Nowadays, we use the QWERTY keyboard layout , which was designed by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1874. The QWERTY layout increases typing speed and reduces the failure rate of the early mechanical typewriters. Over time, many other keyboard layouts have emerged to meet the different needs of users from different regions. In English-speaking countries, keyboards are mainly divided into two types: the US keyboard and the UK keyboard.
What are the US keyboard and the UK keyboard
When we talk about UK and US keyboards, we often mean the ISO and ANSI layout.
The US keyboard follows the ANSI layout, which corresponds to the American national standards. This keyboard has a rectangular Enter key and a longer left Shift key. Many international software and hardware products use this layout by default, and it is widely used in many different fields.
The UK keyboard follows the ISO layout , which conforms to the standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Ireland and the United Kingdom are the two main countries that use the UK keyboard. It has additional keys such as the £ sign for the British pound, a shorter left Shift key and a larger, L-shaped Enter key.
What is the difference between a UK keyboard and a US keyboard?
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layout
The UK keyboard is the ISO layout keyboard while the US keyboard uses the ANSI layout. -
Enter key
The Enter key is the most obvious difference between the US and UK keyboards. On the UK keyboard, the Enter key is an inverted L-shape that takes up two rows. On the US keyboard, it is a horizontal Enter key. -
backslash key
The backslash key is located to the left of the Z key on the UK keyboard; on the US keyboard it is above the Enter key. -
Left Shift key
Because the backslash key is between the left shift key and the Z key on the UK keyboard, the left shift key is slightly shorter. On the US keyboard, the left shift key is longer. -
Right Alt key
On the UK keyboard, the right Alt key is the Alt Gr key, which provides access to additional characters and symbols used in the UK. On US keyboards, the right Alt key is the same as the left Alt key. -
number sign (#)
On the UK keyboard, the # sign can be entered easily; the "#" and "~" keys are located to the left of the Enter key. On the US keyboard, you have to press Shift + 3 to get the # sign. -
pound (£) sign
The £ sign is commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. On the UK keyboard, the £ sign is above the number 3. You can type it by pressing Shift + 3. On the US keyboard, you can get the $ symbol by pressing Shift + 3. -
@ Sign
On the UK keyboard, the @ sign can be entered using Shift + '. The @ symbol is accessed using Shift + 2, while the “ sign is entered using Shift + '.US keyboard: The @ symbol is entered with Shift + ' and the “ sign is entered with Shift +
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" Sign
On the UK keyboard, you can enter the “ character using Shift + 2, while on the US keyboard, you can enter the “ character using Shift + '. -
¬-sign / ~-sign
There are differences to the left of the 1 key. On the UK keyboard, the ¬ sign is next to the 1 key, while on the US keyboard, the ~ sign is next to the 1 key.
How do I change the keyboard from US to UK?
If you want to change your US keyboard to a UK keyboard, you can easily do this by adjusting the settings. Here are the step-by-step instructions for the Windows operating system:
- First, open Settings. You can press Win+I to open Settings easily.
- Go to Time & Language by clicking Time & Language – Language.
- Under the Preferred languages section, click Add a language. Find English (United Kingdom) and click Next.
- After adding the language, click Options next to English (United Kingdom), and under Keyboards, click Add Keyboard and select United Kingdom.
Conclusion
The UK keyboard and the US keyboard are both based on the QWERTY layout. To meet the needs of different regions, some changes have been made. The different layouts have their advantages and disadvantages, from the easy access to local currency symbols on the UK keyboard to the widespread use and simplicity of the US keyboard. Regardless of which keyboard layout we choose, it is important to find a keyboard that suits our habits and preferences to improve typing efficiency and experience.
FAQ
What is the main difference between UK and US keyboard layouts?
The Enter key is the most noticeable difference between the UK and US keyboards. The UK keyboard has an inverted L-shaped Enter key, while the US keyboard has a wide, horizontal Enter key. In addition, the placement of certain symbols is different, such as the £ sign in the UK layout and the # sign in the US layout.
Can I switch my keyboard layout from US to UK on any computer?
Yes, you can switch between US and UK keyboards by adjusting the language settings for most operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux. In the above article, we have listed the steps to switch keyboard layout from US to UK for Windows system.
Will switching keyboard layouts affect my typing speed?
If you use an unconventional layout and switch to a less common layout, your typing speed may be affected. Don't worry, it's not a big deal; with a little practice, you'll quickly adapt.
How do I type the Euro (€) sign on a US keyboard?
There is no special key for the Euro (€) sign on the US keyboard; you can type it by using a special key combination like Alt + 0128, and you can also add the sign through software settings.
Which keyboard layout is better for programming?
The US keyboard layout is often preferred for programming because symbols such as @, # and \ are frequently used in code. The US layout allows easier access to these symbols than the UK layout.
