How Many Keys On A 65 Keyboard?

How Many Keys On A 65 Keyboard?
January 19, 2021 Sandis Mukans
In Keyboards
65 keyboard key count

In this article, we will review some of the best 65 keyboards and see how many keys do they have. Not all 65 keyboards have the same amount of keys.

Also, we will take a look at few non-standard 65 keyboards. For example, at a 65 keyboard with split spacebar and keyboard with function keys.

We have this extremely detailed side to side comparison of the 13 best 65% keyboards out there. It is a must-see 65 keyboard review for everyone who came to this article.

Now let’s find out how many keys are there on a 65 keyboard.

Most 65 keyboards have 68 keys. Only 30% of 65 keyboards have 67 keys. Some exceptions are the Leopold FC660M 65 keyboard with 66 keys and Velocifire TKL71WS with 71 keys. As most 65 keyboards don’t have Numpad and function keys, they have 36 keys less than regular keyboards.

Interestingly the most expensive 65  keyboards are more likely to have 67 keys than 68 keys.

For example, the Drop ALT mechanical keyboard costs $180.00, and it has 67 keys. Such popular and above the $100 mark 65 keyboards as Ducky ONE 2 SF and Ducky x Varmilo MIYA Pro have 67 keys.

65 keyboard amount of keys

Whereas such popular 65 keyboards as Tada68, Akko 3068, and Keychron K6 have 68 keys. Each of these keyboards cost less than $100.

 

Number of keys on 65% keyboards

See the list of TOP10 65% keyboards and number of keys they have.

65% keyboard

Amount of keys

Drop ALT

67

Ducky One 2 SF

67

Ducky x Varmilo MIYA Pro

67

Durgod Hades 68

68

Velocifire TKL71WS

71

Akko 3068

68

Keychron K6

68

EPOMAKER GK68X

68

Leopold FC660M

66

Tada68

68

 

From this list, only Ducky x Varmilo MIYA Pro and Keychron K6 are macOS compatible keyboards. 

Ducky x Varmilo MIYA Pro 65% keyboard has 67 keys.

Keychron K6 has 68 keys.

As you can see, options are quite limited For Mac users willing to get their first 65% keyboard.

But the good news is that both Ducky x Varmilo MIYA Pro and Keychron K6 are quality keyboards with lots of features.

Especially Keychron K6. It has:

  • hot-swappable keys
  • RGB lighting
  • wireless/ USB-C connection

One thing that it’s missing out on is PBT keycaps. As you might already know, ABS keycaps (like the ones on Keychron K6) tend to wear down and get glossy quite fast.

Upgrading to PBT keycaps is easy. A reasonably priced set of PBT keycaps for a 65% keyboard will set you back about $30.

 

Best 65% keyboard with arrow keys

Basically, all 65 keyboards have dedicated arrow keys.

Those are the 60 keyboards that come without arrow keys. By getting a 65% keyboard, you won’t have to get used to a keyboard that doesn’t have arrow keys.

Although those who have 60% keyboards say that they’re pretty easy to use once you got used to them.

60 percent keyboards usually have 61 keys. That’s seven keys less than 65 percent keyboards usually have.

 

Best 65% keyboard with function keys

To get a 65% keyboard with functions keys, you basically have to search for a TKL keyboard. TKL stands for tenkeyless. TKL keyboard still has the function keys, but the Numpad is gone.

Such keyboards are getting popular among gamers.

For example, Shroud uses a Logitech G Pro X Mechanical Gaming keyboard. This keyboard is only 1.54″ wider than the rest of the 65 keyboards on average. Its width is 6.02″.

best 65 keyboard with function keys

The number of keys on the Logitech G Pro X Mechanical Gaming keyboard and the 65 keyboards on average differ only by 15.

Some gamers use 60% keyboards. For example, Clix. He also has a sponsorship deal with Matrix Keyboards. Look it up. The red and black Clix x Matrix 60% keyboard can be bought for $114.99 on the Matrix Keyboards official website.

