Keyboard Layouts
The arrangement of keys on your keyboard affects how you type. Most people use QWERTY, but alternatives like Dvorak and Colemak are designed for speed or comfort. Here’s a short overview of common layouts.
Common layouts
- QWERTYThe most common layout worldwide. Named after the first six letters on the top row. Designed in the 1870s for typewriters to reduce jamming; still the default on almost all keyboards. TypingMonk tests use standard English text, so QWERTY is the default assumption, but you can practice with any physical layout.
- DvorakDesigned for efficiency and comfort. Puts the most used letters on the home row and aims to reduce finger travel. Popular among some fast typists and ergonomics enthusiasts. Requires learning a new key arrangement; many operating systems support switching to Dvorak in settings.
- ColemakA modern alternative that keeps many keys in QWERTY positions to make switching easier. Optimized for common English letter frequency and reduced strain. Often chosen by people who want an alternative layout without as big a learning curve as Dvorak.
- Other layoutsMany other layouts exist (e.g. Workman, AZERTY for French, QWERTZ for German). TypingMonk does not restrict you to one layout—you type on whatever keyboard layout your system uses. Your WPM and accuracy reflect your real typing on that layout.
Using TypingMonk with any layout
TypingMonk does not detect or enforce a specific keyboard layout. Whatever layout your computer is set to (QWERTY, Dvorak, Colemak, etc.) is what you type with. The test shows you the same English text; you produce that text using your chosen layout. Your WPM and accuracy reflect your performance on that layout.