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How to Switch to a Dvorak Keyboard Layout The Dvorak keyboard layout, designed for speed and efficiency by Dr. August Dvorak in the 1930s, can increase typing speed and decrease finger fatigue. It places all the vowels in the left hand of the home row and the most commonly used consonants in the right hand of the home row. Because the frequently-used letters are right there underneath your fingertips and the next most common are directly above, typing involves much less reaching. In this sample paragraph, 70% of the letters are on the home row in Dvorak, with 15% top and 15% bottom. In QWERTY 30% are on the home row. Beware, it takes a little getting used to, especially if you're transitioning from a standard QWERTY keyboard.

Steps

1. Decide whether the Dvorak keyboard is the right choice for you. Take the time to learn about its advantages and disadvantages:
   • The standard QWERTY keyboard layout was designed to prevent typewriter jams (which is no longer necessary with computers), whereas the Dvorak layout was designed specifically to be easy on the hands.
   • Using a Dvorak keyboard may reduce the likelihood of carpal-tunnel syndrome.
   • If you share your computer with others or if you frequently switch computers, the changed layout will be confusing. However, on Windows XP, for example, each account can be set to a different typing layout--so use your own account with Dvorak if you can so you don't confuse the other(s).
   • If you already change your keyboard to type in other languages, having an additional layout in the mix will be confusing.
   • Dvorak allows for higher speeds and accuracy than can be achieved on a QWERTY keyboard, but the ultimate gain in speed must outweigh the temporary sacrifice in speed during the transition.
2. Switch your computer from QWERTY to ANSI Dvorak. This is quite easy to do in most operating systems. Refer to the external links at the end of this article for details catered to your specific operating system.
3. Consider relabeling the keys on your keyboard or buying a Dvorak keyboard. This may be helpful when you're learning, but it's preferable simply to get used to not looking at your hands when you type. You will be able to type on any keyboard with a changed layout, and you will type faster if you never look at your hands.
4. Learn where to put your fingers to touch-type. If you already know how to touch-type on a QWERTY, the same fingers operate the same keys. The keys just produce different letters. The home row is:

   Dvorak: AOEU - ID - HTNS

   QWERTY: ASDF - GH - JKL;

5. Download free typing software that teaches Dvorak, or take online lessons. Whereas there is a wide array of software support for QWERTY, there are only a few good Dvorak programs, (some are listed in the External Links section). Make sure you go through lessons at a reasonable pace. Although the lessons may be easy, do them multiple times to ensure you have mastered everything they offer.
6. Practice, practice, practice! Try to use Dvorak as much as possible, even if you hate the initial speed reduction and confusion. Practice will make you more familiar with the keyboard layout. Practicing for small amounts of time, such as fifteen minutes per day is more effective than practicing for hours once a week.

Tips

• Take typing tests and record your progress. At some point, you will likely noticed increased overall speed as well as comfort. Positive gains will encourage you to keep at it!
• When typing, try to resist the temptation to switch back to QWERTY. Repeatedly switching back and forth will dramatically decrease any speed and memorization progress you have made.
• Don't forget to learn the punctuation, especially if you write code. The special characters ; : " , . < > { } [ ] / ? + - and _ are placed differently on the Dvorak and QWERTY layouts. Even if you have never learned these characters by touch before, do so now.
• If you use keyboard shortcuts to perform operations on the computer, such as Ctrl-C to copy, remember that some of these keys have moved.
• As you are learning, notice how much more you can type with just the home row keys. Remember QWERTY lessons with their "a salad; a sad lass"? Try some complete sentences, instead!
• Right-hand-only and left-hand-only Dvorak layouts do exist. If you can only type with one hand, consider learning one of these instead. You may be on your own to learn them.
• You don't need to buy a Dvorak keyboard. Just find an old keyboard and pop up the keys and snap them back in the Dvorak layout. Now you can begin with hunt-and-peck, but be sure to move to touch typing soon. (Only works with some keyboards -- and even some of them have molded keys for their specific slot that will not work as well if moved.)
• Passwords can be a challenge at first, to eliminate confusion with passwords, use mostly numbers in your password. The characters on the top row of numbers do not move either so by pressing SHIFT you can use them. The letters A and M are in the same spot for QWERTY and Dvorak; they are good letters to use in passwords also.
• If you need to reset passwords in websites or network administration programs, you will only see asterisks. To make sure you have the correct password typed in, use a text editor. Copy and paste it from plain text in to the website or network administration software.
• If you use a computer a lot for your job, consider changing during your vacation as your typing speed will drop to a very low rate initially, possibly reducing your work productivity significantly.
• Print out the keyboard layout included in this HowTo and keep it next to your monitor as a reference.
• Online typing lessons are convenient and helpful. You will notice progress this way, and you will learn faster if you take it one step at a time.

Warnings

• Switching to Dvorak can actually increase RSI problems at the beginning if you try to start too fast; you'll be stressing your hands' muscle memory. But soon it will help due to the reduced finger travel.
• Know which key layout you will use to type your passwords! In Windows, your initial login may be in QWERTY. Once you are logged in, you will function in Dvorak, including to type that same password again if you lock your computer or have a password on your screensaver.
• The Dvorak keyboard layout setting can interfere with certain devices. If you have a keyboard wedge barcode scanner that plugs in between your keyboard and your computer, for instance, the scans may come in wrong.
• Although the Dvorak layout reduces finger fatigue, prolonged typing can still lead to hand problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
• When still learning to type on the Dvorak layout, do not type for longer than one hour per day. Doing so may actually cause negative effects such as a decrease in typing speed. It will also frustrate you.
• Because it is non-default, Dvorak might not be the best choice for those that frequently switch between different computers or share computers with non-Dvorak users.

Things You'll Need

• Keyboard
• Typing Tutor
• Computer (unless you have a Smith-Corona SpeedType typewriter)