Keyboard Layout, Stagger, Ortholinear, Alice

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

What is Stagger Layout

This is the normal, classic, standard keyboard layout.

For example, the IBM Model M keyboard.

Stagger refers to the way the columns are not aligned vertically, but in a somewhat seemingly irregular way.

The stagger arrangement came from design constraints of mechanical Typewriters . It needs room for the bars under every key.

Ortholinear Layout (Aka Grid Layout, Matrix Layout)

Ortholinear Layout means the keys are layed out like a rectangular grid. (Ortholinear is short for orthogonal and linear.)

they became popular around 2017, in the DIY community.

symmetric inward stagger keyboards

the only good for stagger, is if they are symmetric.

Alice Layout

Microsoft Gradually Reduce Keyboard Stagger

Which is Better for Ergonomics

from best to worst:

Keyboard Ergonomics