Tkl

TKL is an abbreviation commonly used to refer to tenkeyless keyboards. A tenkeyless keyboard omits the dedicated numeric keypad found on a standard full-size keyboard, resulting in a more compact layout. By removing the keypad on the right, TKL keyboards typically have around 87 keys in ANSI layouts or 88 keys in ISO layouts, though exact counts can vary by manufacturer and design. The design preserves the main typing area as well as the arrow keys and most navigation keys, but the layout of the function keys and some clusters may differ.

The main advantages of a TKL design are reduced footprint and improved portability, which can free up desk space for a mouse and other peripherals and make the keyboard easier to transport. Many users, particularly gamers and professionals with limited desk space or who travel with their setup, prefer TKL for these reasons. The tradeoffs include the loss of the numeric keypad, which can slow numeric data entry and remove some dedicated navigation keys unless alternative key combinations or layers are provided. Some users compensate with external calculators or by using function-layer mappings for numeric input.

TKL keyboards are common in the mechanical keyboard community and are available in wired and wireless variants, with a wide range of switch types, keycap profiles, and build qualities. They exist across multiple layouts, most notably ANSI (typical 87-key) and ISO (often 88-key) configurations, and can be found in many brands and price points. As a versatile middle ground between compact and full-size keyboards, TKL remains popular for both everyday typing and competitive gaming.