Touch Typing Glossary — 50 Terms Every Typist Should Know

The complete touch typing glossary — 50 essential terms covering technique, hardware, layouts, and metrics. Bookmark this page as your reference.

Technique terms

Touch typing

10-finger method, eyes on screen (not keyboard), each finger has assigned keys.

Hunt-and-peck

Using 2-4 fingers, looking at keyboard constantly. Opposite of touch typing.

Home row

ASDF JKL; on QWERTY. The "rest position" for touch typing.

F/J bumps

Tactile markers on F and J keys helping fingers locate home row without looking.

Finger assignment

Each finger has specific keys (e.g., index fingers handle RT, YU; pinkies handle outermost keys).

Reach

Movement of fingers from home row to other rows.

Burst speed

Maximum WPM in short tests (10-30 sec).

Sustained speed

WPM maintained over long periods (5+ min).

Speed metrics

WPM (Words Per Minute)

Most common typing speed metric. Word = 5 characters.

Raw WPM

Total speed without accuracy adjustment.

Net WPM

Speed adjusted for errors. Each error penalized ~5 characters.

CPM (Characters Per Minute)

Speed in characters. WPM × 5.

KPM (Keystrokes Per Minute)

Speed in raw keystrokes (each key press).

KPH (Keystrokes Per Hour)

Common in data entry. 8000 KPH = ~27 WPM.

Accuracy

Percentage of correct keystrokes. 95%+ = good.

Layout terms

QWERTY

Default Western keyboard layout. Named after first 6 letters.

QWERTZ

Central European layout (German, Hungarian, etc.). Z and Y swapped from QWERTY.

AZERTY

French/Belgian layout. A/Q and W/Z swapped from QWERTY.

Dvorak

Alternative layout from 1936. Common letters on home row.

Colemak

Modern alternative layout (2006). Only 17 keys differ from QWERTY.

Workman

Ergonomic layout (2010). Less pinky use.

ЙЦУКЕН (JCUKEN)

Russian Cyrillic layout. Named after first 6 letters.

БДС (BDS)

Bulgarian Cyrillic layout. Unique non-JCUKEN design.

Dead key

Key that doesn't print but modifies next key (e.g., ´ + e = é).

AltGr (Right Alt)

Modifier for accessing alternate characters (common in European layouts).

Layer

Software-defined alternate keymap activated by holding/tapping modifier.

Hardware terms

Mechanical keyboard

Each key has its own switch mechanism. Tactile, durable.

Membrane keyboard

Rubber dome under each key. Cheaper, quieter, less tactile.

Cherry MX

Most common mechanical switch brand. Color-coded (Brown, Red, Blue, etc.).

Tactile switch

Has bump at activation point (you feel when key registers).

Linear switch

Smooth all the way down, no bump.

Clicky switch

Bump + audible click.

Topre

Premium capacitive electrostatic switch. Soft tactile feel.

Buckling spring

IBM Model M switch mechanism. Loud, tactile, durable.

Keycap

The plastic top of each key.

Keycap profile

Shape and height of keycap (OEM, Cherry, DSA, XDA, etc.).

Ortholinear

Keys arranged in straight columns vs staggered rows.

Split keyboard

Two physical halves (Kinesis Advantage, Moonlander, etc.).

NKRO (N-Key Rollover)

Ability to press multiple keys simultaneously without ghosting.

Customization terms

QMK

Open-source keyboard firmware. Highly customizable.

VIA

Graphical configurator for QMK keyboards.

Home row mods

Modifiers (Ctrl, Shift) on home row keys via tap-hold behavior.

Tap dance

Different action on single vs double tap vs hold.

Macro

Custom key sequence triggered by single keypress or combo.

Hot-swap

Ability to change switches without soldering.

Methodology terms

Muscle memory

Automatic finger movement learned through repetition.

Spaced repetition

Practicing weak areas at intervals for retention.

Plateau

Period of no speed improvement despite practice.

Deliberate practice

Focused training on specific weaknesses, not just general typing.

Warm-up

Pre-session stretches and slow drills.

Cool-down

Post-session stretches.

Adaptive practice

Tutor that focuses on YOUR weak letters (e.g., Keybr).

Health/ergonomic terms

RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)

General term for typing-related injuries.

CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)

Median nerve compression in wrist. Numbness, tingling, weakness.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of tendons from overuse.

Ergonomics

Workspace design to minimize physical strain.

Negative tilt

Keyboard angled with back edge LOWER than front (counterintuitive but ergonomic).

Pronation

Palm-down hand twist (uncomfortable long-term).

Neutral wrist

Wrist straight, not bent up or down (correct position).

Specialized terms

Stenotype

Chord-based machine for 200-300+ WPM (court reporting).

CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation)

Live captioning service for accessibility.

One-handed Dvorak

Dvorak variant for single-hand typing.

Sticky keys

Accessibility feature making modifiers toggle (no need to hold).

IME (Input Method Editor)

Software for typing CJK and complex scripts.

LSFT / LCTL / LGUI

QMK abbreviations for left Shift, Control, GUI/Cmd.

Mod-tap (MT)

QMK function: tap = letter, hold = modifier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which terms are essential?

WPM, home row, touch typing, accuracy. Beyond these: specialized.

What's NKRO needed for?

Gaming and chord-heavy typing (Vim modal commands).

Should I learn QMK terms?

Only if customizing keyboards. Most users skip.

What's "rollover"?

Ability to register multiple keys pressed simultaneously.

Why so many switch types?

Personal preference and use case (typing, gaming, office, etc.).

Difference between WPM and CPM?

CPM × 5 (chars per word) = WPM. CPM more granular.

Master the terminology

Touch typing has its own vocabulary. Now you speak it. Typing Hero App — practice the craft.

For more: What is touch typing, The 10-finger method explained, Best keyboard for touch typing.