Azerty vs Qwerty: What are the Key Differences in Keyboard Layouts?

Two of the most widely used keyboard layouts are Azerty vs Qwerty. Each layout has unique features associated with different languages and regions. Understanding the difference between Qwerty and Azerty can help users make informed decisions based on their specific needs and preferences. In this article, we will examine the primary variances between two widely used keyboard layouts.

Features	Azerty	Qwerty
Alphabetic keys	Dedicated keys for accented characters (é, è, ê, ï, ë, ç)	Standard English alphabet order; no dedicated accent keys
Letter arrangement	Be arranged for easy French typing A-Z-E-R-T-Y on top row; M on second row; W on bottom row	Be arranged for avoiding jams by spacing out frequently used keys Q-W-E-R-T-Y on top row; A and Z on second row; M on bottom row; W on top row
Position of special characters	Specific keys for French characters; top row defaults to special characters May require users to press the Shift key to type numbers	Top row defaults to numbers; special characters require key combinations or Alt codes
Symbol placement	May require Shift or AltGR with different keys; special symbols like [] () on different keys; third level of symbols with AltGR	More symbols on top row for direct access; some symbols like [] () require Shift; third level of symbols with AltGR
Language focus	Optimized for French, Belgian, and Swiss French typing, with common accented letters easily accessible	Optimized for English typing, with common punctuation and symbols readily available
Ergonomics	May require hand contortions for certain key combinations Some argue it's less ergonomic	Considered ergonomic due to familiarity
Gaming experience	May require more key remapping for some games	May be more compatible with most games
Compatibility	Less compatible with software designed for QWERTY keyboards May require software adjustments or remapping keys	Widely compatible with software and online platforms
Popularity	Mainly used in France and Belgium Less common in other parts of the world	Dominant layout in most of the world, including North America and the United Kingdom
Learning curve	May be easier for French speakers Can be challenging for those accustomed to QWERTY	May be easier for English speakers due to widespread familiarity

The QWERTY layout was originally designed for typewriters in the 1870s by Christopher Latham Sholes. It is a specific combination of keys arranged in a particular order, as depicted in the image. Although it is an old layout, it remains in use by most people today, despite the introduction of newer designs.

The AZERTY keyboard is designed for French users, featuring a different arrangement than the QWERTY keyboard. It can be tricky to type on at first, but with practice, it becomes easier to use.

While the Azerty and Qwerty layouts are the most widely known and commonly used keyboard layouts, there are indeed other keyboard layouts available. These alternative layouts are often designed to address specific needs. Read these related articles for reference.

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Similarities between Azerty and Qwerty keyboard layout

Azerty and Qwerty are popular keyboard layouts derived from the Qwerty typewriter design. Some of the similarities between Azerty vs Qwerty are:

Function Keys

The function keys (F1, F2, F3, etc.) are in the same position on both QWERTY and AZERTY keyboards. These keys are located at the top of the keyboard and are used to perform specific functions depending on the software being used.

Numeric Keypad

The numeric keypad is a distinct part of a keyboard that enables users to easily input numbers and carry out calculations. It is commonly situated on the right-hand side of the keyboard and has an identical layout on both Azerty vs Qwerty keyboards.

Modifier Keys

The placement of modifier keys, such as Shift, Control (Ctrl), and Alt, is consistently similar between the Azerty vs Qwerty keyboard layouts. These keys are usually located on the bottom row of the keyboard, on both sides of the spacebar. The position of these keys is almost identical in both layouts, which allows users to perform common keyboard shortcuts and access additional features with ease.

The keys like Enter, Backspace, Spacebar, and navigational keys are placed similarly on both QWERTY and AZERTY keyboards. However, there are differences in the functioning of these keys based on the keyboard settings. For example, on an AZERTY keyboard, you need to press the Shift key to type numbers, while on a QWERTY keyboard, you can directly type numbers.

Key Differences Between Azerty vs Qwerty Layout 

The key differences between Azerty vs Qwerty keyboard layouts are primarily in the arrangement of letters and special characters, which cater to the linguistic needs of different regions. Here’s a brief overview:

Alphabetic keys

One of the main differences between Azerty and Qwerty Layout is the presence or absence of accented characters on the keyboard. Azerty Layout has dedicated keys for é, è, ê, ï, ë, ... and other special characters like &, ", ', and ç (in French), which are not available on Qwerty Layout. These characters are important for writing in French, as they affect the meaning and pronunciation of words.