So if you’re willing to purchase a 65% keyboard that has functions keys, consider getting one from these keyboards:

  • Logitech G Pro X Mechanical Gaming keyboard
  • Razer Hunstman Tournament Edition Gaming keyboard
  • SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Gaming keyboard

Note that all of these keyboards will have RGB lighting. If this is a feature you would like to avoid having on your keyboard, consider getting Drevo Gramr Mechanical Keyboard with a white LED.

 

Best 65% keyboard with a split spacebar

So the most 65 keyboards have 68 keys. Nevertheless, few manufacturers have thought of clever ways to increase the number of keys on the 65 keyboard.

Epomaker GK68X has a neat feature that allows to split up the standard spacebar into three different keys. The space key module allows converting the spacebar into  2.75u, 2.25u, and 1.25u keycaps.

best 65 keyboard with split spacebar

So it is possible to turn this 68 key keyboard into a 71 key keyboard.

Its advanced spacebar module is only one of many cool features that this 65 keyboard has.

Epomaker GK68X also has:

  • hot-swappable keys
  • dye-subbed PBT keycaps
  • wireless/UCB-C connection
  • 16.8 million RGB lighting
  • aluminum case

With that said, Epomaker GK68X is definitely the best 65% keyboard with a split spacebar.

 

Is there a 65% keyboard with Numpad available?

Check out the Vortex ViBE Dye Sub PBT mechanical keyboard.

It is a 78% keyboard, and it has 79 keys. That’s 11 keys more than 65 keyboards usually have on average. However, 65 percent keyboards with 67 and 71 keys can be found as well.

Vortex ViBE has a layout of a 60% keyboard, but with Numpad attached to it.

It has a floating key design with the key switches exposed from the sides, which isn’t a widespread solution among other keyboard manufacturers. It looks good, though. PBT SA profile keycaps add a little bit more uniqueness to this keyboard.

See how its dimensions compare to the average dimensions of a 65% keyboard.

Keyboard

Lenght

Width

Height

Vortex ViBE Dye Sub PBT mechanical keyboard

14.06″

3.89″

1.49″

Average 65% keyboard

13.05″

4.48″

1.53″

 

Vortex ViBE Dye Sub PBT mechanical keyboard is the best keyboard equivalent of a 60% keyboard, but with a Numpad.

Its price on mechanicalkeyboards.com is $139.00. That’s quite pricey compared to the average cost of 65% keyboards, which is $94.

If you’re on a tight budget, check out the Qisan Magicforce 65, which in our opinion, is the best budget 65 keyboard.

 

What is the mumber of keys on a 60% keyboard?

60% keyboards usually have neither the function keys nor the Numpad. They don’t even have dedicated arrows.

Usually, the amount of keys on a 60% keyboard is 61. Compared to a 65% keyboard, that’s 7 keys less. 60% keyboards are the most compact keyboards available on the market. First-time 60 keyboard users will miss the dedicated arrow keys, but they will get used to the minimalistic layout with time.

If you would consider getting a 60 keyboard, check out these two keyboards:

  • Massdrop ALT
  • Ducky One 2 Mini

These keyboards are the 60% versions of previously mentioned Drop ALT and Ducky One 2 SF 65% keyboards.

Dop ALT is our favorite 65% keyboard. It has a modern design and all the features you would expect to have on the keyboard.

TKL or 65% keyboards are a good solution for intense gaming sessions and aesthetically pleasing workplace spaces. The amount of keys on a keyboard usually isn’t the main reason to choose one keyboard over the other. Except if the decision has to be made between a 65% and 60% keyboard.

Regarding the 65% keyboards, most of them will have either 67 or 68 keys.

So it will mainly depend on what features do the keyboards have. Here are some features to look for when choosing a keyboard:

  • PBT keycaps
  • Quality switches (Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh)
  • Programmability
  • Aluminum case for greater durability
  • RGB lighting (if you’re into gaming)
  • Wireless connection

Note that getting a 65% keyboard might become your new hobby. Many users tend to customize their compact keyboards to match their gaming or working room setup. Reddit is the place where many 65 keyboard enthusiasts meet and share their custom builds.