ANSI Layout

CaseKeyboardsLayoutsPCB

A keyboard layout commonly used in the U.S. and other parts of the world, featuring a wide, single-row Enter key.

Related Key Terms

CaseKeyboards

Connection cables between the PCB and the Daughterboard or battery in wireless keyboards. These connections can be delicate and require careful handling during assembly or upgrades.

PCB

Support for hot-swapping switches, allowing them to be replaced without soldering to the PCB. This provides greater flexibility for switching out switches on the keyboard.

CaseKeyboardsLayouts

A layout that removes the right-side number pad, navigation and function keys, and the F-row, keeping only the most essential keys.

CaseKeyboardsLayouts

An ultra-minimalist layout that eliminates many keys, including arrow and function keys, designed primarily for users who prioritize compactness over functionality.

Layouts

A term referring to the option of building a keyboard with the number pad located on the left instead of the right. This layout is ideal for left-handed users or those who rarely use the number pad.

CaseKeyboardsLayouts

A layout that eliminates some function keys and the right-side number pad, while condensing the arrow keys and navigation keys closer to or within the main alphanumeric cluster.

CaseKeyboards

Custom keyboards that come without switches or keycaps, and in some cases, even without a PCB—requiring you to purchase all these components separately based on your preferences.

Layouts

A standard key layout named after the first six keys on the top row of letters. Originally designed for mechanical typewriters, it has since become the standard layout for most keyboards worldwide.

CaseMount

A mounting style that uses rubber or silicone rings to create separation between rigid parts like the plate, PCB, and case. This design provides a softer, quieter typing experience. It is similar to the Gasket Mount in feel but produces a different sound profile.

Layouts

A keyboard where the keys are arranged in straight rows instead of staggered, designed to reduce unnecessary hand movement and provide faster, more comfortable typing.

CaseKeyboardsLayoutsPCB

A keyboard layout primarily used in Europe, featuring a tall, two-row Enter key and other differences, such as a different placement for the backslash key.

PCB

Grooves or cuts in the PCB or plate that add extra flexibility and affect the typing feel. These cuts can also influence the keyboard’s sound profile.

CaseKeyboardsLayouts

A layout that retains the full 100% key set but with reduced spacing between the keys, maintaining full functionality while saving desk space.

Red Green Blue
PCB

Colorful key lighting, often with the ability to control each key individually. Some keyboards also feature peripheral lighting or underglow, which casts light onto the desk surface.

PCB

A process where switches are soldered directly to the PCB, securing them in place and preventing easy replacement.

FRL-TKL
CaseKeyboardsLayouts

A layout also known as F-Row-Less TKL, which removes the top row of F-keys while retaining all other keys, offering a more compact alternative to the TKL layout.

Rotary Encoder
CaseKeyboards

A control knob for functions like volume and lighting brightness, found on some keyboards. In certain cases, it can be customized for additional functions.

PCB

Colorful key lighting where each key has its own individual LED, as opposed to keyboards with only peripheral lighting or LEDs for specific groups of keys.

Printed Circuit Board
PCB

The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is the motherboard of the keyboard, where all electronic functions take place. It houses the switch sockets, USB connections, RGB lighting, and wireless communication (if supported).

CaseKeyboards

A quick-release mechanism based on magnets, allowing easy opening and closing of the case for upgrades or internal adjustments to the keyboard.

CaseKeyboards

A configuration where the case, switches, and keycaps are as low-profile as possible to achieve a compact appearance and high portability. There is a relatively limited selection of compatible low-profile keycaps and switches.

CaseKeyboards

A keyboard that comes fully assembled with all components and is ready to use straight out of the box. This differs from terms like Kit, Barebone, or Custom keyboards, which refer to keyboards that come without switches, keycaps, and sometimes even stabilizers, plates, or PCBs — requiring you to purchase and assemble the components yourself.

Layouts

A keyboard split into two separate parts that can be positioned at different angles and distances for user comfort. Split keyboards are designed to reduce strain on the joints and can help those suffering from joint pain.

CaseKeyboardsLayouts

An ergonomic layout where the keyboard is split into two sections angled towards each other, designed to reduce strain on the wrists during typing.