What Is a TKL (Tenkeyless) Keyboard?
A TKL keyboard, short for tenkeyless and also called 80%, is a full-size board with the 17-key numpad sliced off and absolutely nothing else changed. That leaves 87 keys on ANSI, 88 on ISO, with the F-row, nav cluster and arrows all in their exact standard positions.
TKL (80%) ANSI: 87 keys, drawn to scale at 1u = 19.05 mm. See it next to other sizes on the keyboard sizes page.
That last point is the whole sales pitch. Every key you keep is exactly where decades of muscle memory put it, with standard spacing and standard keycap sizes, while the board sheds about 81 mm of width. It is why TKL has been the default at esports events for years: pros get mouse room without relearning a single key position, and shortcut-heavy office users get the same deal.
Exact size and dimensions
The key area of this TKL layout spans 18.25 units wide by 6.5 units deep. At the standard 19.05 mm key pitch that works out to 347.7 mm wide and 123.8 mm deep before the case bezel is added. Typical TKL cases measure around 360 x 140 mm. Because the layout is fully standardized, every keycap set fits, and ISO versions (88 keys) are widely produced.
What keys does a TKL keyboard drop?
- 17-key numpad. That is the entire list.
Number entry moves to the number row, or to NumLock layers on boards that offer them. Heavy spreadsheet users pair a TKL with a standalone numpad on the left or wherever it is comfortable, which is arguably better ergonomics than a fixed right-hand numpad anyway, since the mouse sits closer to your shoulder line.
Who a TKL keyboard suits
- FPS and competitive gamers: full standard layout plus real mouse room.
- Office and shortcut power users who touch the numpad rarely.
- Anyone who refuses to relearn key positions but wants a smaller board.
- Keycap collectors, since TKL compatibility is universal.
Try the size before you buy it
The cheapest way to test a form factor is on screen. Open this exact layout in our keyboard builder to restyle it, paint keys and price a real build, or type on it with sound in the switch simulator. Pair the layout decision with a switch decision while you are at it: browse the switch library or jump straight to community favorites like the Gateron Oil King and Boba U4T. And if a flaky key is what pushed you to shop, run your current board through the keyboard tester first.
Pros
- + Zero learning curve: every kept key is in its standard spot
- + Frees about 81 mm of desk width for the mouse
- + Universal keycap compatibility
- + Huge selection from budget to high-end custom
Cons
- - No numpad for number-heavy work
- - Still a wide board next to a 75% or 65%
- - Retains rarely used keys like ScrLk and Pause that smaller sizes cut
Frequently asked questions
What does TKL or tenkeyless mean?
The "ten keys" are the numpad digits 0 to 9. A tenkeyless board removes the whole 17-key numpad block while keeping everything else identical to full-size, hence 87 keys instead of 104 on ANSI.
Why do esports pros use TKL keyboards?
Low sensitivity aiming needs desk width, and the numpad is dead weight in games. Cutting it frees about 81 mm for mouse swipes while keeping WASD, mods, F-keys and arrows in their standard spots, so nothing about their training changes.
Is TKL or 75% better?
They carry nearly the same keys. TKL gives you standard spacing and effortless keycap shopping at 18.25u wide; 75% compresses the same essentials into 16.25u. Pick TKL for standardization, 75% for desk space.