60% | ~61 | No (Fn layer) | No (Fn layer) | No |
| 40% | ~40–47 | No | No | No |
Key counts are for ANSI layouts and vary a little between boards.
Full size
Everything, including the numpad. Best if you enter a lot of numbers. It takes the most desk space and pushes your mouse furthest away.
96% and 1800
Keeps the numpad but packs it tightly against the rest of the keys. A good compromise if you need numbers but want something smaller.
TKL (tenkeyless)
A full layout without the numpad: 87 keys on ANSI. It's popular for gaming because it frees up mouse room while keeping every other key where you expect it.
75%
Roughly a TKL with the gaps removed. You keep the function row and arrows, but keys like Insert and Print Screen move or go onto a layer. Very popular in custom keyboards.
65%
Drops the function row. F-keys move to a layer (hold Fn and press a number key), but you keep dedicated arrows and usually Delete or Page Up/Down. A favorite for a compact board you can still navigate with.
60%
The classic compact size. No dedicated arrows or function row; both live on a layer. It's the smallest size most people can adapt to without much retraining.
Which size should you get?
- Need a numpad? Full size or 96%.
- Gaming? TKL, 75% or 65% give you mouse room without losing much.
- Use F-keys a lot? 75% or TKL.
- Want the most compact board you can live with? 65%, then 60% if you don't mind arrows on a layer.
Size also affects sound a little, since larger cases have more internal space to resonate. Here's how sizes compare in community sound ratings:
Frequently asked questions
Does a 60% keyboard have arrow keys?
Not as dedicated keys. Arrows, the function row and keys like Delete are on a function layer, reached by holding Fn.
65% vs 75% keyboard: which should I get?
Get a 75% if you use F-keys often. Get a 65% if you want a smaller board and can live with F-keys on a function layer. Both have arrow keys.
How many keys does a TKL keyboard have?
A standard ANSI tenkeyless has 87 keys: a full-size layout without the numpad.
What keyboard size is best for gaming?
Smaller boards like 60% and 65% leave more room for your mouse, which many gamers like. If you also use the numpad or F-keys a lot, TKL or 75% is a safer pick.