The idea of one-hand typing is to touch type using only one hand (e.g. the left one), or mainly one hand. Its history and application are closely related to keyboard research on

QWERTY QWERTY () is a keyboard layout for Latin-script alphabets. The name comes from the order of the first six Computer keyboard keys#Types, keys on the top left letter row of the keyboard ( ). The QWERTY design is based on a layout created f ...

and Dvorak

keyboard layouts A keyboard layout is any specific physical, visual or functional arrangement of the keys, legends, or key-meaning associations (respectively) of a computer keyboard, mobile phone, or other computer-controlled typographic keyboard. is the actua ...

. Typing with one hand can be done in a number of ways, and novel approaches are still emerging. People handle this situation in different ways and the solution depends on whether it is necessitated by a temporary condition, as well as the pupil's physical abilities, muscle strength, and cognition and memory. Therefore, existing approaches may fit different expectations.

Benefits and drawbacks

One-handed typing can be useful in situations where one would usually need to move their dominant hand between one's keyboard and mouse or if the typist hands are otherwise occupied. A potential drawback of this method is that it can be straining on the typist's hands, which can lead to

repetitive strain injury A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an injury to part of the musculoskeletal or nervous system caused by repetitive use, vibrations, compression or long periods in a fixed position. Other common names include repetitive stress disorders, cumula ...

Using standard PC keyboard

Mirrored keyboard

The idea is to only use one hand (preferably the left one) and type the right-hand letters by holding a key which acts as a

modifier key In computing, a modifier key is a special key (or combination) on a computer keyboard that temporarily modifies the normal action of another key when pressed together. By themselves, modifier keys usually do nothing; that is, pressing any of the , ...

. The layout is mirrored, so the use of the

muscle memory Muscle memory is a form of procedural memory that involves consolidating a specific motor task into memory through repetition, which has been used synonymously with motor learning. When a movement is repeated over time, the brain creates a long-te ...

of the other hand is possible, which greatly reduces the amount of time needed to learn the layout, if the person previously used both hands to type. This was first devised by Edgar Matias et al. in 1996 and later referred to by

Randall Munroe Randall Patrick Munroe (born October 17, 1984) is an American cartoonist, author, and engineer best known as the creator of the webcomic ''xkcd''. Munroe has worked full-time on the comic since late 2006. In addition to publishing a book of th ...

on his

xkcd ''xkcd'', sometimes styled ''XKCD'', is a webcomic created in 2005 by American author Randall Munroe. The comic's tagline describes it as "a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language". Munroe states on the comic's website that the name ...

blog.

Hand homeposition on FGHJ

Using a standard keyboard, the one-handed typist must move from side to side to cover all the keys. Ideally, this typist should keep their main hand on FGHJ, but they will inevitably be forced to leave the home keys or stretch like a concert pianist to reach all the letters. Without using a second hand as an aid (for example, the right shift key), most capital letters require a time-consuming excursion to one side or the other. This reduces efficiency and frustrates the typist.

Special keyboard layout

Some single-hand keyboard layouts exist, such as the " one-handed Dvorak" and the
left hand Ngaih
.

References