TKL vs Full size - Which Keyboard Size is Better for You?

TKL vs full size keyboard are both popular choices in the keyboard world. TKL (Tenkeyless) removes the right numpad, making the keyboard more compact and saving space. Meanwhile, the full size includes a numpad, suitable for jobs that require numeric input. The best keyboard will be the one that suits your preferences and daily work needs.

Overview of TKL Keyboard

Tenkeyless keyboard (TKL), also known as 80%, was first launched in the late 80s. TKL keyboard has 87 keys with full letter keys, function keys, and navigation keys like a full-size keyboard, only removing the number pad on the right. It is also still designed with the original layout, so it provides both a familiar and more compact experience.

Features:

• 87 - 88 keys
• No numpad
• Original layout
• 14 - 15 inches long

Pros	Cons
Compact design Retain all function keys Take up less desk space Close proximity between keys provides comfort and reduces hand fatigue when typing	No numpad More expensive than full-size keyboard

Determining the best TKL keyboard may depend on your personal needs and preferences. However, you can refer to some TKL keyboards that are highly appreciated by the user community and experts below:

• Durgod Taurus K320
• Ducky One 2
• WASD Code V3
• Vortexgear Cypher
• Drop CTRL

Overview of Full Size Keyboard

Full-size keyboards are the most common and familiar type of keyboard. It has all the standard keys you'd expect to find on a keyboard, including letter keys, number keys, symbol keys, function keys, modifier keys, arrow keys, and a numeric keypad. Full-size keyboards typically have 104, 105, or 108 keys, depending on the ANSI (US), ISO (EU), or JIS (Japan) layout. It offers all the necessary functions, so it's a good choice for general uses, such as typing, gaming, and data entry.

Features:

• 104, 105, or 108 keys
• Has all the keys
• 17 - 18 inches long

Pros	Cons
Familiar layout Maximum flexibility Fully functional with all function keys, arrow keys, numpad, traditional keys Separate number keys High availability Flexible for many different jobs	Large size, takes up a lot of space Move your hands a lot when working

If you are interested in full size keyboards, please refer to some famous ones on the market that we have collected:

• Razer BlackWidow V3
• Logitech G915 TKL
• Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT
• Ducky One 2 SF
• Leopold FC980M

Related Articles

• 15 Best Tenkeyless (TKL) Mechanical Keyboards
• ANSI vs ISO Keyboard Layout: Which is better?
• How Many Keys are on a 100% Full Size Mechanical Keyboard? 

TKL vs Full Size Keyboard: Detail Comparisons

As keyboard enthusiasts and productivity seekers, choosing between the TKL vs full-size keyboard is extremely important. Both offer distinct advantages and cater to specific needs. Let's take a look at the quick comparison table of TKL vs full size keyboard and then learn the details of each part to have a clearer view of which is best for you.

Feature	TKL Keyboard	Full-size Keyboard
Keyboard Layout and Size	Compact layout 14 - 15 inches long  6 inches wide	Traditional layout 17 - 18 inches 6 - 8 inches wide
Functionality and Key Placement	87 - 88 keys No numpad	104, 105 or 108 keys Have all the keys
Portability and Compactness	Higher portability Smaller size	Low portability Largest size
Price Range and Availability	Cheaper price Easy to buy Increasingly popular	More expensive More pricing options More popular Easy to buy
Compatibility	Works well with many operating systems, switches and keycap profiles Fewer shortcuts or macro keys	Works well with many operating systems, switches and keycap profiles
Ergonomics	Close hand spacing Reduce strain on wrists and shoulders	Takes up a lot of space Large hand distances cause fatigue
Typing Experience	Comfortable typing position Cannot meet data-related tasks	Provides precision and smoothness Suitable for data work
Gaming Performance	Suitable for games that require fast mouse movements such as FPS	Perfect keyboard for gaming Suitable for multitasking games like MOBA or RTS

Keyboard Layout and Size

There is a slight difference in the keyboard layout and size of the TKL vs full size keyboard. Standard TKL keyboards retain the necessary keys and only remove the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard. This reduces the overall size creating a more compact keyboard. Although specific dimensions may vary depending on the specific manufacturer and model, a TKL keyboard is typically about 14 - 15 inches long and about 6 inches wide.

Meanwhile, the full-size keyboard includes all the traditional keys, including the number part on the right side, so it is larger in size than the TKL. Full size keyboard sizes usually range from 17 - 18 inches and 6 - 8 inches in width. The layout closely resembles a traditional typewriter keyboard, with all keys arranged in standard positions.

Functionality and Key Placement

The TKL keyboard layout usually has 87 keys including the necessary keys for typing text and playing games, including letter keys, number keys, function keys, navigation keys and other function keys such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt. It is designed to eliminate the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard, thus providing a more compact design. This saves space on your office or gaming desk.

Meanwhile, full-size keyboards have the most keys with 104, 105 or 108 keys, the number of keys varies by manufacturing region ANSI (US), ISO (EU), or JIS (Japan). The full-size keyboard has a full set of keys, from letter keys, number keys, function keys, navigation keys, function keys to the full set of number keys on the right. Having too many keys can cause users to be confused when using them or some keys are not used.

