Typing95
Keyboard Finger Placement
Touch typing assigns every key to one finger. Pick a finger below to see its keys, or use the table further down as a quick reference.
Finger Placement Chart
L = left hand, R = right hand. 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger, T = thumb.
The home row: where your fingers rest
Place your left little, ring, middle and index fingers on A, S, D and F, and your right index, middle, ring and little fingers on J, K, L and ;. Both thumbs rest lightly on the space bar. F and J have small raised bumps so you can find them without looking. Every reach starts and ends here.
Which finger types which key
| Finger | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left little finger | ` ~, 1 !, Tab, Q, Caps, A, Shift, Z |
| Left ring finger | 2 @, W, S, X |
| Left middle finger | 3 #, E, D, C |
| Left index finger | 4 $, 5 %, R, T, F, G, V, B |
| Right index finger | 6 ^, 7 &, Y, U, H, J, N, M |
| Right middle finger | 8 *, I, K, , < |
| Right ring finger | 9 (, O, L, . > |
| Right little finger | 0 ), - _, = +, Backspace, P, [ {, ] }, \ |, ; :, ' ", Enter, / ?, Shift |
| Thumbs | Space bar |
The index fingers do the most work: each covers two columns, including the middle keys T, G, B and Y, H, N. Shift is pressed by the little finger of the opposite hand from the letter.
Correct hand position for typing
- Curve your fingers gently, as if holding a small ball, and touch the keys with your fingertips.
- Keep your wrists level, floating just above the keyboard rather than bent up or resting hard on the desk.
- Relax your shoulders and keep your elbows close to your body, at roughly a right angle.
- Move fingers, not hands. Reach for a key with one finger and return it to the home row.
Common finger placement mistakes
- Typing B with the right hand. It belongs to the left index finger.
- Letting the hands drift off the home row, so every key needs a look to find.
- Using only one Shift key, which twists the hand on half of all capitals.
- Hammering the keys. A light touch is faster and easier on your hands.
Ready to practice? Follow the typing lessons, which show the right finger for every key as you type.
More free typing tests and games
- Typing Lessons – Learn to type with free touch-typing lessons: home row, top row, bottom row, capitals, numbers and punctuation, with an on-screen keyboard guide.
- Blind Typing Test – A blind typing test with no right-or-wrong colors while you type, so you learn to trust your fingers. Plus how to type without looking.
- One-Handed Typing – Practice typing with one hand: words that use only left-hand or only right-hand keys. Find your weaker hand and train it with a timed test.
- Typing Test – Take a free online typing test in 15 seconds to 5 minutes. See your words per minute, accuracy and errors instantly. No sign-up needed.