Tips › Touch typing: finger positions explained
Touch typing: finger positions explained
Touch typing means typing without looking, with every finger responsible for a fixed set of keys. Once the map is in muscle memory, speed comes naturally.
The home row
Place your left fingers on A S D F and your right fingers on J K L ;. Thumbs rest lightly on the space bar. The small bumps on F and J help you find the position without looking.
Who presses what
| Finger | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left pinky | 1 Q A Z, Shift, Tab, Caps |
| Left ring | 2 W S X |
| Left middle | 3 E D C |
| Left index | 4 5 R T F G V B |
| Right index | 6 7 Y U H J N M |
| Right middle | 8 I K , |
| Right ring | 9 O L . |
| Right pinky | 0 P ; / - = [ ] Enter, Shift |
| Thumbs | Space |
Return to home
After every reach, the finger returns to its home key. This keeps your hands oriented and prevents mistakes.
Shift key rule
Use the Shift on the opposite side of the key you are capitalising - left pinky for right-hand letters and vice versa.
How to practise
Follow the typing lessons in order. The on-screen keyboard colours every finger so you learn the map visually.