Ergonomic Monitor Setup and body posture (Source: Pixabay) However, experts point out that your hands, shoulder, and body should align with the keyboard to increase productivity. Similarly, assuming correct hand posture means you can reach each key within a flick of time, helping with typing faster. Therefore, the proper hand position is essential to ward off health problems. MedilinePlus.Gov reports that carpal tunnel syndrome is estimated to affect 1 to 5 percent of adults annually, with the incidence of CTS and repetitive injury rising, with 1-3 cases per 1000 subjects yearly.Īlthough cubital tunnel syndrome is less seen than carpal tunnel syndrome, it has risen, especially among computer users. When you bend the elbow often, the ulnar nerve gets irritated or compressed inside your elbow. Pressure on a nerve in your wrist leads to tingling, numbness, and pain throughout the palm, caused by wrist overuse. Problemĭamage to muscles, tendons, or nerves is caused by repetitive motions such as typing, moving the mouse, writing, etc. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons points out that RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and cubital tunnel syndrome are more familiar to users with poor typing practice. Anatomy of the carpal tunnel (Source: Wikimedia) Poor typing and posture can lead to many problems, including repetitive strain injury (RSI) of muscles and tendons. Most computer users make the mistake of incorrectly resting their hands on the keyboard, affecting their productivity and health. In short, yes! A correct hand position will be a game-changer when it comes to typing. What is the Correct Hand Position for Typing?.Space can be a problem with a smaller netbook or laptop keyboard. Note: If you feel cramped in the home row position, try spreading your fingers a little. Once your index fingers learn the location of the correct Home Keys, placing your remaining fingers on their proper keys is simple. The bumps make it easier to feel your way onto the correct index finger home keys. Some QWERTY keyboards have a little raised bump on the “F” and “J” keys. If your hands are off to one side, you might think you’re reaching for the right key, but you’ll be missing it and will type the letter or number to its left or right instead. When your hands learn to automatically return to this position, you’ll be able to accurately position your fingers to hit the correct keys when typing. If you’re new to typing, take some time to get comfortable with the location of the Home Row keys and proper Home Row finger placement. This is really a matter of personal preference. Some people use only one thumb (for example their left), while others use a combination.

You can use either thumb to press the space bar. Rest both of your thumbs on the space bar. The right-hand index finger is on the letter J. The right-hand second finger is on the letter K. The right-hand ring finger is on the letter L. The little finger on your right hand is on the semicolon. The left-hand index finger is on the letter F. The left-hand second finger is on the letter D. The left-hand ring finger is on the letter S.

The little finger on your left hand is on the letter A. Here’s where your fingers should be when they’re properly positioned in “rest” mode: So get into the habit of placing these eight fingers on the eight corresponding keys on the Home Row. Positioning your fingers on the Home Row is always the starting position whenever you begin a touch typing session. When you’re touch typing, the Home Row is where the four fingers of your left hand and the four fingers of your right hand will remain whenever they are not in use.

Keyboarding finger placement