When shopping for a mechanical keyboard or comparing different layout sizes, one of the most common questions that comes up is: How many keys does a full size keyboard have?
The short and most widely accepted answer is:
A standard full size keyboard has 104 keys.
But that’s not the whole story. Depending on the region, layout standard, and manufacturer, a full size keyboard can have 104, 105, 108, or even 109 keys. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly why the number varies, what each key cluster includes, how full size key layouts compare to compact keyboards, and why key count still matters.
A full size keyboard always includes:
Because the number pad is included, the full size layout remains the most complete, versatile option for productivity, editing, and gaming. For a complete breakdown of what defines this layout, check out What Is a Full Size Keyboard?
If you’re in the United States, Canada, or most of Asia, you are likely using the ANSI layout.
A standard ANSI full size keyboard includes:
Total: 104 keys
This is the most common full size layout used in gaming keyboards, office keyboards, and mechanical keyboards sold internationally.
Europe often uses the ISO layout, which adds or rearranges keys compared to ANSI.
ISO layouts typically include:
This results in:
Total: usually 105 keys
Japanese JIS layouts include extra keys for language switching and punctuation.
You may see:
This leads to:
Total: 108 or 109 keys
There are three main reasons:
Each region requires different characters or input methods.
Some brands add extra M-keys, volume wheels, or shortcut buttons, which increase the count beyond 104.
Modern models such as wireless mechanical keyboards or RGB gaming boards often include:
These do not change the “full size” classification, but they do change the total key count.
Yes.
But not every full size keyboard will always have exactly 104 keys.
What defines “full size keyboard” is:
A keyboard with 105 or 108 keys is still full size as long as it contains the full traditional layout.
You may wonder why the exact number of keys is important.
Here’s why key count is still a major consideration in the keyboard world:
A full size keyboard is essential for:
The 17-key numpad accelerates input speed dramatically and reduces strain.
Many gamers prefer full size keyboards because:
With the rise of 8K polling rate gaming keyboards, full size layouts now offer peak performance as well.
Video editors, designers, and developers benefit from:
Compact keyboards remove keys, move keys, or require multi-layer shortcuts. A full size keyboard maintains the traditional layout many users learned on.
A full size keyboard typically has 104 keys, though ISO and JIS layouts can increase that number to 105, 108, or 109. While key count defines how many keys a 100% layout includes, the physical size can vary based on design and features. You can explore physical measurements in our guide: Full Size Keyboard Dimensions.
Whether you’re working, gaming, editing, or programming, the full size keyboard remains the most complete and versatile option available. If you rely on shortcuts, macros, input speed, or comfort, the 100% layout is still one of the best choices.
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