How much space you need on your desk and how many buttons you need determine which 60 vs 65 keyboard you need. Others prefer the small 60 because it's clean and out of the way. Others just can't bear living without the arrow keys and go with the 65 version instead. Neither is bad for gaming or working, but when you start typing, they both feel very different. Find out which size fits you best.
What Are 60% and 65% Keyboards?
Look at a standard office keyboard; it has about 104 keys. It has a number pad, some "F" keys up top, and a bunch of arrow keys. A 60% keyboard cuts out almost half of those buttons. This leaves you with only the main typing area, letters, numbers, and the spacebar. It is small, square, and popular with someone who needs more room to move the mouse.
A 65% keyboard would be slightly bigger but still very compact. It retains the great majority of letters as the above 60% board does; however, a small column is added on the right. This extra space houses the arrow keys and some navigation buttons (Delete, Page Up). Built for people who want a small desk setup but still want dedicated arrow keys or handy shortcuts.
Key Differences Between 60% and 65% Keyboards
While they might appear basically the same on the exterior, the slight difference in size is able to affect the way you use them.
Size and Desk Footprint
A 60% keyboard is best for space saving. It is about 11 inches long. As there are no more buttons on the right side, your mouse has an enormous "field of play" to move around on.
A 65% keyboard adds about an inch to the width. It is still tiny, but on a compact desk, every centimeter counts, in a 60 vs 65 keyboard, 60 is the smartest and sleekest designed keyboard that is perfect for limited office spaces.
Functionality and Key Availability
That's the biggest technical difference in a 60 vs 65 keyboard. On a 60% board, you have no dedicated arrow keys! Moving the cursor requires holding down the "Function" (Fn) key and tapping other letters like I, J, K, and L. On a 65% keyboard, it usually has 67 or 68 keys total, a few extra arrow and function buttons.
Typing Experience and Ergonomics
Typing on both feels the same because the main key cluster is unchanged. However, their ergonomics differ slightly.
The 65% layout reduces the need for frequent key combinations. For users who often edit text or navigate spreadsheets, this layout reduces finger strain. So, it can improve overall comfort.
A 60% keyboard, being smaller, keeps your hands closer together and reduces how far you have to reach for keys. This can be easier on the wrists and shoulders during long typing sessions.
|
Feature |
60% Keyboard |
65% Keyboard |
|
Typical Width |
11.5 inches (290mm) |
12.5 inches (315mm) |
|
Total Keys |
61 Keys (Standard) |
67-68 Keys |
|
Physical Arrows |
Missing (Uses FN Layer) |
Included (Bottom Right) |
|
Mounting Style |
Often Tray Mount |
Often, the Gasket or Top Mount |
|
Keycap Choice |
Standard (Easy to find) |
Specific (Need short Shift key) |
|
Primary Use |
High-FPS Gaming |
General Work & Coding |
If you’re leaning 65% but want a bit more function keys without going full-size, this 65 vs 75 keyboard layouts guide is a helpful next step.
Customization and Modding: Which Layout Wins?
When building or changing a keyboard, choose a keyboard whose size and parts are easily interchangeable. Both are popular, but the one in the 60 vs 65 keyboard is simpler to work with.
Keycap and Switch Compatibility
It's the 60% layout that rules modding! Nearly every custom keycap set fits these boards because they use standard sizes. You can buy just about any kit, and it will work like magic.
The 65% boards are harder. Designers squeeze in arrow keys by using a short “right shift” key and different heights for side buttons. You might not get these keys in a standard keycap set if you buy one. You have to find "expanded" kits that include these smaller, nonstandard caps.
Remapping and Functionality
Because the 60% board has fewer physical buttons, you need software like VIA or QMK to make "layers." By holding a shortcut, you can change regular letters to arrow keys. This is a technically complicated process that should be learned and mastered.
Still lets you change what keys do, but a 65% board is less of a headache. Arrows and delete keys are physical buttons, so you don't need to program "hidden" commands to navigate a document.
Which Layout Is Better for Your Use Case?
It really depends on what fits your everyday life, not which of these two is "better" in general.
Typing and Productivity
The 65% keyboard is better for work. Dedicated arrow keys highlight text or move through lines of code without holding down extra buttons. It feels much more like a "normal" keyboard, so you won't feel lost while finishing a report.
Gaming Performance
While the 60% layout is compact, the 65% keyboard offers a better balance of size and functionality for gamers. With dedicated arrow keys and a few extra buttons, it allows quicker access to important in-game commands without needing complex key combinations.
If you want the very fastest tech in a tiny package, the MelGeek MADE68 Pro+ is all you need to win the race! This keyboard has an electric light bar and 5 layers of sound dampening. It gives the speed and comfort level that is perfect for gamers.
It uses “Magnetic Hall Effect switches” instead of regular ones. It polls at 8000Hz, that's 8,000 times per second, for zero lag play! You can even set the “Rapid Trigger” sensitivity to 0.01mm! This means the key resets every time you lift your finger, giving you a real edge in CS:GO, Valorant, and Fortnite, where every millisecond matters. It's kind of like a superpower for fast-paced games where milliseconds count.
Ergonomics and Comfort
A benefit to these small boards, which 60% keyboard many of you don't realize, is "shoulder alignment." They are almost the same size (60% and 65%), so the arm angle size is not that much different. They both are comfortable with your arms and wrists. That keeps your shoulders square and avoids that "tugging" sensation on your upper back from sitting for that whole day. It may sound like a small thing, but if you use your PC for a long time in a day, you need to consider the comfort factor.
Final Words
When considering the 60 vs 65 keyboard option, it all depends on your daily life routine and comfort choices. If you want a clean desk and room to flick your mouse, the 60% is a classic. But if your work involves writing, coding, or any task that benefits from dedicated arrow and function keys, those extra keys on that 65% model will save a lot of your time. Both are great; pick the one that fits your working style and demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are 65% keyboards so popular?
They are the keyboard equivalent of "Goldilocks." They are a bit large in size, but the comfort they provide you while working with the extra arrow keys is a bonus.
2. Is a 65% keyboard worth it?
Definitely yes, especially if you frequently use arrow keys to navigate text or menus. You get a small, portable board without having to memorize "hidden key layers." For most buyers, it's the best compromise between size and help.
3. Do 60% and 65% keyboards work well with both Windows and macOS?
Yes. Most of the 60% and 65% keyboards work well with Windows and macOS. Modern boards include a small switch or shortcut to swap between them. They have fewer keys; just know which buttons are "Command" and "Option" on a Mac.
4. What is the best way to adapt to a 60% keyboard if I’m used to a full-size layout?
Try pressing Fn. You have to teach your brain to hold that button until you find your arrows and F-keys. After about a week of typing, your fingers will stop looking for buttons that are gone.
5. Are 65% keyboards more customizable than 60% keyboards?
Actually, it's the other way round. 60% boards are easier to customize because the parts are standard size. Some 65% boards require special, shorter keys for the right-hand side, and you have to be more careful when buying new parts.