British Keyboard vs US Keyboard: Comparative Analysis of 2024

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.

But wait, there's more! We will shed light on more differences between the British keyboard vs US keyboard. By examining the nuances in key placement and layout design, we can uncover how these distinctions impact daily typing experiences and communication in different regions.

Let's get this keyboard party started!

Features	British Keyboard	US Keyboard
Number of Keys	88/102/105 keys	87/101/104 keys
Extra Keys	Special characters like £, €, accented letters, and diacritical marks cater to European needs.	No dedicated £ or Euro key; some models have extra function keys
Enter Keys	Upside-down "L" or "7”	Horizontal rectangle shape
Alt Keys	1 Alt key, 1 Alt Gr key	2 Alt keys
Modifier Keys	CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT May use symbols to display	CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT  Use standard labels to display
Symbols and Numbers	10 numbers and 40 symbols Shift + ' gives @ Shift + 2 gives " Shift + 3 gives £ The ¬ symbol is next to 1 on Shift The backslash \ is located left of Z	10 numbers and 40 symbols Shift + ' gives " Shift + 2 gives @ Shift + 3 gives # The ~ symbol is next to 1 on Shift. The backslash \ is below Backspace and above Enter
Key Shapes and Sizes	Taller Enter key, may have smaller Shift keys	Generally rectangular
Layout Origin	Follow ISO layout	Follow ANSI layout

Key Differences Between British Keyboard vs US Keyboard

Did you know there are quite a few differences between UK and US keyboards? Some of them are pretty subtle, but they make a big impact.

Let's take a look at the differences between British keyboard vs US keyboard you might not have noticed before

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.

A full-size US keyboard usually has between 101 and 104 keys, while its compact version has 87 keys. In comparison, a full-size UK keyboard typically offers 102 to 105 keys, with its compact version having 88 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.

Nevertheless, the number of keys can vary based on the keyboard's size. Is it full-size, TKL or compact? You check this guide on keyboard sizes and layouts to determine the size of your keyboard.

Extra Keys

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. These differences between the US vs UK keyboard address the linguistic and typographic needs of users in each region, reflecting variations in language, currency, and cultural conventions.

Enter Keys

The most noticeable difference between British keyboard vs US keyboard lies in their Enter keys.

The Enter key on a US keyboard is typically shaped like a tall rectangle, with the top part of the key extending horizontally. In contrast, the Enter key on a UK keyboard often has a different shape, resembling an upside-down "L" or "7", with a shorter vertical portion and a longer horizontal portion.

Additionally, on the UK keyboard, the Enter key spans two rows but is narrower to make room for the "#" and "~" keys. Meanwhile, the US keyboard opts for a single-row Enter key, while those other keys find a new spot.

Alt Keys

The Alt keys on US and UK keyboards typically serve the same purpose and function similarly. Both US and UK keyboards feature two Alt keys, typically located on either side of the spacebar. These keys are used to access alternate functions for other keys, such as shortcuts for commands in software applications.

However, a notable distinction between the US vs UK computer keyboard lies in the layout of the UK keyboard, where the right Alt key is replaced by an Alt Gr key (short for Alternate Graphic).

Unlike its standard counterpart, the Alt Gr key primarily acts as a modifier for typing special characters and symbols, including foreign currency symbols, typographic marks, and accented letters.

Modifier Keys

Modifier keys on a keyboard include Shift, Ctrl (Control), Alt, Windows key, and Fn (Function). The modifier keys on US and UK keyboards mostly work the same way, but there are slight differences in the labeling and size.

As mentioned above, on UK keyboards, there's a key called "Alt Graph" or "Right Alt" placed next to the space bar, helping type special characters like the Euro symbol. 

Besides, unlike US keyboards, where Shift is usually labeled with words, some UK keyboards use symbols like an upward arrow to show it. So, if you're new to typing or rely a lot on seeing labels, it might take a bit to get used to these differences.

Symbols and Numbers

Numbers of symbols and numbers: Both British and US keyboards 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.). It's worth noting that there might be a slight difference in the count since certain keys include two symbols.

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

• Tilde "¬" and negation symbol "~": On a UK keyboard, you'll find the "¬" symbol next to the number 1 when you press Shift. But on a US keyboard, that same key gives you the "~" symbol instead of "¬".
• Backslash symbol "\": The backslash symbol "\" is on the left side of the Z key on a UK keyboard, but on a US keyboard, it's below the Backspace key and above Enter.

Symbols & numbers input: When typing symbols and numbers, there are differences between British and American keyboards too.

• If you press Shift ' on a UK keyboard, you'll get the @ symbol, but on a US keyboard, it gives you "
• If you press Shift 2 on a UK keyboard gives ", while on a US keyboard, it's @.
• If you press Shift 3 on a UK keyboard, you'll get the pound (£) symbol, whereas on a US keyboard, it's the hash (#) sign.

Currency symbols: The currency symbols £ (Pound) and € (Euro), widely used in the UK and Ireland, are not included on the US keyboard. Instead, the $ (Dollar) symbol is prevalent in the United States and in countries where the American English standard keyboard layout is commonly employed as the primary working language, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada (English-speaking regions), India, and Pakistan.

Key Shapes and Sizes

The differences in key shapes and sizes between UK vs US keyboards are generally subtle but noticeable.

The Enter key on a UK keyboard is often taller and narrower compared to the Enter key on a US keyboard, which tends to be wider and more rectangular.

Additionally, the Shift keys on UK keyboards may be slightly smaller in size compared to those on US keyboards. Plus, the left Shift key on UK keyboards might be longer horizontally to accommodate additional keys like "\" or "|".

Layout Origin

British keyboard and US keyboard have different origins. The US keyboard layout comes from the typewriter designs developed in America. It follows the standards set by the ANSI layout (American National Standards Institute), 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 (International Organization for Standardization). 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? Check out this Dvorak guide for insights.

Read more: A Comparison of ANSI and ISO Keyboard Layouts

Laptop Key Differences

To sum it up quickly: The UK keyboard is preferred by those who require convenient access to symbols such as the pound (£) and euro (€). Moreover, it is also useful for people who need to write in English with frequent accented characters.

On the other hand, the US keyboard is favored by those who frequently use the dollar sign ($) and "@" symbols.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to what feels right for you. Whether it's the layout you're used to or the specific symbols you need handy, it's all about personal preference. Both keyboards are pretty adaptable and work well for typing, coding, or whatever else you're up to.

How to Turn a British Keyboard into a US Keyboard?

To change a British keyboard layout to a US keyboard layout on a computer, you typically need to adjust the keyboard settings in your operating system. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Change Keyboard Language

Open your computer's settings or control panel > Choose Time & Language.

Remember to change the language to English (United States) > In the language box, choose Options to add keyboard.

Step 2: Select US Keyboard

Once you've changed the language to English (United States), navigate to the keyboard settings. Choose the US keyboard layout from the available options. This may be listed as "US" or "United States."

Apply the changes and close the settings window. You can remove the UK keyboard if necessary.

After completing these steps, your British keyboard should now function as a US keyboard, with the appropriate key mappings and layout. Remember to adjust any physical key labels if necessary.

Conclusion

When you're out scouting for a fresh keyboard, don't just look at aesthetics or features. One of the real game-changers is the key layout where letters, numbers, and symbols reside. This guide on differences between British keyboard vs US keyboard has done its job to help you find the perfect match for your typing needs.

Now, here's a tip: If you switch between a UK keyboard and a US keyboard, consider spicing up your keys with some fresh legends. Trust me, it'll save you from a world of confusion and give your typing experience a whole new vibe!

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.

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.

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.