Dactyl Manuform Sizes Explained

Mostly.

Dactyl Manuforms have always come in multiple size options with X rows and Y columns on each half. But that X and Y is a little deceptive on the traditional Manuform.

First, it doesn’t include the thumb cluster. The default Manuform thumb cluster has 6 keys and others have as few as 3-keys.

Second, the bottom row keys are outright missing on the Dactyl Manuform on the two innermost index-finger columns and on the pinky columns, from the fifth column outward. Only the middle-finger and ring-finger columns have the full X number of keys.

The logic behind all this is that the bottom index-column keys are replaced by the top thumb cluster keys and, since the pinky is the weakest finger, it isn’t burdened with as much work to do.

So, a fully standard 4 row x 6 column Dactyl Manuform looks like this:

Overall, the number of keys on the columns adds up like this:

3 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 20 keys on the matrix

Adding the 6 cluster keys, you get 26 keys on a side, or 52 total keys with both halves.

This is all intentional and has worked out beautifully for thousands of users. It’s indeed ergonomic and shifts the heavy lifting from the pinky to the thumb.

Great!

But these models are all generated via software, so there’s a lot more we can do. And some of us don’t like that whole missing bottom key on the pinky column thing. And others want a freakin’ full matrix.

So, we offer those, too.

We offer a Full Bottom Rows option that gives the bottom key mojo back to the pinky columns.

And we have a Whole Matrix option that skimps not at all on the rows-by-columns calculation. A 4x6 is 24 keys plus the thumb cluster keys, dammit! We worked this option into the code due to the minimalist trend in DIY keyboards towards kits with only 3 or 4 rows that rely heavily on layers to keep the hands and fingers on the home row as much as possible. They require a true matrix.

Here’s what they look like, compared with the standard 4x6 above:

Full Bottom Rows

Whole Matrix

That’s the basic craziness regarding how we size our Dactyl Manuforms.

You can find all the sizes we offer on our All Size Options page.