ANSI vs ISO Keyboard: Which is Right for You?

ANSI, short for the American National Standards Institute, and ISO, representing the International Organization for Standardization, define the physical arrangement of keys on keyboards, primarily in Western countries. These layouts influence the size and placement of essential keys like the Enter key, Backslash, and Left Shift key.

Unlike logical layouts such as QWERTY, Colemak, and Dvorak, which dictate key function, ANSI and ISO focus on the physical configuration of the keyboard itself. Understanding the differences between these two can help you choose the keyboard that best suits your typing needs.

Category	ANSI Keyboard Layout	ISO Keyboard Layout
Year Of Release	1988	1994
National Standards	American National Standards Institute (ANSI)	International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Enter Key	Rectangle, typically 2.25u wide	Inverted L-shape, spans two rows
Backslash Key	Located above the Enter key. A longer keystroke is required	Located on the left of the Enter key. Shorter keystroke
Left Shift Key	Same size and dimension as the Right shift key	50% of the size of the right shift key. Have the same dimension as the Ctrl key
Right Alt Key	Uniform with the left alternative	Replaced with an Alt Gr key
Number Of Keys	60% layout: 68 keys Tenkeyless: 87 keys Full-Size: 104 keys	60% layout: 69 keys Tenkeyless: 88 keys Full-Size: 105 keys
Ergonomics	Generally considered ergonomic	More ergonomic due to the larger left-Shift key
Adaptability For Different Languages & Symbols	Less adaptable, often requires specialized keycaps or layouts for non-English languages	More adaptable, can accommodate a wider range of languages and symbols
Cost	$50 - $200	$60 - $250

ANSI (The American National Standards Institute) has standardized a keyboard layout primarily used in the United States. These keyboards typically have a rectangular Enter key that is approximately 2.25 units wide.

ISO (The International Organization for Standardization) has standardized a different keyboard layout, which is more common in European countries. ISO keyboards are characterized by an Enter key shaped like an inverted L and span two rows of keys.

Note: Accent marks in European languages require more symbols than in US English, leading to key crowding. For instance, the UK "4" key can print "$" (Shift) or "€" (Alt Gr).

Enter key

The ISO layout features a larger, L-shaped Enter key that offers a more roomy and comfortable target for users' fingers. This arrangement accommodates a variety of typing methods and is in line with the preference of European typists for a larger key surface. 

On the other hand, the Enter key adopts a rectangular form in the ANSI configuration, providing a marginally smaller target area. Its width facilitates pressing and identifying, particularly in low-light conditions or when typing rapidly.

Backslash key

The ISO layout has a backslash key next to the left Shift key. Across the range of European languages, this positioning is uniform, allowing for character variations.  While the ANSI layout has a backslash key above the enter key. This placement may necessitate a small adjustment in hand location, offering a distinct ergonomic experience for users.

Another distinction in size can be observed – the backslash key on ANSI keyboards is roughly one and a half times the size of a single letter key, whereas on ISO keyboards, it typically appears more compact.

Left Shift key

The ISO layout has a smaller and left-aligned left Shift key, while the ANSI layout has a larger and right-aligned left Shift key. The wider key may be more comfortable for users accustomed to ANSI layouts, while users who prefer narrower ISO Left Shifts may find the broader key more accommodating for their preferred typing style.

Right Alt key

The ISO layout has a right Alt key and an Alt Graph (AltGr) key, while the ANSI layout has only a right Alt key. The AltGr key allows typing extended symbols and characters. Users benefit from a unique typing experience as a result of this distinction, with ISO keyboard users enjoying convenient access to a greater variety of characters.

Number of Keys

The ISO layout has one more key than the ANSI layout, regardless of the keyboard size. The ISO keyboard has 105 keys for a full-sized keyboard and 88 keys for a compact layout, while the ANSI keyboard has 104 keys for a full-sized version and 87 keys for a compact version.

Related Articles:

• The number of keys on a Full-Size Keyboard
• Keycap Dimensions

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is always the first and foremost priority when choosing between ANSI and ISO layouts. Let’s continue to read the detailed information we have compiled below to make the best choice for your setup.

 

Backslash Key Accessibility

ANSI layouts are the preferred choice for users who work extensively with programming or tasks that require frequent use of the backslash key. ISO layouts are ideal for those typing in European languages or using special characters. These layouts offer greater intuitiveness with the backslash key to the left of the Enter key.

Enter Key Accessibility

The bigger, L-shaped Enter key in ISO layouts makes typing more ergonomic and less likely to result in unintentional key presses. This is appropriate for those who value comfort during lengthy typing sessions and touch typists. 

