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Definition: Dvorak keyboard


A keyboard layout designed in the 1930s by August Dvorak, University of Washington, and his brother-in-law, William Dealey. Almost 70% of all English words are typed on the home row compared to 32% with QWERTY keyboards, and more words are typed using both hands. In eight hours, fingers of a QWERTY typist travel 16 miles, but only one for the Dvorak user.

Only new typists gravitate to Dvorak, because no matter the advantage, it is quite difficult for experienced QWERTY touch typists to switch to a different layout. See QWERTY keyboard and keyboard types.

 Percentage of
 English Words
 Typed on
 Each Row

           Dvorak Keyboard

   22%     ' , . P Y F G C R L ?
   70%      A O E U I D H T N S -
    8%       ; Q J K X B M W V Z


           QWERTY Keyboard

   52%     Q W E R T Y U I O P
   32%      A S D F G H J K L ; '
   16%       Z X C V B N M , . /