Qwerty Layout, on the other hand, has more keys for punctuation and symbols, such as . , / ? ; : ’ " [ ] { } \ | - _ = + < > and ` ~, which are useful for expressing grammatical functions, such as pauses, emphasis, quotations, etc. Qwerty Layout is based on the frequency of letters in the English language, and it was designed to avoid typewriter jams by separating commonly used keys.

Letter Arrangement

The letter arrangement of Azerty and Qwerty Layout differs in several ways. Azerty Layout starts with A-Z-E-R-T-Y on the top left, while Qwerty Layout starts with Q-W-E-R-T-Y. Azerty Layout swaps the A and Z keys with the Q and W keys on the top row, and moves the M key from the bottom row to the second row.

Qwerty Layout keeps the A and Z keys on the second row, and the M key on the bottom row. Azerty Layout also puts the W key on the bottom row, while Qwerty Layout keeps it on the top row. These variations reflect the different letter frequencies and preferences of different languages.

Position of Special Characters

Special characters are located differently on Azerty and Qwerty Layout. Azerty Layout has specific keys for French characters like é, è, à, and ç, which are convenient for typing in French. Users can also use key combinations to type these characters. On Azerty Layout, the top row has special characters by default, and users need to press Shift to type numbers.

The Qwerty keyboard layout does not have specific keys for French accents. To type these characters, users will often need to use a combination of keys or alt codes. On the other hand, the Qwerty keyboard layout has the top number row set up to type numbers by default, and users need to press the Shift key to access special characters like @, #, $, etc.

Symbol Placement

The placement of symbols on QWERTY and AZERTY keyboards can differ due to the variations in the keyboard layouts. Here are the key differences in symbol placement between QWERTY and AZERTY keyboards:

• Azerty: On Azerty keyboards, accessing some symbols might require the use of the Shift key or other modifier keys in conjunction with different keys, not necessarily the top number row. The location of specific symbols like [] () may be relocated to different keys or require the use of modifier keys. Access to other levels of symbols often uses AltGR to access a third level of symbols on various keys.
• Qwerty: To access certain symbols on a French AZERTY keyboard, you may need to use modifier keys such as Shift or AltGR in combination with different keys. Some symbols, like [], (), may be located on different keys or require the use of modifier keys. To access a third level of symbols on various keys, you can use AltGR.

Language Focus

The QWERTY keyboard is the standard layout used in English-speaking regions such as America, Canada, and parts of Europe but is now widely used for typing in various languages. On the other hand, the Azerty keyboard is primarily used in French-speaking countries like France and Belgium. This feature offers various input methods for typing accented characters and other French-language keyboard shortcuts.

It's important to note that both the qwerty and azerty keyboard layouts can be used for typing in languages other than English. For instance, qwerty is frequently used for typing in Spanish, German, and Italian, whereas azerty can be used for typing in Dutch and Belgian French.

Ergonomics

Regarding physical ergonomics, both keyboards have a home row that is based on the appropriate position for your middle fingers, which provides sufficient ergonomic support. Therefore, the preference between Azerty and Qwerty keyboards is typically a matter of personal choice or the specific requirements of your language.

Gaming Experience

Gaming Experience can vary depending on the keyboard layout used by the gamers. Azerty and Qwerty Layout have different advantages and disadvantages for gaming. Gamers who use the Azerty keyboard layout may often need to reconfigure controls in many games, as the default settings are often optimized for Qwerty layouts. In the Azerty keyboard layout, the ZQSD keys are often used as an alternative to the WASD keys in gaming.  Therefore, it may take some time to get used to it and you may need to reconfigure controls in many games, which can be a hassle.

The Qwerty keyboard layout is widely used for gaming, as most games are designed with Qwerty controls.. The combination of WASD keys, where W is for forward, A is for left, S is for backward, and D is for right, has become a standard for movement controls in various games, especially first-person shooters and other genres that require precise character movement. The keys are located on the left side of the QWERTY keyboard, which makes it easy to access movement controls while keeping the right hand free for other actions, such as using the mouse for aiming. 

