The home row: where every finger starts
The home row is the middle row of letter keys: A S D F for the left hand and J K L ; for the right. In touch typing, your fingers rest on these keys whenever they aren't pressing something else, and every other key is reached from here. Learn this row well and the rest of the keyboard becomes a set of short, predictable moves.
Feel for the small bumps on F and J. They let you find the home position without looking down, which is the whole point of touch typing.
| Key | Finger |
|---|---|
| A | Left pinky |
| S | Left ring |
| D | Left middle |
| F, G | Left index |
| H, J | Right index |
| K | Right middle |
| L | Right ring |
| ; | Right pinky |
| Space | Either thumb |
How Course 1 is organized
The keys come in pairs, one for each hand, starting from the index fingers and moving outward: F J, then D K, then S L, then A ;, and finally G H, the two keys your index fingers reach by sliding one key toward the center. After that you type real words made only of home row letters, such as add, lad, glad, flask and salsa.
To pass Course 1 you need 95% accuracy at 10 WPM. The speed target is low on purpose. At this stage, pressing the right key with the right finger matters far more than pressing it quickly.
Common mistakes on the home row
- Looking down. It is tempting, especially on the pinky keys. Trust the bumps on F and J, and keep your eyes on the screen even if you slow down.
- Using the wrong finger for G and H. These belong to the index fingers. Reaching for G with the middle finger pulls your whole hand out of position.
- Letting the pinkies drift. The pinkies are the weakest fingers and often float off A and ;. Let them rest lightly on their keys.
- Pressing too hard. A key only needs a light tap. Pounding the keys tires your hands and slows you down.
- Hovering the hand instead of returning. After each key, the finger should come back to its home key. That return is what makes the next key easy to find.
Tips for this level
- Keep your wrists relaxed and slightly raised, not resting heavily on the desk. The typing posture guide covers the details.
- Say the key in your head as you press it. It sounds silly, but it helps link each letter to a finger.
- Short daily practice works better than long sessions. Ten minutes a day on this level is plenty.
- If you keep missing one key, stay on its level a little longer. The Review step brings your missed keys back automatically.
For a closer look at why the home row is laid out the way it is, read home row keys explained.
What's next
Once you pass Course 1, move on to Course 2: Top Row. You will reach up from the home row to the Q W E R T Y U I O P keys, always returning to the home row after each key.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the semicolon on the home row?
On the US QWERTY layout, the key under your right pinky is the semicolon. It isn't used much in normal writing, but it marks where your pinky rests.
Which thumb should press the space bar?
Either is fine. Most people settle on the thumb of their dominant hand. Keep the other thumb relaxed near the space bar.
Can I skip this level if I can already type?
You can, since every course is open. If you type with only a few fingers, though, this level is where new habits start.