Start with two keys: F and J. They are the ones with bumps. When that lap feels easy, choose the next pair above the game.
Your first five steps
| Step | Keys | Fingers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F and J | The two pointers. Feel for the bumps. |
| 2 | D and K | The two middle fingers, next door. |
| 3 | S and L | The two ring fingers. |
| 4 | A | The left pinky. Real words start here: dad, add, ask. |
| 5 | G and H | The pointers stretch to the middle and come back. |
After step 5 you know the whole home row, the middle row of letters where your fingers rest.
Three rules for a beginner
- The same finger for the same key, every time. The keyboard above shows each key in the color of its finger.
- Right before fast. A wrong key waits for the right one. There is no clock here.
- Looking down is fine. Finding the keys is the first job. Looking up comes later.
How long should a first session be?
A few laps. Stop while it is still fun and come back tomorrow. Short and often is easier to keep up than long and rare.
What comes after the home row?
Reaching up to the top row, then down to the bottom row. The typing lessons page lists all 100 lessons in order, and typing practice has laps for each row. To see which finger owns which key, open the home row keys chart. A grown-up helping a child can start with our guide to teaching a child to type.
More practice
Paragraph typing practice · Sentence typing practice · Number typing practice · Punctuation typing practice · Sight words typing practice · Capital letters typing practice · Left hand typing practice · Right hand typing practice · Typing practice by skill · Typing test
Questions
What should a beginner learn first?
F and J, the two keys with bumps, using the two pointer fingers. Then the rest of the home row, a pair of keys at a time.
Is this for children or adults?
Either. We make Bumpy Keys for ages 4 to 9, so the words are simple, but the first steps of typing are the same at any age.
Is it free?
Yes. There are no ads and nothing to sign up for.
Is there a timer?
No. Beginner laps have no clock. Stars come from careful typing.