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Keyboard Layouts Explained: QWERTY, Dvorak, AZERTY

Tap a layout to see its traits.

QWERTY

The most widely used keyboard layout β€” one story holds that frequently used letters were deliberately spaced apart to reduce mechanical jamming on early typewriters.

Dvorak

An alternative layout designed to boost typing efficiency by clustering the most frequently used letters on the home row.

AZERTY

A layout used mainly in France and Belgium β€” similar to QWERTY, but with the positions of A and Q, and Z and W, swapped.

QWERTZ

A layout used mainly in Germany and Central Europe β€” similar to QWERTY, but with the positions of Y and Z swapped.

Colemak

A modern alternative layout that changes only some key positions, designed to be relatively easy for QWERTY users to adapt to.

Dubeolsik (Korean Layout)

The standard Korean keyboard layout, where the same consonant keys serve double duty for initial and final consonants, with consonants on the left and vowels on the right.

Even the Same Computer Uses a Different Layout by Country

Using a computer abroad, you'll often be thrown off by a layout that differs from the QWERTY you're used to. France uses AZERTY, Germany uses QWERTZ β€” each country's keyboard layout evolved a little differently to suit the characteristics of its own language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does QWERTY remain standard if it isn't the most efficient layout?

Because the vast majority of people worldwide are already so accustomed to QWERTY, the learning cost of switching to another layout is generally considered to outweigh any efficiency gains.

Does learning Dvorak really make you type faster?

In theory it's advantageous because it reduces finger travel distance, but the real-world benefit varies a lot from person to person, and it takes a considerable amount of time to learn.