8 Differences Between British Keyboard vs US Keyboard

Keyboards aren't one-size-fits-all around the world. The US and UK keyboard layouts are the two most widely used keyboard layouts today. While the American keyboard follows the ANSI layout, the British keyboard adheres to the ISO layout. There are 8 key differences between the British keyboard vs US keyboard that can directly affect how you type, use symbols, and navigate everyday tasks.

Extra Keys

UK keyboard layout: UK keyboards often feature extra special characters or symbols such as à, è, ì, ò, ù that are commonly used in British English or European languages, such as accented letters or diacritical marks. 

US keyboard layout: US keyboards lack dedicated £ or Euro (€) keys.

Number of Keys

Due to slight variations in layout and key arrangement between the two types of keyboards, the standard UK keyboard has typically one more key than its US counterpart:

• UK keyboard layout: Follow the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard, usually containing 102 - 105 keys, with its compact version having 88 keys. 
• US keyboard layout: Follow the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard, usually containing 101 keys (or 104 with dedicated Windows keys), while its compact version has 87 keys. 

This extra key on the UK keyboard is mainly because it includes a dedicated pound sterling (£) symbol key. This makes typing the pound sign easier on the UK keyboard compared to the US one, where users typically have to use key combinations or shortcuts.

While these key count variations can affect typing experiences to some extent, most users can adapt quickly, especially if they're familiar with both layouts. Similar layout variations exist in other regions, such as the AZERTY vs QWERTY layouts used in French-speaking countries.

Besides, not only layout matters, the number of keys can also vary based on the keyboard's size. Is it full-size, TKL or compact? Check this guide on keyboard sizes and layouts to determine the size of your keyboard.

Symbols and Numbers

Both British keyboard vs US keyboard typically have the same number of symbols and numbers. You will typically find 10 numbers (0 - 9) and 40 symbols that are not letters or numbers on 28 keys such as punctuation marks (!, ", #, $, %, etc.), mathematical symbols (+, -, =, *, /, etc.), and special characters (€, £, @, etc.).

When typing symbols and numbers, there are differences between British and American keyboards too.

• UK keyboard layout: If you press Shift ' on a UK keyboard, you'll get the @ symbol. If you press Shift 2, it gives ". And if you press Shift 3 on a UK keyboard, you'll get the pound (£) symbol.
• US keyboard layout: If you press Shift ' on a US keyboard, it gives you “. If you press Shift 2, it's @. And if you press Shift 3 on a US keyboard, it's the hash (#) sign.

Quotation Marks and the @ Symbol

The quotation marks provide a perfect example of these US vs UK keyboard layout differences:  

• UK keyboard layout: The double quote (") appears on the "2" key when pressing Shift, while the at symbol (@) sits above the single quote key near the Enter key.
• US keyboard layout: American keyboards place the at symbol (@) on the "2" key, while the double quote (") is above the apostrophe key (').

Currency Symbols

The currency symbols £ (Pound) and € (Euro), widely used in the UK and EU, are not included on the US keyboard:

• UK keyboard layout: British keyboards prioritize the pound sterling symbol (£) on the "3" key with Shift, and place the dollar symbol elsewhere or include both dollar and euro (€) options, depending on the specific configuration. To type the dollar sign on a UK keyboard, simply press Shift + 4.
• US keyboard layout: US keyboards feature the dollar sign ($) on the "4" key. And to make the £ (pound) sign on a US keyboard, you’ll need to use a keyboard shortcut or change your input method, since the pound symbol is not printed on standard US keys. On Windows, you can hold Alt and type 0163 on the numeric keypad or 156 when turning on the Num Lock to produce £. On macOS, the shortcut is Option (⌥) + 3.

Hash Symbol (#)

The hash symbol highlights a significant British keyboard vs US keyboard distinction:

• UK keyboard layout: The British layout assigns the # symbol to a key located to the left of the Enter key.
• US keyboard layout: On the US keyboard, the # symbol is accessed via Shift + “3”.

Other Special Characters

Symbols can be placed differently on UK and US keyboards because of layout differences and regional typographical conventions.

