<< -- Keyboard Compare Applet -- HOME

This applet compares the standard Qwerty keyboard layout with the more efficient Dvorak layout. Type in or cut and paste some text and hit the calculate button. Get ready to be shocked at the difference!


Source Code

About the Dvorak Keyboard

The Dvorak keyboard is simply a better arrangement of the keys on the standard keyboard. Anybody can learn to type in the dvorak layout and all computers support it at no cost. Actually rearranging the keys on your keyboard is completely optional and unnecessary.

In addition to the advantages which the applet calculates, the Dvorak keyboard also can increase your typing speed, will simply feel better to your hands and will probably reduce repetitive stress injury / carpal tunnel syndrome.

I recommend Marcus Brooks' Introducing the Dvorak Keyboard for learning more about the Dvorak keyboard.

Sample texts

Most common words
Top 500 words

What the labels mean



 Distance The approximate distance in meters that it takes to type in the text. Normal typing keys are assumed to be 1.8cm square (including gap between keys). Distance is calculated with the following algorithm:
for each key pressed
if previous key pressed with same finger
add distance from previous key to this key
else
add distance from previous key back to the home row
add distance from home row to key
So for "look" the distance is l->l + l->o + o->o + o->l + k->k using qwerty. The distance it takes to actually depress a key is not included. The distance from the last key back to the home row is not included.


Same hand The percent of keys that use the same hand to type as the previous key did. The thumb and repeated keys are not counted toward same hand, but the percent is of the total keys. For example, in "cool" (qwerty) only the l counts toward same hand.


Same finger The percent of keys that use the same finger to type as the previous key did. The thumb and repeated keys are not counted toward same finger, but the percent is of the total keys.


Total keys shows the number of keys processed. Characters not appearing on the corresponding keyboard are not processed.


Finger This lists the percent of keys pressed with each finger (in order). Percents are of fingers only and do not include the thumb/spacebar.


Number row,
Top row,
Home row,
Bottom row		 The percent of key presses on the four rows (spacebar not included).

Bugs

Distance field only displays upto 1000 meters.
Some browsers limit the text length.