Whether you have an office job that requires numerous hours at the computer or like to do some online shopping, you’ve probably noticed that the “F” and “J” keys on your keyboard are raised. Well, not raised in the traditional sense, but they have small ridges to give them some added definition.
This isn’t a random choice by computer and tech companies; it actually serves a purpose for users as they type. Perhaps you’ve learned why this is in a computer class in elementary school, but it has now slipped your memory. Here’s everything you need to know about this small yet important detail on your keyboard.
Why Are the F and J Keys Raised?
Known as “homing bars” or “homing bumps,” the small bumps on the “F” and “J” keys are designed to help you position your hands on the appropriate keys without having to look. This is a foundational principle of “touch typing” (typing with muscle memory), which allows you to find the remaining keys once your hands are on the home row. In other words, they give your hands a home base on which to start and come back to as you type.
Who Came Up with the Bumps on the Keyboard?
These key bumps were conceived by August Dvorak, creator of the alternative Dvorak keyboard layout, to help hands anchor back to the row of the keyboard with the most frequently used letters. It is easiest to think of them as both a physical and mental cue for those who type often.
The fingertips are packed with nerve endings that detect textures, so when your index fingers come into contact with the ridges, they trigger what is known as tactile feedback. This is a neural shortcut in which your brain instantly maps the keyboard layout, making it easier to type without having to look up each key manually.
Now that you know why the “F” and “J” keys are raised, you won’t be able to envision a keyboard without these little humps.