• UK keyboard layout: On a UK keyboard, you'll find the "¬" symbol next to the number 1 when you press Shift, and the backslash symbol "\" is on the left side of the Z key on a UK keyboard.
• US keyboard layout: On a US keyboard, you'll find the "~" symbol next to the number 1,  instead of "¬". To access the “¬” symbol similar to the UK keyboard,  you can use keyboard shortcuts or switch input methods. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0172 on the numeric keypad to produce ¬. On macOS, you can type Option (⌥) + L to insert the symbol. And the backslash symbol "\" is below the Backspace key and above Enter.

Left Shift Key

The Left Shift key provides one of the most immediate visual and tactile clues when observing the British keyboard vs US keyboard:

• UK keyboard layout: The Left Shift key on the UK keyboard layout is distinctly shorter. This reduction in width is necessary because the ISO standard layout, used in the UK, incorporates an additional key (usually the backslash (\) or hash (#) key) between the Left Shift key and the "Z" key. This key typically features only an upward-pointing arrow symbol.
• US keyboard layout: The Left Shift key on the UK keyboard layout is distinctly longer. US keyboards are symmetrical, both the left and right Shift keys are usually labeled with the word "SHIFT," reflecting the simpler physical key arrangement of the ANSI standard.

Right Alt Keys

A significant functional difference when examining the British keyboard vs US keyboard is found in the role of the right-hand Alt key.

• UK Keyboards (Alt Gr): On the British layout, the right Alt key is typically labeled Alt Gr ((Alternate Graphic)). This key is crucial as it acts as a modifier to access a third set of characters (often symbols, currency signs like the Euro (€), or accented letters) that are commonly needed in the United Kingdom and across Europe.
• US Keyboards: In contrast, for the US keyboard, the right Alt key serves the same purpose as the left Alt key. It is simply a redundant key for executing standard shortcuts and commands. It does not provide the extra layer of character access that Alt Gr offers on the UK layout.

This functional distinction is a key practical difference, demonstrating how the UK layout, while still a form of QWERTY, is optimized for a wider range of character input compared to the more straightforward US layout.

Enter Keys

The shape of the Enter key is one of the most immediate and visually striking differences when comparing British keyboard vs US keyboard.

• UK Keyboards: Following the ISO standard, the UK layout is characterized by a tall, “reversed L” or “7-shaped” Enter key. This physical design choice is integral to the ISO standard and influences the placement of surrounding keys.
• US Keyboards: Adhering to the ANSI standard, the US layout features a wide, horizontal rectangular Enter key. This is sometimes referred to as a "single-row" Enter key.

Key Shapes and Sizes

The differences in key shapes and sizes are cumulative effects of the standards governing the British keyboard vs US keyboard. While the alphanumeric keys (A-Z, 0-9) are generally uniform rectangles on both, specific, high-traffic keys reveal the underlying structural differences.

The most notable differences in physical geometry arise from the adherence to either the ANSI or ISO standard:

• Enter Key: The US (ANSI) layout features a wider and more rectangular Enter key, whereas the UK (ISO) layout uses a tall and narrow, “reversed L” or “7-shaped” Enter key.
• Left Shift Key: The UK layout features a smaller but longer horizontally left shift key to accommodate additional keys like "\" or "|", while the US layout retains a longer, more uniform Shift key.

Although most comparisons focus on the British keyboard vs US keyboard, these aren’t the only regional variations that change key shapes and positions. For example, the French AZERTY layout also rearranges several keys and symbols in ways that may feel unusual to QWERTY users. You can see a full breakdown in this guide to the key differences between AZERTY and QWERTY layouts.

Layout Origin

British keyboard and US keyboard have different origins. Users often wonder "Is QWERTY US or UK?", and the answer is that QWERTY represents the shared letter arrangement used by both, while the symbol layers and physical key configurations diverge based on regional standards.

The US keyboard layout comes from the typewriter designs developed in America. It follows the standards set by the ANSI layout, which means it's tailored to make typing in English as convenient as possible.

Now, across the pond, in the UK, their keyboard layout has its roots in typewriter designs from there. It's standardized by the ISO layout. It includes features like easy access to the pound sterling (£) symbol, reflecting British preferences. 

