# ortholinear keyboard

> keyboard with most or all keys positioned in rectangular grid layout

**Wikidata**: [Q133927547](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133927547)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ortholinear-keyboard

## Summary
An ortholinear keyboard is a keyboard with most or all keys positioned in a rectangular grid layout, rather than the staggered arrangement found on conventional keyboards. This design is intended to improve ergonomics by allowing users to keep their fingers in a more natural position while typing.

## Key Facts
- Ortholinear keyboards are a type of keyboard form factor
- They are classified as both computer keyboards and ergonomic keyboards, though the ergonomic classification is disputed
- Ortholinear keyboards feature a rectangular grid layout of keys, rather than the staggered layout of conventional keyboards
- They have the characteristic of "ortholinear key layout"
- The OLKB Planck is an example of an ortholinear keyboard model
- One alias for ortholinear keyboard is "オーソリニア" (Japanese)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main difference between an ortholinear keyboard and a conventional keyboard?
A: The main difference is the arrangement of keys. Ortholinear keyboards position keys in a straight rectangular grid, while conventional keyboards use a staggered layout where adjacent rows are offset.

### Q: Are ortholinear keyboards more ergonomic than conventional keyboards?
A: Ortholinear keyboards are designed with ergonomics in mind, positioning keys to allow a more natural finger movement. However, this claim is disputed in the keyboard community, as some users find the rectangular layout less comfortable.

### Q: Who might benefit from using an ortholinear keyboard?
A: People who experience wrist or finger fatigue when typing on conventional keyboards might benefit from the different layout. However, there is no definitive research confirming this benefit for all users.

### Q: Are ortholinear keyboards suitable for touch typing?
A: Ortholinear keyboards can be used for touch typing, though it requires retraining finger memory since the key positions differ from conventional keyboards with their staggered arrangement.

## Why It Matters
Ortholinear keyboards represent an alternative approach to keyboard design that challenges the conventional staggered layout that has been standard for decades. They address the ongoing concerns about ergonomic comfort in computer use by potentially reducing finger and wrist strain. While the ergonomics benefits are debated, ortholinear keyboards demonstrate how keyboard design continues to evolve in response to user needs and alternative input philosophies. They also highlight the diversity of mechanical keyboard customization, catering to users seeking different typing experiences beyond the standard layout.

## Notable For
- Featuring a rectangular grid layout instead of the conventional staggered arrangement
- Being classified as an ergonomic keyboard (though this classification is disputed)
- Promoting a more uniform finger movement pattern during typing
- Representing a significant departure from the standard keyboard layout that has dominated keyboard design for decades
- Exemplifying the growing trend of keyboard customization and alternative form factors

## Body
### Design Principles
Ortholinear keyboards arrange keys in a straight rectangular grid pattern, with each row aligned directly above or below the previous one. This contrasts with conventional keyboards where rows of keys are staggered to accommodate the natural curve of human fingers.

### Ergonomic Claims
Proponents of ortholinear keyboards claim that the uniform layout allows for more consistent finger movements and reduced finger extension, potentially alleviating strain during extended typing sessions. However, these ergonomic claims are disputed in the keyboard community.

### Relationship to Traditional Keyboards
Ortholinear keyboards are a subclass of computer keyboards, but they represent a distinct form factor. They differ from traditional keyboards not only in key arrangement but also in the philosophy behind their design, which prioritizes uniformity over the staggered layout intended for touch typing.

### Examples and Availability
The OLKB Planck is an example of an ortholinear keyboard model. These keyboards are part of a niche market within the mechanical keyboard community, catering to users seeking alternative typing experiences.