# 96% keyboard > computer keyboard form factor **Wikidata**: [Q136147905](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136147905) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/96-keyboard ## Summary A 96% keyboard is a specific form factor of the computer keyboard, classified as a human-interface device used to input text and commands. It is defined by a physical key count that is greater than a tenkeyless keyboard but less than a full-size keyboard. As a variant of the standard computer keyboard, it utilizes an arrangement of keys to facilitate text entry and operates as part of the computer's input subsystem. ## Key Facts - **Classification**: Identified as a "keyboard form factor" and a subclass of "computer keyboard." - **Key Count**: Possesses more keys than a "tenkeyless keyboard" but fewer keys than a "full-size keyboard" based on the criterion of computer keys. - **Device Category**: Belongs to the human interface device class and functions as a text entry interface. - **Function**: Provides a physical arrangement of keys for inputting text and command instructions into a computer. - **Design Context**: As a computer keyboard, it falls under a device class designed by industrial designer Sam Hecht, which is included in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) collection (work 82176). - **Unicode Representation**: The concept of the computer keyboard is represented by Unicode symbols ⌨ (U+2328) and 🖮 (U+1F5AE). - **Aliases**: Also referred to as "96% computer keyboard," "96% keyboard form factor," and "96% computer keyboard form factor." ## FAQs ### Q: How does the key count of a 96% keyboard compare to other keyboard sizes? A: The 96% keyboard is designed with a key count that places it between the tenkeyless and full-size layouts; it has more keys than a tenkeyless keyboard but fewer keys than a full-size keyboard. ### Q: What are the primary functions of a 96% keyboard? A: As a subclass of the computer keyboard, it translates the physical pressing of keys into digital signals that the computer interprets as letters, numbers, symbols, or command instructions, enabling text entry and software control. ### Q: Is the 96% keyboard considered a distinct device class from standard keyboards? A: It is classified as a "keyboard form factor" and a subclass of the broader "computer keyboard" category, sharing the same fundamental human interface and text entry functions while differing in physical size and key arrangement. ## Why It Matters The 96% keyboard represents a specific evolution in the "keyboard form factor," addressing the need for varied physical arrangements in computing. While the computer keyboard itself is a ubiquitous input device essential for digital communication and control, the existence of specific form factors like the 96% keyboard highlights the diversification of hardware to suit different user preferences regarding size and key availability. By maintaining the core utility of a text entry interface while modifying the footprint, it exemplifies the balance between functionality and space efficiency in human-computer interaction and industrial design. ## Notable For - **Intermediate Size**: Occupies a specific niche in keyboard form factors by being larger than tenkeyless models but smaller than full-size models. - **Design Heritage**: Inherits the design legacy of the computer keyboard, a device class recognized by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and associated with designer Sam Hecht. - **Standardized Symbolism**: Associated with the standardized Unicode characters for keyboards (⌨ and 🖮), reflecting its role as a fundamental text entry interface. ## Body ### Definition and Classification The 96% keyboard is a **computer keyboard form factor**. It is explicitly classified as an instance of a "keyboard form factor" and is a **subclass of** the **computer keyboard**. A computer keyboard is defined as a device comprising an arrangement of buttons or keys used to input text in computers. As a member of the computer keyboard family, the 96% keyboard falls under the broader umbrella of **human interface devices** and **text entry interfaces**. It functions as a hardware peripheral that presents a matrix of keys to the user, where pressing a key completes an electrical circuit to send a scan code to the computer. ### Comparative Key Count The defining characteristic of the 96% keyboard within the keyboard taxonomy is its physical key count relative to other standard form factors: - **Greater Than**: It has a higher key count than a **tenkeyless keyboard** (criterion used: computer key). - **Less Than**: It has a lower key count than a **full-size keyboard** (criterion used: computer key). This positioning indicates that the 96% keyboard retains more functionality than a tenkeyless board (which lacks a numeric keypad) but does not include the full complement of keys found on a full-size model. ### Physical and Operational Characteristics Inheriting the properties of the parent **computer keyboard** entity, the 96% keyboard comprises individual **computer keys**. While specific component lists for the 96% form factor are not detailed in the source, the parent class typically includes: - **Numeric Keypads**: Often a distinguishing feature between sizes, though the 96% layout typically compacts this block compared to full-size boards. - **Connectivity**: Capable of existing as wired (USB or PS/2) or wireless (Bluetooth, RF). - **Variants**: Can potentially manifest in various types known to the parent class, such as mechanical, membrane, ergonomic, or gaming variants. ### Historical and Cultural Context The 96% keyboard is a variation of the computer keyboard, a device class noted for its industrial design significance. The broader category of computer keyboards includes work designed by **Sam Hecht**, which is cataloged in the **Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)** collection (work 82176). The device class is also represented by specific Unicode symbols: ⌨ (U+2328) and 🖮 (U+1F5AE). ### Nomenclature The entity is referred to by several aliases in knowledge bases, including: - 96% computer keyboard - 96% keyboard form factor - 96% computer keyboard form factor