Take a look at the keyboard in front of you. Whether it's on a laptop or a separate device, the top row of letters likely spells out Q-W-E-R-T-Y. This arrangement is so common it has a name: the QWERTY layout.

This layout wasn't designed for speed. It was created in the 1870s for mechanical typewriters. The inventor placed common letter pairs far apart to stop the machine's metal arms from getting stuck together. Even though modern computers don't have this problem, the QWERTY layout has stuck around.

While QWERTY is the standard for English, other layouts exist for different languages and preferences. For example, French keyboards often use an AZERTY layout, and some typists prefer the Dvorak layout, which is designed for faster typing by placing the most used letters in the easiest-to-reach spots.

Regardless of the layout, every keyboard has a "home row." This is the middle row of letters where your fingers rest, ready to type. For a QWERTY keyboard, this row contains A, S, D, F for your left hand and J, K, L, ; for your right hand.

If you run your fingers over the F and J keys, you'll feel a small bump or ridge on each one. These aren't mistakes. They are tactile markers designed to help you find the home row without looking down at your keyboard. Your index fingers should always rest on these two keys.

Above the number keys, you’ll find a row of keys labeled F1 through F12. These are the function keys. Their purpose isn't fixed; it changes depending on the application you're using. In a web browser, F5 might reload the page, while in a word processor, it might open a "Find and Replace" tool.

Here are a few common uses for them:

Think of them as programmable shortcuts. While you don't need to memorize every function, knowing a few common ones can make your computer use a lot smoother.

Ready to check your understanding?

Now that you're familiar with the basic landscape of your keyboard, you have the foundation needed to build your typing skills.