UK and US Keyboard Layouts: A Quick Comparison

Nowadays, the keyboard we use follows the QWERTY layout designed by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1874. QWERTY layout increases typing speed and reduces the failure rate of early mechanical typewriters. With time passing by, many other keyboard layouts have risen to meet the different needs of different users from different regions. In English-speaking countries, keyboards are mainly divided into two styles: the US keyboard and the UK keyboard.

What are the US keyboard and the UK keyboard?

When we talk about uk keyboards and us keyboards, we often talk about iso layout and ansi layout.

The US keyboard is the ANSI layout, which meets the American National Standards. The US keyboard features a rectangular Enter key and a longer left Shift key. Many multinational software and hardware items utilize this layout by default, and it is extensively used in many different areas.

And the UK keyboard is the ISO layout, which meets the International Organization for Standardization. Ireland and the United Kingdom are the two main countries that utilize the UK keyboard. It has extra keys such as the £ sign for the British pound, a shorter left Shift key, and a larger, L-shaped Enter key.

What is the difference between a UK keyboard and a US keyboard?

1. Layout

The UK keyboard is the ISO layout keyboard, and the US keyboard is the ANSI layout keyboard.

2. Enter Key

The Enter key is the most obvious difference between the US and UK keyboards. For the UK keyboard, there is an upside-down L-shape Enter key that occupies two rows. And for the US keyboard, there is a horizon Enter key.

3. The Backslash key

You can find the Backslash key at the left of the Z key on the UK keyboard; for the US keyboard, the Backslash key is above the Enter key.

4. The left Shift key

Because the Backslash key is between the left Shift key and Z key on the UK keyboard, the left Shift key is slightly shorter. On the US keyboard, the left Shift key is longer.

5. Right Alt key

For the UK keyboard, the right Alt key is the Alt Gr key; it supports access to additional characters and symbols that are used in the United Kingdom. For US keyboards, the right Alt key is the same as the left Alt key.

6. Number Sign (#)

You can easily type # for the UK keyboard; "#" and "~" keys are at the left of the Enter key. However, you have to type Shift + 3 to get #.

7. Pound (£) Symbols

£ symbol is commonly used in the UK and Ireland, on the UK keyboard, the £ symbol is located above the number 3 key. You can type Shift +3 keys to get the Pound (£) Symbols. However, on the US keyboard, if you type Shift+3, you will get the $ symbols.

8. @ Symbols

For the UK keyboard, you can get @ symbols by Shift + '. The @ symbol is accessed using Shift + 2, and the “ symbol is accessed using Shift + '.

US Keyboard: The @ symbol is accessed using Shift + ' and the “ symbol is accessed using Shift +

9. “ Characters

On the UK keyboard, you can get t he “ symbol by using Shift + 2 key, and for the US keyboard, you can get the “ symbol is accessed using Shift + ' key. 

10. ¬ symbol/ ~ symbol

You can find there are not same for the key left on the 1 key. On the UK keyboard, the ¬ symbol is next to the 1 key; on the US keyboard, the ~ symbol is next to 1 key.

How do I change keyboard from us to uk?

If you have the needs to transfer your US keyboard to the UK keyboard, it is easy to achieve by adjusting the setting. Here is the step-by-step instruction for the Windows operating system.

1. Firstly, enter the settings. You can press Win+I to easily open the Settings.
2. Then, go to Time & Languageby clicking on “Time & Language"—"Language."”
3. Under the "Preferred languages" section, click on "Add a language.". And then you can search for "English (United Kingdom)" and click "Next."
4. After adding the language, click on "Options" next to "English (United Kingdom), under "Keyboards," click on "Add a keyboard" and select "United Kingdom.".

Conclusion

The UK keyboard and US keyboard are all derived from the QWERTY layout, to meet the needs of different regions, there are some changes for them. The different layouts have their pros and cons, from the UK keyboard’s easy access to local currency symbols to the US layout’s widespread use and simplicity.No matter which keyboard layout we choose, finding a keyboard that suits our habits and preferences is the key to improving typing efficiency and experience.

FAQ

What is the main difference between UK and US keyboard layouts?

The Enter key is the most obvious key that you can find for the UK and US keyboards. The UK keyboard is the turn-down L-shaped Enter Key, the US keyboard is the wide horizontal Enter Key. Besides, placement of certain symbols is different, like the £ symbol in the UK layout and the # symbol in the US layout.

Can I switch my keyboard layout from US to UK on any computer?

Yes, you can switch between US and UK keyboards by setting the language for most operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. And in the article above, we have listed the steps for the Windows system to switch the keyboard layout from US to UK layout.

Will switching my keyboard layout affect my typing speed?

If you have an unconventional layout and switch to a less commonly used layout, your typing speed may be affected. Don’t worry. It is not a question; with some practice, you will adapt quickly.

How do I type the Euro (€) symbol on a US keyboard?

For the US keyboard, there isn’t a dedicated key for the Euro (€) symbol; you can type it by using a special key combination such as Alt + 0128, and you can also add the symbol by software setting.

Which keyboard layout is better for programming?

For programming, the US keyboard layout is often preferred.  Because the symbols like @, #, and \ are frequently used in coding, the US keyboard can get these symbols more easily than the UK keyboard.