Despite these differences, both the US and UK keyboards share the QWERTY layout, which is standard for countries using the Latin alphabet. But the UK keyboard adheres to a specific standard known as BS 4822, which organizes keys into a 48-key layout. This standard keeps things consistent and user-friendly for folks in the UK and other places that use it.

In addition to the QWERTY layout, Dvorak provides a distinct alternative. Curious about how this layout can benefit you, and how it compares to QWERTY?? Check out this Dvorak vs QWERT comparison for insights.

Read more: QWERTY vs Colemak: Keyboard Layouts Comparison

Conclusion

When comparing the British keyboard vs US keyboard, it’s clear that both layouts share the same QWERTY foundation, yet differ in several practical and visual ways to meet the needs of different regions. Ultimately, choosing between the two isn’t about which layout is “better,” but which one aligns with your typing habits. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the US layout or the added symbol accessibility of the UK version, the key to a smooth typing experience is selecting the layout that fits your workflow.

If you're exploring alternative layouts beyond QWERTY in typical British keyboard vs US keyboard setup, modern ergonomic options like the Colemak, Dvorak and Azerty layouts offer a completely different typing experience. You can check this helpful overview on the Colemak layout.

FAQs

Is QWERTY a US layout?

Yes, the QWERTY layout is commonly associated with keyboards used in the United States, but it's not limited to the US. It's also used in various other layouts in many countries such as the UK, Ireland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, and many more.

For those comparing typing efficiency, not just between the British keyboard vs US keyboard but across all layout families, it's worth looking at how advanced ergonomic layouts compete. This Colemak vs Dvorak comparison breaks down which one might fit your typing style better.

Why are US and UK keyboards different?

The reason US and UK keyboards are different today is that the American version follows the ANSI layout, while the British version adheres to the ISO layout. Furthermore, each country has standardized its keyboard layout to meet the linguistic and typographic needs of its users.

Can you use an American keyboard in the UK?

Yes, you can use a US keyboard in the UK. However, there may be some minor differences in the layout and symbols. These primarily involve the placement of certain symbols and characters, such as the pound (£) sign and the "at" (@) symbol.

What is the difference between UK vs US keyboard layout on MacBook?

The fundamental UK vs US keyboard layout differences are not specific to Apple hardware; they are rooted in the international standards (ANSI for US, ISO for UK). The ISO (UK) version typically includes an extra key, a different Enter key shape, and variations in symbol placement - just like on Windows keyboards. Apple simply follows these international standards.

How to change a keyboard from UK to US on a Mac?

To change the input source (software layout) on a macOS device:

1. Click the Apple Menu
2. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences).
3. Navigate to the Keyboard settings.
4. Click the Input Sources tab (or Input Menu).
5. Click the + button.
6. Search for and select English, then choose U.S. from the list of layouts.
7. Click Add. You can now switch between the layouts using the flag icon in the menu bar.

How to change from a UK keyboard to a US keyboard in Windows 10?

To switch your keyboard language/layout in Windows 10:

1. Open the Start Menu and click the Settings cog (or press Win + I).
2. Select Time & Language.
3. Click Language in the left-hand menu.
4. Under Preferred languages click on English (United Kingdom).
5. Select the Options button.
6. In the Keyboards section, click Add a keyboard.
7. Choose US QWERTY from the list.
8. You can then select and remove the United Kingdom layout if you wish to default to US.

How to change from UK keyboard to US keyboard in Windows 11?

To add the US keyboard layout in Windows 11:

1. Open Settings (or press Win + I).
2. Go to Time & Language.
3. Choose Language & region.
4. In the "Language" section, click Add a language.
5. Search for English (United States) and click Next.
6. Ensure "Basic typing" is selected and click Install.
7. Once installed, locate English (United States) under "Preferred languages.
8. Click the three dots (...) next to it and choose Language options.
9. In the "Keyboard" section, click Add a keyboard and select the US QWERTY layout.

How to type @ on UK keyboard?

On a UK keyboard layout, the @ symbol is typed using Shift + ' (apostrophe). This often confuses users who switch between layouts, because on a US keyboard, the @ symbol sits on Shift + 2 instead.