Compatibility

The compatibility of Azerty vs Qwerty layouts depends on the specific operating system and software being used. Some of the main factors that affect the compatibility are:

• The region and language of the user: Azerty keyboards are widely used in French-speaking regions, such as France and Belgium. They have special keys for accented characters and French-language keyboard shortcuts. Qwerty keyboards are more common in other regions, and they do not have special keys for French accents.
• The type of software and programming language: Qwerty keyboards are more compatible with a variety of software and operating systems, as they are the standard layout for most applications. Most programming languages are also based on English, and Qwerty keyboards have the keyboard shortcuts that match them. Azerty keyboards may need some adjustments or additional configurations to work with some software and programming languages.
• The support for layout switching: Windows, macOS, and Linux support many keyboard layouts, including Qwerty and Azerty. Users can switch between layouts easily on these operating systems. However, some older software may not support layout switching, and Qwerty keyboards may be more compatible than Azerty keyboards in these cases.

Popularity

The popularity of Azerty vs Qwerty keyboard layouts varies significantly based on geographical and linguistic factors. However, the QWERTY keyboard layout is more popular globally.

Qwerty is more popular globally than the Azerty keyboard layout. It's widely used in the Americas and  several regions of Europe and has become the default for multiple languages. Its design dates back to the typewriter era, created to prevent jamming and to speed up typing by separating commonly used letter pairs. Its widespread adoption was further solidified with the rise of computers.

Azerty is mainly used in French-speaking countries, including France, Belgium, and some parts of Africa and offers input methods for French-language characters and shortcuts. Its specialized design for the French language makes it less practical for use in non-French-speaking regions.

Learning Curve

The learning curve of transitioning from one keyboard layout to another, such as Azerty to Qwerty or vice versa, can vary depending on several factors. Here are some considerations regarding the learning curve:

• The previous keyboard layout of the user: Users who are accustomed to Qwerty keyboards may struggle to switch to Azerty keyboards, as some keys are in different positions. For example, the A and Q keys, and the Z and W keys, are reversed on Azerty keyboards. Users also need to press Shift to type numbers on Azerty keyboards. The learning curve is higher for users who do not speak French well.
• The language and frequency of the keyboard layout: Qwerty keyboards are easier to learn and use for most people, as they are optimized for English, which is the most widely spoken language in the world. The letters are arranged based on the frequency and combinations of letters in English, which can enhance learning and typing speed for English speakers. Qwerty keyboards are also very common in computing and typing courses, so many people learn them from a young age. Users who know other Latin-based keyboard layouts can also adapt to Qwerty keyboards easily, as some keys are similar.

Keyboard layout preference depends on factors like language requirements, familiarity, and personal comfort. Azerty is ideal for French typists, offering easy access to accented characters. Qwerty is widely used and versatile, compatible with multiple languages and software.

Conclusion

In summary, whether Azerty is better than Qwerty has still been a hot topic over the years. Qwerty is widely used around the world, while Azerty is mainly designed for French speakers. Each layout has its own advantages and disadvantages for different purposes. The best layout depends on the user's preferences, goals, and language. The persistent "Azerty vs Qwerty" debate highlights the need for user-centered design in the tech industry.

FAQs

Which keyboard is better: QWERTY or AZERTY?

Whether Qwerty or Azerty is better depends on individual preferences, language requirements, and familiarity. If you frequently type in French, Azerty might be more efficient and convenient for you. However, if you work with software that assumes a Qwerty layout, or often switch between languages, Qwerty might be a more suitable option for you due to its universal compatibility.

Who uses AZERTY?

The Azerty keyboard layout is primarily used by individuals who speak French, especially those who reside in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This layout is specifically designed for the French language, making it easier and more efficient to type in French as compared to the Qwerty keyboard layout.

Can I switch between Azerty and Qwerty easily?

Yes, it is easy to switch between Azerty and Qwerty keyboard layouts on your Windows computer. For Windows 11, simply press the Windows key and the spacebar to switch between the two layouts. On Windows 10 and 8, you can use the Alt key and the Shift key to switch between the two. If you are using an Azerty keyboard, you can use the Shift key and the Alt Gr key to switch between the two layouts.

Which is more comfortable between the Azerty vs Qwerty layout?

Whether Azerty or Qwerty keyboard layout is more comfortable largely depends on personal preference and language requirements. Qwerty is more globally recognized and used, while Azerty provides input methods for accented characters and French-language keyboard shortcuts. Both offer adequate ergonomic support for users.

How to quickly switch between QWERTY and AZERTY keyboards?

To quickly switch between Qwerty and Azerty keyboard settings, you have several key combinations at your disposal: [ALT] + [Shift], [Shift] + [ALT], or [Shift] + [Alt Gr] if you're using an Azerty keyboard. These combinations allow for seamless transitions between the two layouts with just a few keystrokes.