Mechanical Keyboard Layouts
Keyboards come in a variety of different layouts.
A layout is the way in which the keys are arranged on the board, and which keys are included or excluded on each particular keyboard. In the mechanical keyboard world, a number of specific layouts have become more or less standardized. These represent your most basic options for how you want your keyboard arranged. Which layout you pick depends on what you want to use your keyboard for, how much space you have, and your sense of style.
Layout Options
Full Size
The standard layout of any keyboard since the '80s. Has the central letters and modifiers like Enter, Shift, Alt, and Control along with number keys above it, a row of Function keys, arrow keys, a special cluster of functions called the navigation cluster, and a numberpad. A classic look, very functional, but not exactly space efficient.
Tenkey-less layout (TKL)
The tenkey-less layout (or TKL) is just like a full size, only with the numberpad cut out. Looks very clean, and is great for showing off the design of a nice plate or color scheme. A little less functional than a full-size, but not by much.
1800
Going just a bit smaller, the 1800-style has everything a full-size layout has, only heavily compressed, with most empty space on the board removed. The navigation cluster is usually cut out or placed above the numberpad.
96%
The 96% layout includes roughly 96% of everything you'd find in a standard keyboard in the smallest amount of space possible. To manage this, the right shift key is made smaller and some of the navigation cluster is typically cut out. Great for a user who wants a feature-rich keyboard but wants to conserve desk space at the same time.
75%
A 75% keyboard goes smaller by cutting out the number pad and the function cluster, compressing everything else together in a way similar to a 96%. These always look a little too tall to me, but they're great if you really like your function keys.
65%
Like a 75% but without the function row, usually cutting out the tilde key right next to the 1 in order to put an Esc key there instead. An accessible, functional, stylish layout for those who want to go small but want arrow keys. For layouts this small and smaller, keys not found on the standard layout are usually accessed via additional layers on the keyboard. Layers allow your keys to have multiple uses. These additional layers are typically programmable, and are accessed by holding down special keys, like the Fn key, on the keyboard.
60%
Like the 65%, but with no arrow keys. The right shift key is the standard size as a result. This is probably the most commonly seen layout in the custom mechanical keyboard scene, which means it's also the most flexible for people who want a keyboard with very specific aesthetics, and the most accessible for people who want the cheapest keyboard possible.
40%
The smallest you can go and still make a board useable, 40% keyboards take away the number row above the letters. With so much missing, these keyboards rely heavily on layers for efficient use. Often, these feature a split space bar, with one or both sides of that space bar being held down to access additional layers. But if you can beat the learning curve, these keyboards are tiny, portable, and stylish as heck.
Ergonomic
One big reason people turn to mechanical keyboards is that they can be helpful from an ergonomic perspective. To this end, a lot of custom layouts exist for the purpose of reducing hand and wrist strain. These layouts often move keys around to make them accessible without forcing your body to move in damaging ways. The image above is an Ergodox, a popular ergonomic keyboard design.
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