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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Blitzschnitzel on Sun, 05 September 2021, 11:33:02

Title: When people ask about the typing height of a keyboard where do you messure from?
Post by: Blitzschnitzel on Sun, 05 September 2021, 11:33:02
Since keycaps are also different hetghts and at an angle, what is the standard fix point here?
Title: Re: When people ask about the typing height of a keyboard where do you messure from?
Post by: Blitzschnitzel on Tue, 21 September 2021, 12:45:28
Still interested in the answer. ;)
Title: Re: When people ask about the typing height of a keyboard where do you messure from?
Post by: _rubik on Tue, 21 September 2021, 13:57:23
I've always thought the most important measurements are 1) typing angle 2) height of the front bezel (desk to "lip) 3) board depth

From that we can figure out 1) the back height 2) typing height (cap + bezel height)

I suppose you could also figure out home row height if you make the assumption that 0.5 * depth == home row
Title: Re: When people ask about the typing height of a keyboard where do you messure from?
Post by: Leslieann on Tue, 21 September 2021, 20:18:15
Front height is from desk to top of keycap, this and angle are for ergonomic reasons, not aesthetics.

ISO standard are:
0-15 degrees tilt, preferably 5-12
Keyboard height from desk to top of keycap, MIDDLE ROW should not be more than 30mm.
I believe Japan states the front caps need to be 30mm from desk to top of cap.

This actually means many, if not most high end keyboards are at the limits or out of spec while taller boards like the Keychron K2 (and those like it) way out of spec.
Title: Re: When people ask about the typing height of a keyboard where do you messure from?
Post by: _rubik on Tue, 21 September 2021, 21:45:25
Front height is from desk to top of keycap, this and angle are for ergonomic reasons, not aesthetics.

ISO standard are:
0-15 degrees tilt, preferably 5-12
Keyboard height from desk to top of keycap, MIDDLE ROW should not be more than 30mm.
I believe Japan states the front caps need to be 30mm from desk to top of cap.

This actually means many, if not most high end keyboards are at the limits or out of spec while taller boards like the Keychron K2 (and those like it) way out of spec.

Isn't that measurement variable depending on the caps you choose? Sure, if you're manufacturing a keyboard that's sold as a complete unit, adhering to standards is useful. But the difference between, say, SA and LP could be statistically significant.

I guess it also matters from which perspective Blitz is asking the question: a keyboard designer or a consumer sharing the specs of their latest build
Title: Re: When people ask about the typing height of a keyboard where do you messure from?
Post by: Leslieann on Thu, 23 September 2021, 04:44:44
Front height is from desk to top of keycap, this and angle are for ergonomic reasons, not aesthetics.

ISO standard are:
0-15 degrees tilt, preferably 5-12
Keyboard height from desk to top of keycap, MIDDLE ROW should not be more than 30mm.
I believe Japan states the front caps need to be 30mm from desk to top of cap.

This actually means many, if not most high end keyboards are at the limits or out of spec while taller boards like the Keychron K2 (and those like it) way out of spec.

Isn't that measurement variable depending on the caps you choose?
Yes, but what alternative is there?
On some boards there is no plate, other boards the switch height itself is different.  Where you going to measure a Topre with or without MX caps from? Buckling Spring? How would that translate across to an MX with no switches at all?

Nothing is equal across boards, and more importantly, total height is ultimately what you need anyhow. You may be trying to arrive at it in a different way, but ultimately that's the goal.
Title: Re: When people ask about the typing height of a keyboard where do you messure from?
Post by: Blitzschnitzel on Sun, 26 September 2021, 09:41:16
Thanks, you helped me a lot. There should be a standard. Like, top of a Cherry key cap on the home row.