What is 10 Key Typing? Best Practices Guide

If you need to enter numbers or data quickly on a computer, mastering the 10-key numeric pad on your keyboard is a great place to start. The number pad lets you punch in numbers and symbols with one hand and it’s easy to learn how to type on one properly. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through touch typing on a ten-key, calculating your typing speed, and how to practicing so you get faster!

Ten Key Typing Basics

Rest your pointer, middle, and ring fingers on the 4, 5, and 6 keys.
Use your index finger to type 1, 4, and 7.
Use your middle finger to type 2, 5, 8, and the / symbol.
Use your ring finger for the decimal point, 3, 6, 9, and *.
Press 0 with your thumb.
Type the minus sign, plus sign, and Enter with your pinky.

Section 1 of 7:

What is ten key typing?

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Ten-key typing is using the numerical pad attached to your keyboard. A "ten-key" is another name for the set of number keys on your keyboard that look like a calculator. Ten-key typing makes it easier to enter strings of numbers, formulas, and symbols without having to use the number row at the top of your keyboard.
- Even though there are more than 10 buttons when you include the surrounding symbol keys, the numerical pad is called a ten-key because it has 10 digits (0-9) you can type.

Section 2 of 7:

How to Do 10-Key Typing

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1
Put your index, middle, and ring fingers on the 4, 5, and 6 keys. Place your index finger on the 4 key, your middle finger on the 5 key, and your ring finger on the 6 key. This is the "home row" position for ten-key work.^{[1]
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- The 5 key on a ten-key number pad usually has a raised bump so you can easily feel where the home row is even if you’re not looking at your keyboard.
- Make sure you have the Num Lock disabled by pressing the num or Num Lock button in the top left corner of the ten-key, or else the numbers won’t work when you press the keys down.
Press the 1 with your index finger, the 2 with your middle finger, and the 3 with your ring finger. After you press a key, bring your finger back to its place on the home row.
3
Move to the row above to type in 7, 8, and 9. Type the 7 with your index finger, the 8 with your middle finger, and the 9 with your ring finger. Bring your fingers back to the home row when you’re done typing.
- Note that telephones and other keypads are usually arranged differently than a computer’s ten-key. They have the 1, 2, and 3 on the top row and 7,8, and 9 on the bottom.
Type the 0 with your thumb. Rest your thumb on the 0 key at the bottom of the numerical pad. Whenever you need to add a zero, just press the button down with the side of your thumb.
5
Reach for the symbols around the number keys. There are various mathematical symbols around the number keys so you’re able to type in formulas faster. Use the correct fingers to type in each symbol, and always move them back to the home row when you’re finished.^{[2]
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- Middle finger: /
- Ring finger: * and .
- Pinkie: +, -, and ↵ Enter

Section 3 of 7:

What is ten key typing used for?

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Ten-key numerical pads are mostly used in jobs that require a lot of data entry, such as accounting, customer support, and administrative services. Employees use the ten-key on their keyboard to quickly type in numbers and symbols with one hand.
2
Alt codes use the ten-key for entering special symbols. Alt codes create common symbols or accented letters when you hold down the Alt key and type in a specific string of numbers. Alt codes only work when you type them through the ten-key numerical pad, and it can be a lot quicker than inserting symbols through the menu.^{[3]
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- Check out our section on typing alt codes to learn the most common symbols.

Section 4 of 7:

What is a good 10-key typing speed?

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A speed of 8,000 keystrokes per hour is an average speed. That’s about 134 keystrokes every minute. Typing speed tests usually count the number of keystrokes you make for 1-2 minutes and multiply them to find your keystrokes per hour (KPH).^{[4]
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- Each error you make subtracts 10 keystrokes from your speed, so be sure to prioritize accuracy or go back and quickly fix your errors before you’re penalized.
- Keep in mind that some jobs may have a minimum KPH requirement that you need to achieve to be considered for the position.

Section 5 of 7:

How to Get Better at 10-Key Typing

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Checking what keys you’re pressing can slow you down. Whenever you practice typing, try to look at your computer screen instead of down at your keyboard. If you’re worried about having your fingers on the wrong keys, try to feel for the raised bump on the 5 key with your middle finger.
Going back and fixing mistakes takes a lot more time than just doing it correctly the first time. Prioritize entering numbers and data in correctly, even if you have to slow down a little bit. As you become more accurate, your speed will naturally increase.
3
Take online typing tests to check your progress. Online typing tests generate random strings of numbers and symbols for you to type, and they track your keystrokes over a short time. After a minute or two, you can see your KPH and how accurate you were. Take tests occasionally to see how much you’ve improved and to keep track of any speed goals you have.

Section 6 of 7:

10-Key Touch Typing Practice

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Try entering these numbers and symbols without looking at the keys. Open up a blank document and place your cursor inside. Put your fingers on the home row of the ten-key, and type all of the following numbers and symbols without looking at the keyboard. Try to be as accurate as possible. Once you get through the set once, try typing them again to improve your speed.
- 109.78+83.2
- 523.1*49.02
- 465-380.4
- 937.96+415.8
- 673.5/73.2
- 8621.3-951.7
- 378.92*72.40
- 1940.2/973.9
- 77.24+87.16
- 9154.84-273.4
- 204*973.1
- 431.85-67.40
- 1893.4/58.12
- 6924.3-72.50
- 867.14*978.21
- 7948.25+607.785
- 418.12/74.2
- 934.7+87.1
- 738.01*34.76
- 5012.07+14.893

Section 7 of 7:

How to Enter Alt Codes on a Ten Key

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Hold Alt, type in the number code, and let go of Alt to create a symbol. Typing alt codes works on Windows computers for making different symbols, such as accented letters, mathematical symbols, and special punctuation. Hold down the Alt key and enter the alt code with the ten-key. Then, let go of Alt and the symbol will appear on screen.^{[5]
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- Á: 0193
- É: 0201
- Ñ: 0209
- Ü: 0220
- ¡: 0161
- ¿: 0191
- ¢: 0162
- ÷: 0247
- ±: 0177
- ¢: 0169
- ™:0153
- ¶: 0182

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It seems like my fingers are too short and too long! What is the easiest way to remember the keys?

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Just try to adjust your hand and fingers to make it easier, or try stretching exercises for it.

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When I have a space between numbers, which finger should be used for the space bar?

Tomáš Břoušek

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The other hand, left middle finger or index finger. Right hand is resting above your numerical keypad.

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Why would anyone want to do this?

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It's useful for people in the business world because their fingers don't have to move as much to hit the decimal point key, the plus sign, and more.

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