Colemak Dh

For new typists coming from QWERTY, start directly with Colemak-DH (skip original Colemak). For existing Colemak users, the switch is low-effort and worthwhile. Pair the layout with proper posture, wrist rests, and a programmable keyboard for maximum ergonomic benefit.

In standard Colemak, the D and H keys are located on the home row’s "index" spots. While this sounds good on paper, in practice, it forces your strongest fingers (the indexes) to curl inward awkwardly or stretch to reach the center of the keyboard. This inward lateral motion is a common source of strain. colemak dh

Colemak-DH takes the proven efficiency of Colemak and fixes the ergonomic profile by relocating the D and H keys. For new typists coming from QWERTY, start directly

The primary goal of Colemak-DH is to maximize comfort while preserving the core benefits of base Colemak. It retains critical QWERTY shortcut keys on the left hand—such as , X , C , and V —making the learning curve far less steep than moving to a radical layout like Dvorak . In standard Colemak, the D and H keys

Switching layouts is a humbling experience. You will go from 80 WPM to 20 WPM overnight.