Ortholinear Keyboards: Grid-Based Layouts

For over a century, keyboards have used a staggered layout. The keys in each row are slightly offset from the one above it. This is a holdover from the mechanical linkages of typewriters, designed to prevent the arms from jamming into each other. It serves no real purpose on a modern electronic keyboard.

An ortholinear keyboard (or "ortho" for short) challenges this tradition by arranging the keys in a perfect vertical and horizontal grid. It's a bold departure from convention that offers some intriguing potential benefits.

Why a Grid? The Potential Benefits

The primary argument for an ortholinear layout is ergonomics and efficiency.

1. Reduced Finger Travel: On a staggered keyboard, your fingers have to move in unnatural diagonal directions to travel between rows. On an ortho board, the path is a straight line up or down. This can feel more intuitive and reduce the overall distance your fingers need to move.
2. Improved Muscle Memory: Because the keys are in a predictable grid, it can be easier to build consistent muscle memory. The key directly above Q is Tab, not somewhere in between Q and W. This can lead to higher accuracy for some users.
3. Ergonomic Thumb Keys: Many ortholinear designs, especially smaller ones like the Planck, put important keys like Space, Backspace, Enter, and layer-toggle keys directly under the thumbs. Your thumbs are your strongest and most flexible digits, and using them for more than just the spacebar is a huge ergonomic win.
4. Aesthetics: Many people are drawn to the clean, organized, and symmetrical look of a grid layout.

The Learning Curve

Switching to an ortholinear keyboard from a lifetime of staggered typing requires a period of adjustment. Your muscle memory will be completely thrown off at first. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get back up to your normal typing speed. However, many users who push through this learning phase report that they find it more comfortable and would never go back to a staggered layout.

Tips for a Smooth Transition

• Start part-time: Use the ortho board for low-stakes tasks first, then graduate to full-time typing.
• Practice routines: Short daily drills on home-row accuracy build confidence faster than speed tests.
• Consistent legends: Use clear legends or blanks intentionally—don’t mix profiles that shift alignment.
• Layer hints: Light up layer indicator colors if you use RGB; it helps your brain map functions.

Popular Ortholinear Keyboards

• Planck (40%): Designed by Jack Humbert, the Planck is arguably the most famous ortholinear keyboard. It's a tiny 40% board with 47-48 keys, arranged in a 12x4 grid. It relies heavily on layers but is beloved for its portability and efficiency once mastered.
• Preonic (50%): The Preonic is the Planck's slightly larger sibling. It adds a dedicated number row, bringing it to a 12x5 grid. This makes it much easier to transition to for users who aren't ready to give up their number row.
• ID75 / XD75 (60%): These are larger 15x5 grid keyboards that offer a 60% ortho experience. They provide more keys for custom mapping and can be less intimidating than a 40% board.

Layout Strategies and Layers

Ortholinear boards shine when paired with smart layers:

• Thumb clusters: Put Space, Backspace, Enter, and layer toggles under strong thumbs to reduce pinky strain.
• Symbols and numbers: On 40% boards like the Planck, dedicate a layer for numbers and common symbols close to home row.
• Navigation: Map arrows to IJKL or HJKL with a momentary layer key for efficient cursor control.
• Mod-taps: Combine frequently used modifiers (Ctrl, Alt) on home-row keys when held; keep taps as letters.

Accessories and Case Choices

• Plates: Aluminum brings a crisp feel; polycarbonate softens bottom-out and can be kinder on fingers during the adjustment period.
• Cases: Low-profile cases expose key switches and can reduce weight; hi-pro cases with a slight angle can aid comfort.
• Keycaps: Uniform profiles like DSA and XDA complement ortho grids; sculpted profiles can work but may feel inconsistent across straight columns.

Who Should Try Ortho?

If you enjoy deliberate, ergonomic tooling and don’t mind a short learning curve, ortho can be rewarding. Programmers, writers, and tinkerers often appreciate the logical grid and the efficiency gains from well-designed layers.

Is Ortholinear Right for You?

If you're curious about ergonomics, want to improve your typing habits, or are simply drawn to the unique look, an ortholinear keyboard might be a fantastic project. It represents a deliberate choice to use a tool designed for modern computers, not one beholden to the legacy of the typewriter.

But what if we could take ergonomics even further? Let's explore keyboards that are literally built to fit your hands in Ergonomic and Split Keyboards.