There are more mechanical keyboard sizes and layouts today than ever before which is why you might not have heard of a TKL (tenkeyless) keyboard before. TKL keyboards have become more popular over the past few years as people have adapted to working from home and don’t have a large workspace. The compact size of the TKL makes it a great choice without having to sacrifice the more traditional layout vs. 60% keyboard and 65% keyboard sizes that have a more mashed-up layout. This is what makes a TKL keyboard an excellent form factor for those looking for a compact, portable, and easy-to-use keyboard with little to no learning curve. 

“TKL” stands for “tenkeyless,” although this term is not to be taken literally. TKL keyboards do not have exactly 10 fewer keys than a full-sized keyboard. Tenkeyless simply means the keyboard does not have a numeric pad. As a result of the removal of the numeric pad, TKL keyboards are smaller and more portable than full-sized keyboards. TKL keyboards may also be called 80% keyboards because they typically have 87 or 88 keys total, which is roughly 80% of the number of keys on a full-sized keyboard depending on the country. 

The Differences Between a 65% and a TKL Keyboard? 

While a TKL keyboard is smaller than a full-sized keyboard, it’s not as compact as a 65% keyboard. For people seeking a more compact option, 65% keyboards also become a consideration, although 65% keyboards don’t have the function (F1-F12) keys at the top of the keyboard, while TKLs do. With 65% keyboards, you will have all the letters, numbers, arrow keys, and a basic navigation cluster containing keys such as page up, page down, insert, and delete.

Just because 65% keyboards don’t have dedicated function keys doesn’t mean they can’t offer additional functionality. 65% keyboards replace the utility of TKL function keys with an “Fn” key at the bottom left or right. On some 65% keyboards, by pressing and holding the Fn key and the number rows you can execute functions.

The Difference Between a 75% Keyboard and TKL

The TKL is closest in size to a ">full-sized keyboard layout but want to free up space on your desk, a TKL keyboard is a great option. With a TKL keyboard, you won’t need to learn a new layout, and as long as you can live without a number pad you will have more space on your desk resulting in what might be a more comfortable position with the mouse being closer to your opposite hand.  This smaller size also means the keyboard will weigh less and fit into a backpack easier, which will make it better to travel with and enjoy wherever you go!

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