65% Keyboards

65% keyboards are as compact as 60% boards but keep the arrow keys and usually a few navigation keys – a solid middle ground for daily use and gaming. Here you'll find finished models and kits in ISO-DE and ANSI to complete with your switches and keycaps.

65% keyboards: compact with arrow keys

A 65% keyboard usually has 67 to 68 keys. Compared with a 60% board, the arrow keys and one to three navigation keys stay, usually Del, PgUp and PgDn. The function row is gone. It's a solid middle ground: barely wider than a 60% board, but noticeably more comfortable for everyday use and gaming.

Who a 65 keyboard suits

If you use arrow keys but don't need an F-row or numpad, 65% fits well. You reach the F-keys through the Fn layer. If you want a dedicated F-row, take a look at 75% keyboards. Exact key counts are on the product pages and vary by model.

Key sizes to watch

On 65% boards the right shift is usually 1.75u wide, and the modifiers right of the spacebar are often 1u. Check that a keycap set includes these sizes. Most enthusiast sets do.

ISO-DE, hot-swap and sound

For the German layout, PCB, plate and keycaps all have to match ISO-DE. You'll find every QWERTZ board in ISO-DE keyboards. With a hot-swap PCB you can change switches later without soldering; our guide hot-swap keyboard explains how. Sound and typing feel also depend on case, plate and mounting.

Kit or prebuilt

Kits come without switches and keycaps, which you pick yourself. Fully built boards are ready to use right away. In-stock items ship from Germany within one business day.