How to use the keyboard test
- Press Start keyboard test so the page begins listening for key presses.
- Press every key on your keyboard once. Each key lights up on the layout and stays tinted so you can see what is left.
- Look for keys that never light up. Those are the ones that are not registering.
- Hold several keys at once and watch the most keys held counter to check rollover.
- Press Esc twice quickly, or click Stop, to end the test. Use Reset to clear the results and start again.
How to read the results
- A key lights up when pressed: the switch, the connection and the signal are all working for that key.
- A key never lights up: it is not registering. Press it firmly a few more times before assuming it has failed.
- A key stays in the held list: it may be sticking, or its release signal was lost. Press it again to clear it.
- Most keys held at once: a rough measure of rollover. Hold as many keys as you can and see where the number stops.
- Other keys detected: keys that are not part of the standard layout, such as the extra key on ISO keyboards or multimedia keys.
What this test cannot detect
A web page only sees what the browser and operating system pass along. The Fn key is usually handled inside the keyboard, so it never reaches the page. Some system keys, including Windows, Command and often Print Screen, may be taken by the operating system first. Browser shortcuts such as Ctrl+W and Alt+F4 are also reserved. If one of those stays dark, it does not prove the key is broken.
How many keys should your keyboard have?
The layout above is a full-size 104-key keyboard. Smaller boards simply leave some keys out, so compare against your own layout.
| Keyboard size | Keys | What is missing |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size | 104 | Nothing |
| Tenkeyless (TKL) | 87 | The 17 numeric keypad keys |
| 60 percent | 61 | Function row, navigation cluster and numeric keypad |
Who this is for
- Buyers of used laptops and keyboardsPress every key in a minute and catch dead keys before you pay.
- Anyone with a key that types twice or not at allConfirm whether the fault is the keyboard or a setting in one program.
- GamersCheck how many keys register at once for fast, multi-key inputs.
- Mechanical keyboard buildersVerify every switch after soldering or hot-swapping a new set.
- IT and repair techniciansRun a quick pass on returned or newly issued machines.
- Anyone after a spillFind out which keys survived before deciding whether to replace the board.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean if a key never lights up?
The browser did not receive a signal from that key. Press it a few more times, firmly and flat, in case it was a weak press. If it still stays dark, the switch under the keycap may have failed, the key may be debris-blocked, or the key is one the operating system handles before the browser sees it.
Does this page record or send what I type?
No. It only highlights keys on the layout above and keeps a running count in your browser. There is no text box, nothing you press is typed anywhere, and nothing is saved or sent to a server.
Why do some keys, like Fn or the Windows key, not respond?
Fn is usually handled inside the keyboard itself, so the browser never hears about it. Keys such as Windows, Command and Print Screen can be claimed by the operating system first, and some combinations like Ctrl+W or Alt+F4 are reserved by the browser. A dark key in that group is not necessarily broken.
What are rollover and ghosting, and how do I check mine?
Rollover is how many keys a keyboard can report at once, and ghosting is when it invents or drops a key during a multi-key press. Hold as many keys as you can and read the most keys held counter. Many basic USB keyboards report around six at a time, while gaming boards often report far more.
A key stays highlighted after I let go. Is that normal?
If the held keys readout still lists it after release, the key may be sticking, or the keyup signal was lost. Try pressing it again. If it keeps appearing as held, clean around the keycap or test it in another app to rule out this page.
Will it work with a non-US layout or a laptop keyboard?
Yes. The test reads the physical position of each key, not the letter printed on it, so AZERTY, QWERTZ and other layouts all work. Extra keys such as the ISO key next to left Shift appear under other keys detected. Laptops simply have fewer keys than the full layout shown.
Can I test the keyboard on my phone or tablet?
Only a physical keyboard, such as a Bluetooth or USB one, works. On-screen touch keyboards do not report individual physical keys the way this test needs.
How many keys should I expect to light up?
A full-size keyboard has 104 keys, a tenkeyless one has 87, and a 60 percent board has 61. The counter shows how many of the 104 layout keys you have pressed, so on a smaller keyboard it will never reach 104.