Posted on February 15, 2026 · 19 min read · · #keyboards
So you’ve heard of split keyboards and want to buy one, but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place! There are many offerings these days which can be overwhelming, so this guide aims to provide a high level overview of the landscape so you can figure out which path you want to take.
The intent of this guide is not to tell you which specific keyboard you should buy, but rather to equip you with the knowledge to find one that works for yourself. The content in this post is mainly a consolidation of content that exists in r/ErgoMechKeyboards, but organized in a way that is hopefully helpful for beginners. Also, it should be noted that regardless of how ergonomic your setup is, it’s important to take frequent breaks from being in front of a computer when possible, and to get up and move around. If you’re suffering from acute muscular pain (e.g. from keyboard use, or other), consider also seeing a physiotherapist or other healthcare practitioner for professional help.
There’s already many other resources that talk about the benefits of a split keyboard, but the gist is that by separating the left and right halves of the keys, your hands can rest in a more natural position instead of being forced together like on a traditional keyboard. This reduces outward wrist bending (aka ulnar deviation), shoulder tension, etc. The goal isn’t to magically fix posture overnight, but to remove some of the physical constraints imposed by a standard keyboard so your body can settle into something more relaxed during long sessions at the computer.
There are three main categories of keyboards, which define the overall positions of the keys.
Row-staggered : Keys are aligned in rows, like a traditional keyboard. This is what you’re already used to.
: Keys are aligned in rows, like a traditional keyboard. This is what you’re already used to. Column-staggered : Keys are aligned in columns. This better matches finger anatomy and is very common in ergonomic splits.
: Keys are aligned in columns. This better matches finger anatomy and is very common in ergonomic splits. Ortholinear: Uniform grid, no stagger. Visually pleasing, but less common in ergonomic splits.
For people interested in ergonomics, most transition from row staggered to column staggered. Ortholinear was popular for a time and still has a cult following (e.g. with the Planck), but is not as popular for ergonomic keyboards. Majority of the split keyboards shown in this post will be
A common question is whether learning to type on a non-row staggered keyboard will impact your ability to type on a traditional keyboard. If you switch between the two somewhat regularly, the answer is no - the brain appears to be great at compartmentalizing muscle memory for different devices! In my first month or so of learning to type on a column stagger keyboard, it took me a few minutes to get used to a regular keyboard again in that session. But now, I can use either a traditional or split without issue or “ramp up” time.
... continue reading