A keyboard is a data entry or control device using a number of keys which are to be pressed by the fingers. There are two main types of keyboard:

• Alphanumeric keyboards (including the typewriter keyboard, the generic computer keyboard and its descendant the IBM PC keyboard)
• Musical keyboards, the means of operating keyboard instruments such as the piano, harpsichord and organ. Keyboard by itself often implies an electronic keyboard instrument capable of imitating the sounds of a variety of instruments, more properly named keyboard synthesizer.

Other types of keyboards, known as numeric keypads, are the

• Calculator keypad, with the 123 keys near the bottom. Many computer keyboards have this kind of numeric keypad on the right-hand side.
• The CCITT telephone keypad, with the 123 keys at the top. This is arguably the most common keyboard layout in the world, with roughly 700,000,000 telephones in the world (estimated, as of 1994). Remote control units also often have this type of keypad.

Entering text using the keyboard is usually called typing. There is also a standard for good technique that will allow typists to reduce carpal tunnel syndrome. See typing for more details.

See also

• International keyboard layouts
• Keyboard technology
• Keyboard plaque

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