Conversely, people who appreciate a more compact keyboard design and are already familiar with this layout might favor ANSI layouts with the smaller, rectangular Enter key.

Left Shift Key Accessibility

The wider left shift key seen in ANSI layouts can make the key more comfortable for touch typists who frequently use it. ISO layouts, on the other hand, might still be appropriate for everyday typing due to their thinner left shift key. 

Adaptability for different languages & symbols

The ISO layout is popular in Europe and elsewhere because of the inclusion of the Alt Graph (also known as AltGr) key. This key enables users to easily type characters that have diacritics. A diacritic is a small symbol added to a letter to change its sound.

ANSI layout can be less versatile and adaptable for different languages and symbols, especially those that use diacritics or special letters.

Cost

ANSI keyboards are more affordable and accessible, with the cheapest ranging from around $50 for those who are cost-conscious to around $200+ for those aiming for high quality. Increased production volumes due to growing demand for ANSI layouts offer more alternatives at competitive prices.

On the other hand, ISO keyboards are still widely available, although sometimes a bit more expensive than equivalent ANSI keyboards, ranging from $60 to over $250.

Availability & Customization options

The ANSI layout is also more popular and more ergonomic overall, and it’s more commonly produced, so you have many more choices when it comes to brands and keycap sets.

For gaming, some games - like first-person shooters - benefit more from the ANSI layout because players can crouch or run more easily with the left Shift key. On the other hand, for typing tasks, the ISO layout shines in terms of ergonomics. Typists often find it more comfortable because the extended length of the Shift key makes it easier to access with their pinky finger. Additionally, the narrower Enter key aligns better with their natural typing posture, reducing strain during long typing sessions.

Which is better, ANSI or ISO? Ultimately, it all boils down to your typing habits and needs. Both ANSI and ISO layouts offer advantages and disadvantages. Choose ANSI if you prioritize comfort and customization, as: The Enter key's position is closer to your right pinky, making it easier to reach.  The brackets and parentheses keys are more readily accessible compared to some regional ISO layouts that shuffle these keys for language-specific characters. The massive popularity of ANSI means you'll find a wider variety of custom keycaps and accessories specifically designed for this layout. Choose ISO if you are a multilingual typist and value proper accent usage, as: Popular in continental Europe, the ISO layout boasts the Alt Gr key (GR stands for "graphics"). This key is specifically designed for creating accents, crucial for many languages. If your primary language isn't English and you prioritize proper accentuation, then ISO might be the better choice, assuming the specific ISO layout you choose is optimized for your language. The best way to determine which layout is right for you is to try both and see which one feels more comfortable and efficient.

Related Articles:

• The difference between 60% and 65% keyboard
• The comparison between British and US keyboard
• The difference between Qwerty and Dvorak keyboard

Final Thoughts

ANSI and ISO layouts are the two most common keyboard layouts in the world. Each configuration has its own benefits and drawbacks; the ISO layout has an additional key for adaptability, while the ANSI layout is frequently commended for its ergonomic design and accessibility. The choice between the ISO and ANSI keyboard layouts comes down to personal taste and typing habits.

Can I Use an ANSI Keyboard Even If My Language Uses an ISO Layout?

If you want to replace the ISO/DE keycaps on your ANSI keyboard, you can't use ISO Enter + Left Shift (wrong size), but the rest of the ISO keycaps will fit.

Hence, it is possible to use the ANSI keyboard layout with other languages that require different types of symbols.

On Windows 10, you can change layouts by pressing Alt+shift, which will take you to the key with the desired symbol.

On Mac OS X, shortcuts are available, but you must enable them. You can also change the language for your keyboard input and switch in the top navigation bar.

What Layout Is My Keyboard?

The enter key is the simplest way to tell which layout your keyboard is.

• You have an ANSI keyboard if the enter key is a wide rectangle that takes up only one row.
• If the enter key is shaped like an upside-down L and takes up two rows, you have an ISO keyboard.
• If you have Japanese characters next to the space bar on your keyboard, you most likely have the JIS layout.

Where can I find ANSI and ISO Keycap Sets?

ANSI keycaps can be found almost anywhere. When looking for these keycaps, there is no need to type ANSI; simply searching for keycaps will yield these results as the default. Kono, Candykeys, KBD Fans, and Mechanicalkeyboards.com are all good places to look for keycaps. 

Fancy a more custom taste? Hirosart provides an extensive artisan keycap collection that allows your keyboard shines with money pieces custom to your liking!