Key Takeaways
- 100% and 1800 keyboards offer maximum functionality but are huge and clunky.
- TKL keyboards provide a middle ground between functionality and compactness for better ergonomics.
- 75% keyboards are the most compact of the three, retaining the necessary keys and being more visually appealing than the larger layouts.
Mechanical keyboards are in a sort of golden age right now — everyone’s getting interested in them, top-notch options are finally affordable, and building your own keyboard is easier than ever. If you’re contemplating buying your first mechanical keyboard, and aren’t quite sure which size or layout will work best for you, this guide should help you cut through some of the confusion.
I’ll be covering only the three most popular sizes here, namely the 100%, TKL, and 75% layouts. I’m not going smaller than the 75% board, as I feel that’s the smallest layout that retains all the necessary functionality that most users look for on a keyboard. I’ll cover the pros and cons of each layout the way I see them, and suggest which layout would work the best for you based on your preferences.
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100% (and 1800) keyboards
The OG keyboards
This was probably the very first type of keyboard most of us ever used. The 100% (or full-size) layout consists of the full set of function keys, arrow keys, navigation cluster (Home cluster), and numpad, in addition to the alphabet and numeric keys. It used to be the most common keyboard layout in the world (and probably still is, outside of enthusiast communities), but people are slowly considering more compact layouts compared to the full-size layout we’re all familiar with.
Additionally, the 1800 layout is a slightly more compact version of the 100% layout. It retains all the keys found in a full-size keyboard, but shrinks the size a bit by bringing the arrow keys closer to the rest of the keys and moving the navigation cluster keys from two rows to a single row.
Both 100% and 1800 keyboards are ideal for those who can’t do without a numpad.
Pros
- 100% keyboards provide the most functionality and are probably the most familiar to most people.
- Outside of hobbyist and custom keyboards, full-size keyboards are the most available and come in a variety of options and price ranges.
- Both 100% and 1800 keyboards are ideal for those who can’t do without a numpad.
Many users might not like the look of 100% keyboards due to the crowded layout.
Cons
- Full-size (and even 1800) keyboards take up the most space on your desk and are relatively hard to maneuver.
- Many users might not like the look of 100% keyboards due to the crowded layout.
- Ergonomics aren’t the best with 100% keyboards, especially for gamers who need to react quickly and need enough space on the side for mouse movement.
- 100% keyboards aren’t really portable if you’re planning to work somewhere away from your dedicated work desk.
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TKL (tenkeyless) keyboards
The ideal middle ground
When keyboard manufacturers started realizing that many people had no need for the numpad, the TKL layout became more common. Although its roots can be traced back to the IBM Space Saving Keyboard of the 80s and 90s, it only became popular more recently, especially on the custom keyboard scene. Essentially, a TKL keyboard is a full-size keyboard without the numpad cluster and all the associated keys around it.
In reality, it has around 17 keys less than a full-size keyboard, but the name TKL stuck due to the highlight being the omission of the numpad. The TKL layout retains almost all the functionality of a full-size keyboard but reduces the footprint, offering a nice middle ground between the 100% and more compact layouts.
They retain the full function row, number row, arrow keys, and the navigation cluster, so functionality is not hampered.
Pros
- TKL keyboards are more compact than 100% keyboards, saving you desk space and improving ergonomics.
- They retain the full function row, number row, arrow keys, and the navigation cluster, so functionality is not hampered.
- Due to the more centered alphabet cluster and overall compact layout, many users prefer the visual look of the layout.
- For those after custom or enthusiast pre-built keyboards, there are far more options for TKL than full-size keyboards.
Some users might not like the absence of the numpad if they’re used to fast numeric data entry.
Cons
- While smaller than full-size keyboards, TKL keyboards still aren’t what you’d call portable.
- Some users might not like the absence of the numpad if they’re used to fast numeric data entry.
- Custom keycap buyers will need to be fine with some keycaps left unused.
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75% keyboards
The new kid on the block
In a bid to further reduce the keyboard footprint, the 75% layout joined the fray, becoming quite popular in the 2010s. Today, the 75% layout is one of the most popular layouts, thanks to a compact form factor that retains almost all the functionality of a TKL keyboard. This is achieved by shrinking some of the keys near the arrow cluster and switching the navigation cluster from two rows to a single column.
Just imagine cutting off the two rightmost columns in your TKL keyboard, and you’ll get a 75% keyboard. The 75% layout retains the function row as well as the arrow keys, and only gets rid of a few less commonly used keys around the navigation cluster. Personally, this is the smallest layout that I can use, as going further down means giving up on either the function row, arrow keys, or both.
Many people might like the look of the 75% keyboards due to all the keys being closer to each other, resulting in a more symmetrical appearance.
Pros
- 75% keyboards are quite compact without losing too many of the dedicated keys found in the larger layouts; they have better ergonomics, especially for gamers.
- They are more portable than TKL and full-size keyboards, and can be ideal for people working from cafés and other remote locations.
- Many people might like the look of the 75% keyboards due to all the keys being closer to each other, resulting in a more symmetrical appearance.
Due to some non-standard keycap sizes, the number of custom keycap options might be limited.
Cons
- Some users will find the modified navigation cluster lacking and harder to get used to.
- Due to some non-standard keycap sizes, the number of custom keycap options might be limited.
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Which keyboard layout should you choose?
Looks and size vs. functionality
It all comes down to what you can do without. If you feel you don’t need a dedicated numpad on your keyboard, then there’s very little reason to go for a full-size or even 1800 layout keyboard. But if you absolutely need a numpad for your data entry needs, or you’re just too used to it, the full-size layout provides you with enough and more options to pick out a great keyboard.
If you can easily get used to the modified navigation cluster and prefer a more compact layout, then a 75% keyboard is what you should be eyeing.
Next, choosing between the TKL and 75% layout means considering what matters the most to you. Do you want a traditional navigation cluster and enough separation between the different clusters? Then a TKL keyboard is the best for you. On the other hand, if you can easily get used to the modified navigation cluster and prefer a more compact layout, then a 75% keyboard is what you should be eyeing.
Looks are subjective, as some people would prefer the comfortable TKL layout while others would always find the shrunk down 75% layout more visually appealing. If you want to go even smaller, and are fine with giving up the function row and/or the arrow keys, you should even consider the 65% and 60% layouts. These keyboards can truly be called portable, and offer more variety for those comfortable with layered functions.
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Different strokes for different folks
Mechanical keyboards are known for offering tons of options and customization for users, from different layouts, switches, and keycaps, to cases, sound-dampening materials, and other features. When choosing a new keyboard, the layout is perhaps the very first choice you need to make though, and with the guide above, I hope you’ll be able to make that choice easily.
If you aren’t satisfied with a pre-built mechanical keyboard, there are more than enough reasons to build your dream mechanical keyboard yourself. There are many useful guides available on the internet to guide you along the way, and the journey is bound to be enjoyable and informative.