Difference between revisions of "Unit"
(Added key pitch, and some corrections) |
(Added note from a Siemens PDF citing DIN standards for 19.05 mm; helpfully Siemens neglected to put a date on the document, but it's the one with STB 11 and 21 in it) |
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[[File:Keycap sizes -- assorted units.jpg|thumb|250px|Assorted keycap sizes; clockwise from top-left: 1 unit, 1.75 unit, 1.25 unit, 1.5 unit]] | [[File:Keycap sizes -- assorted units.jpg|thumb|250px|Assorted keycap sizes; clockwise from top-left: 1 unit, 1.75 unit, 1.25 unit, 1.5 unit]] | ||
| − | A '''unit''' is a measurement of keyboard key width, based on the size of a normal letter key (which is 1 unit tall by 1 unit wide). One unit is the distance from one key to the next; keycaps are fractionally less than their unit size to allow for gaps between keys. The spacing between single-unit keys is referred to as the '''key pitch''' or pitch of the keyboard. | + | A '''unit''' is a measurement of keyboard key width, based on the size of a normal letter key (which is 1 unit tall by 1 unit wide). |
| + | |||
| + | ==Details== | ||
| + | One unit is the distance from one key to the next; keycaps are fractionally less than their unit size to allow for gaps between keys. The spacing between single-unit keys is referred to as the '''key pitch''' or pitch of the keyboard. | ||
Key sizes are usually in multiples of ½ (0.5) or ¼ (0.25) unit. For instance, a typical [[space bar]] for a modern PC keyboard is 6.25 units wide, taking up the same space as six and one quarter one-unit keys. | Key sizes are usually in multiples of ½ (0.5) or ¼ (0.25) unit. For instance, a typical [[space bar]] for a modern PC keyboard is 6.25 units wide, taking up the same space as six and one quarter one-unit keys. | ||
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[[File:Unit.svg|center]] | [[File:Unit.svg|center]] | ||
| − | On a full-size keyboard, 1 unit is normally 0.75 inches (19.05 mm). | + | Note that one unit of height may be different from one unit of width on a keyboard. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Unit width== | ||
| + | On a full-size keyboard, 1 unit is normally 0.75 inches (19.05 mm). An undated Siemens Switches and Pushbuttons Data Book notes the following: | ||
| − | + | :Mittenabstand – wichtig für die Fingerbreite – nach DIN 2112 und 2127 19,05 mm Teilung für Tastenkappen | |
| + | :Center spacing – important as regards finger width – in accordance with DIN 2112 and 2127 – 19.05 mm spacing for keytops | ||
| − | + | [[Cherry G84 series]], with [[Cherry ML]] switches, allegedly has a reduced unit size of 18.05 mm (18 mm has been measured on a G84-4400). | |
| − | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
Revision as of 23:38, 11 October 2016
A unit is a measurement of keyboard key width, based on the size of a normal letter key (which is 1 unit tall by 1 unit wide).
Details
One unit is the distance from one key to the next; keycaps are fractionally less than their unit size to allow for gaps between keys. The spacing between single-unit keys is referred to as the key pitch or pitch of the keyboard.
Key sizes are usually in multiples of ½ (0.5) or ¼ (0.25) unit. For instance, a typical space bar for a modern PC keyboard is 6.25 units wide, taking up the same space as six and one quarter one-unit keys.
Note that one unit of height may be different from one unit of width on a keyboard.
Unit width
On a full-size keyboard, 1 unit is normally 0.75 inches (19.05 mm). An undated Siemens Switches and Pushbuttons Data Book notes the following:
- Mittenabstand – wichtig für die Fingerbreite – nach DIN 2112 und 2127 19,05 mm Teilung für Tastenkappen
- Center spacing – important as regards finger width – in accordance with DIN 2112 and 2127 – 19.05 mm spacing for keytops
Cherry G84 series, with Cherry ML switches, allegedly has a reduced unit size of 18.05 mm (18 mm has been measured on a G84-4400).
Gallery
2 × 1 unit, 1 × 1.25 unit
2 × 1 unit, 1 × 1.5 unit
2 × 1 unit, 1 × 1.75 unit
2 × 1 unit, 1 × 2 unit
See also
External links
- Ergonomics Made Easy — 'keypitch' definition
