German QWERTZ Keyboards

Keyboards in the German QWERTZ layout (ISO-DE) with the tall enter key, the extra key next to the left shift, and all umlauts within easy reach. Here you'll find fully built boards and ISO-ready kits that work straight away – for anyone used to typing in German.

German QWERTZ keyboards: mechanical boards in ISO-DE

A mechanical keyboard with German layout has QWERTZ arrangement, with umlauts and ß right on the keys. The ISO layout differs from ANSI: the Enter key is tall and spans two rows, the left shift is shorter with an extra key next to it for < > |. On the right, AltGr replaces Alt for the third character level, used for @ and € for example. An ISO-DE keyboard has 105 keys in full-size and 88 as a TKL.

When an ISO-DE keyboard fits

If you type in German every day, ISO-DE spares you the adjustment and layout compromises. Your operating system decides which character a key produces, but key shapes and legends need to match the layout.

What has to match

For a keyboard to work as ISO-DE you need three things: a PCB with ISO positions, a plate with the right cutouts for the ISO enter, and keycaps from an ISO-DE set. Some boards come only with the German ISO layout, others in either ISO or ANSI. For kits without keycaps, pick a matching set from keycaps with German layout.

Choosing a size

ISO-DE is available in several sizes, from 75% to full-size. Our guide keyboard sizes & layouts explains what is missing and what stays. Fully built models are ready to use right away; with kits you choose switches and keycaps yourself. In-stock items ship from Germany within one business day.