Portability and Compactness

Although not in the top compact keyboards, TKL is still more compact and portable than full-size keyboards. TKL keyboards are often easier to move and carry thanks to their more compact size (14 - 15 inches). This makes TKL a suitable choice for people who often need to travel for work. The compact design of the TKL keyboard also saves space on the desk, allowing more space for a mouse or other desk items.

On the other hand, full size keyboards are usually larger in size (17 - 18 inches) due to retaining the numpad, which makes them less convenient to travel or carry. It also takes up more space on the desk resulting in less space for mouse movement.

Price Range and Availability

The price of TKL vs full size keyboards can vary depending on many factors such as brand, material and features. Even though a full-size keyboard has a numpad as well as some additional features such as RGB, metal frame or dedicated media controls, the price is still cheaper. Meanwhile, the TKL keyboard has fewer keys but costs more, which may be because users tend to pay more for a more reasonable size.

Both TKL vs full-size keyboards are available on the market with many options from different manufacturers such as Corsair, Logitech, Razer and Cooler Master. You can easily buy TKL vs full size keyboards at official stores, keyboard retailers or online via KBDfans, CannonKeys, Drop...

However, full-size keyboards are a traditional keyboard design and have been around longer than the TKL, so they are available in more computer and technology retailers. Full-size keyboards also have more options in terms of brands, designs, features and prices.

On the other hand, TKL keyboards are becoming increasingly popular in recent years due to the increase in demand for compact and space-saving devices. Although not as diverse as full size, it still has many reputable options at many different prices.

Compatibility

TKL vs full-size keyboards are generally compatible with popular operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. Both of these keyboards are designed with a standard USB connection port or Bluetooth support, so they can connect to most computers and mobile devices easily. 

TKL vs full-size keyboards have a standard design so they are compatible with switches such as Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh as well as famous keycap profiles such as OEM, Cherry and SA.

Both TKL vs full-size keyboards can come with special features like RGB backlighting, multimedia shortcut keys, or macro keys. However, TKL does not have a numpad so there are fewer shortcuts or macro keys than a full-size keyboard, so the use of these functions is quite limited. 

Ergonomics

The ergonomics of TKL vs full-size keyboards often differ significantly, which can affect your experience.

TKL keyboard with numpad removal design provides a more compact size than full-size keyboards, helping to save more space on the desk. Therefore, you can place the mouse in a closer position, helping to reduce stress on your wrists and shoulders when working for long periods of time.

Meanwhile, with an integrated numpad, full-size keyboards are often larger in size and take up more space on the desk. This can increase the distance between the keyboard and mouse, increasing strain on the wrists and shoulders with prolonged use. However, if you often use the numpad, such as doing accounting or entering large amounts of data, a full-size keyboard will be better than the TKL because your fingers will not have to move much. The final choice between TKL vs full-size keyboard depends on your usage needs and personal preferences.

Typing Experience 

TKL vs full size keyboards are both keyboards suitable for the office, but each type will be suitable for different tasks. The TKL keyboard with its compact design helps maintain a more comfortable hand and shoulder posture, minimizing the risk of muscle fatigue. However, the lack of a numpad is a big obstacle for people who often do work related to numbers. It makes data entry difficult and reduces performance for tasks that require accuracy and speed, such as entering data into spreadsheets or accounting software.

Therefore, when it comes to typing experience, a full-size keyboard will often be the preferred choice for this task. The full-size keyboard offers more space for hands, making typing more comfortable, especially for those who often type for long periods of time. Some types are also designed to reduce typing noise, giving you a quiet experience. The integrated Numpad on the full-size keyboard is useful for frequently entering data, writing text, or working with spreadsheets.

Gaming Performance

When comparing TKL vs full size keyboards, TKL is much weaker in providing a gaming experience. With the loss of a dedicated numpad, TKL cannot provide a good experience for games that require complex key operations such as MOBA, RTS or fly operations in the game GTA-V. However, the absence of a numpad also creates a larger space for moving the mouse, so it responds better to games that require quick and precise movement from the mouse like FPS.

A full-size keyboard with full function keys and numpad can be considered the perfect keyboard for gaming. The number keys provide additional keys to set commands and customize strategic scenarios quickly for MOBA games or use to set shortcuts for quick RTS skills. Additionally, additional function keys such as macro keys and shortcuts enhance the gaming experience by programming them to perform specific actions or trigger complex commands. However, the biggest disadvantage of a full-size keyboard is that it is too large, leading to some obstacles in playing games that require a lot of mouse movement.

The final decision between TKL vs full size keyboard depends on your preferences and gaming needs.

Both TKL vs full size keyboards have their strengths and weaknesses, so the best keyboard will be the one that suits your requirements.

If you are a writer or text editor looking for a keyboard that helps you type comfortably and reduce hand fatigue, TKL keyboards are the top candidate. With a compact design, it will help you not have to move your hand too much, while also providing more free space for the mouse to serve games that require fast mouse speed such as FPS.

Meanwhile, the full-size keyboard with a full set of keys provides a comfortable typing experience, especially ideal for those who work with numbers or use special features in text applications. room. It is also a good choice for gamers who want to use the number pad and function keys to enhance their gaming experience such as MOBA and RTS.

Conclusion

Besides considering the features of TKL vs full size keyboards, you also have to think about what purpose you use the keyboard for and what your workspace is like. Remember that no keyboard is perfect for everyone, but hopefully through this article, you can make an informed choice about the keyboard that best suits you!