What the heck is a % keyboard designation?

[Bambino]

I'm referring to the numbers when people refer to a keyboard as being "75%" or "60%".  Is the whole keyboard scaled down to 75% size, like the keys are 75% as big as normal, or is this just referring to the size in relation to a full size keyboard (so, something like a tenkeyless would be 80% as big as a normal board, and a 75% or 60% compact board would be similarly smaller)?  Thanks.

[Bambino]

Really? That is pretty weird.  Why would they call it 75% instead of 71-key or something like that? Ugh, you are right to not try to do the math.

Thanks for the response. (Heads, it wasn't in your wiki when I searched for "75%"...)

[fohat.digs]

Cool !

So I can just start calling my 122-key terminal boards "117%s"?

Saves having to explain the difference between "122-key terminals" and "122-key terminal keyboards"


- the guy who loves the 117% Model F

[daniel0731ex]

80% -> Tenkeyless
75% -> Laptop style (dedicated navigation keys)
70% -> Apple Wireless
60% -> Happy Hacking

90% -> Navigation keys integrated to numpad