Basics of Touch-Typing

KeyBlaze Typing Tutor

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When not reaching for another key, your fingers and thumbs should rest on their home keys as in the figure below.

A - Left pinky
S - Left ring finger
D - Left middle finger
F - Left index finger
J - Right index finger
K - Right middle finger
L - Right ring finger
; - Right pinky
Space - Left and right thumbs

Your fingers should be curved and your hands should be floating slightly above the keyboard.

To type other keys, try to move only the required finger or fingers. Use the colored zones below as a guide to what keys each finger should push. Try not to lift your hands away from the keyboard as fingers that aren't being used should stay in contact with their home keys. The spacebar should be pressed by the thumb of the opposite hand used to type the last character of the current word.

Follow the lessons in order to familiarize yourself with the layout of the keyboard, a few keys at a time. Try to memorize the positions of the keys as they're introduced, and use the on-screen prompts to guide your fingers to them. Get into the habit of tapping the keys without looking at the keyboard or your fingers.

Once you can accurately tap the keys, start building up your speed. Remember that results are measured from both speed and accuracy though, so don't concentrate on one at the expense of the other.

Tips

  • Most keyboards have a small raised or indented dot on the F and J keys. Learn to use these to quickly locate the home keys without looking at the keyboard.
  • Stay relaxed, as tensing in the arms, wrists, or fingers can cause fatigue and slow you down.
  • Tap keys lightly, as excessive force can also cause fatigue and slow you down.

Basics of Touch-Typing© NCH Software
NCH Software