Touch typing lesson 22: `, ~, !, -, _, +, =

Keys and finger movements

Keyboard layout: English US.

When characters share a key, use the same finger to reach it. Adding Shift or AltGr changes the character, not that finger's destination. Keep the reach familiar while you learn to coordinate the extra key; trying a different finger for every combination can make the position harder to remember.

• Left little finger: Move from A to `, then return to A.
• Right little finger: Move from ; to -, then return to ;.
• Right little finger: Move from ; to =, then return to ;.

+ means hold the keys together.

• ~: Shift + `
• !: Shift + 1
• _: Shift + -
• +: Shift + =

US and GB QWERTY place some punctuation differently. On US, @ is Shift + 2 and a double quote is Shift + '. On GB, @ is Shift + ' and a double quote is Shift + 2; £ is Shift + 3. Follow the selected layout rather than a shortcut learned on the other one.

If a key produces a different character, check that your system's input source matches this layout. On a Mac, Keyboard Viewer shows what Option and Shift produce; Command does not replace Option.

AgileFingers mission

AgileFingers was created with a clear mission: to make practicing touch typing engaging and enjoyable. Touch typing courses were already available online, but our goal was to make learning the skill as appealing as possible. Repeating keyboard exercises is not always exciting, so we wanted to offer a pleasant, accessible way to practice, including for children. AgileFingers is for learners of all ages, from schoolchildren and students to people who use a keyboard at work.

Its navigation lets learners move between lessons and interactive typing games. Children can practice through games, then return to lessons to work on particular keys. We believe that learning touch typing can be fun and rewarding at any age.

If you are looking for typing practice for a child, the mix of lessons and games offers different ways to keep practicing. Learners can set speed goals, work toward them and experience the satisfaction of improving their ability to type without looking at the keyboard.

Use a lesson to isolate a difficult key, then a full text to check it among other letters. Choose the next exercise from the errors you see.