How to Ten Key

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Typing lessons typically teach the use of the numbers above the keyboard for entering numerical data. That's fine, if you're typing the occasional address , but if you have a lot of numbers to enter, you should learn to use the ten-key, typically to the right of a standard keyboard. Like touch-typing , you can learn to key in data this way without looking.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Ten-Key-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Ten-Key-Step-1.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press the Num Lock button until the corresponding light is on.
    • If the number lock is not on, pressing keys on the number pad will generally do the other thing that is written on them, typically some combination of arrow and page up/page down keys. [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Ten-Key-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Ten-Key-Step-2.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Often, there will be a small dimple or ridge on this key so that you can easily find it by feel.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Ten-Key-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Ten-Key-Step-3.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the "home row" position for ten-key work.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Ten-Key-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Ten-Key-Step-4.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Ten-Key-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Ten-Key-Step-5.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Type the 7 with your index finger, the 8 with your middle finger, and the 9 with your ring finger. Bring your fingers back to the home row when you are done with each of these digits.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Ten-Key-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Ten-Key-Step-6.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Type the 1 with your index finger, the 2 with your middle finger, and the 3 with your ring finger. Return your fingers to the home row when you are done with each of these digits.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Ten-Key-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Ten-Key-Step-7.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is part of the "home row" position, too.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Ten-Key-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Ten-Key-Step-8.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Ten-Key-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Ten-Key-Step-9.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Learn the decimal point key and work on entering decimal data. Type the decimal point with the ring finger. Practice typing decimal numbers.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Ten-Key-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Ten-Key-Step-10.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You will press 'enter' with your pinkie, and this completes the "home row" position. You may reach the + with either your pinkie or your ring finger, whichever is most comfortable for you. These buttons enable you to type operations directly into most calculator programs, spreadsheets , and the like.
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Ten-Key-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Ten-Key-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Ten-Key-Step-11.jpg\/aid810232-v4-728px-Ten-Key-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    As you continue to use the ten-key, you will get more fluent at it. [2]
    12. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    It seems like my fingers are too short and too long! What is the easiest way to remember the keys?
    Community Answer
    Just try to adjust your hand and fingers to make it easier, or try stretching exercises for it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 26
  • Question
    When I have a space between numbers, which finger should be used for the space bar?
    Tomáš Břoušek
    Community Answer
    The other hand, left middle finger or index finger. Right hand is resting above your numerical keypad.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 19
  • Question
    Why would anyone want to do this?
    Community Answer
    It's useful for people in the business world because their fingers don't have to move as much to hit the decimal point key, the plus sign, and more.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 25
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Removable ten-key pads are available that plug in separately. Get one if you want to place yours on the left or you would like one to go with a laptop .
        • Some laptops have a ten-key option at an angle in the middle of the standard, alphabetical keyboard. You will probably have to use a function key to turn it on. [3]
        • Some laptops have a built in ten-key pad on the right side, but the keys are smaller than normal. The key layout is usually the same, however.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Do not look at your hands. Learn the ten-key by feel and you will be able to enter information with it much more quickly.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      • Note that telephones and some calculators and other keypads are arranged differently than computer keyboards. They have the 1 on the top and the 9 on the bottom.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • As with touch typing the main keyboard, use a relaxed, neutral hand position when doing ten-key work. If you have any pain or stiffness, take a break. Take steps to prevent repetitive stress injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Keyboard with ten-key or separate ten-key pad.

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Teach Yourself to Touch Type
      How to
      Pass a Typing Test
      How to
      Switch to a Dvorak Keyboard Layout
      How To Type Letters with Accents on a Computer
      How to
      Properly Place Your Hands on a Keyboard
      How to
      Make a Degree Symbol
      6 Ways to Type an E with an Accent on Any Device
      How to
      Type the Trademark Symbol
      How to
      Type Square Root on PC or Mac
      How to
      Type
      How to
      Type a Pi 𝜋 on Windows, Mac, Android, & iPhone
      Tips to Build Your Typing Speed and Accuracy
      How to
      Type the Division Symbol
      How to
      Improve Typing Speed: Touch Typing, Ergonomics, & More
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/n/numlock.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001689.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lz_u7B8F9k

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 391,318 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement