Home Row Typing Practice
The home row is the middle row of letter keys on your keyboard - A S D F on the left and J K L ; on the right. It is the base every other finger movement starts from and returns to, which is why every touch typing course, including ours, begins here.
Start home row practice (Lesson 1) →The home row keys and which finger uses each
- Left little finger: A
- Left ring finger: S
- Left middle finger: D
- Left index finger: F
- Right index finger: J
- Right middle finger: K
- Right ring finger: L
- Right little finger: ; (semicolon)
- Both thumbs: space bar
Hand position
Place your index fingers on F and J - most keyboards have a small raised bump on each so you can find them by touch. Curve your fingers naturally, keep your wrists relaxed and slightly raised rather than resting heavily on the desk, and keep your eyes on the screen.
How to practice the home row
That is exactly the order our Crawling lessons teach the home row in, one small step at a time.
- Start with F and J only, alternating slowly until the movement is smooth.
- Add D and K, then S and L, then A and ;, and finally G and H.
- Return your fingers to the home position after each keystroke.
- Stay at a speed where you make almost no mistakes - aim for 95% accuracy or better.
When you are ready to move on
Once you can type the home row keys without looking and with high accuracy, move on to the top row (Q W E R T Y U I O P) and then the bottom row (Z X C V B N M). Each new row builds on the same home position.
Frequently asked questions
What are the home row keys?
A, S, D, F on the left hand and J, K, L, ; on the right hand.
Why do F and J have bumps?
The bumps let you find the home row position by touch, so you can reposition your hands without looking down.
How long should I practice the home row?
Most beginners need a few short sessions over a week or two before the home row feels automatic. Move on when you can type the keys without looking and with about 95% accuracy.
Ready to practice?
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