Summary

An ergonomic computer setup requires a bit of rule-breaking.

But have you ever tried using a numpad on the left-hand side of your keyboard?

The traditional keyboard layout is a hidden ergonomic nightmare.

A standalone wireless numpad on the left-hand side of a tenkeyless keyboard.

Andrew Heinzman / How-To Geek

It’s an absurd, paradoxical ergonomic problem.

Still, it’s an easy problem to solvejust get rid of the numpad.

So, I’d like to propose an alternative solution.

Numpad on the Kensington QuietType Pro Silent Wireless Mechanical Keyboard.

Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek

A left-handed numpad isn’t always a good idea.

Instead, they’ll have each hand planted on either side of the keyboard.

The left hand slaps away at the Tab key, while the right hand dances around the numpad.

NOOX USB Numpad thumbnail.

Experience the comfort of a left-handed numpad with this extremely affordable USB numpad. It doesn’t offer any flashy features and it requires a wired USB connection, hence the low price.

Experience the comfort of a left-handed numpad with this extremely affordable USB numpad.

It doesn’t offer any flashy features and it requires a wired USB connection, hence the low price.

In this situation, the traditional keyboard layout is perfectly ergonomic.

A hand holding a standalone wireless numpad.

Andrew Heinzman / How-To Geek

If you’re an accountant or data entry specialist, I formally dismiss you from this article.

Should You Use a Left-Handed Numpad?

Casual computer users, gamers, and spreadsheet-averse individuals may benefit from a left-handed numpad.

EPOMAKER wireless numpad thumbnail.

The EPOMAKER EK21 numpad sports a premium design with hot-swappable Gateron Pro Yellow switches, VIA macro customization, and RGB backlighting. It connects via USB-C cable, 2.4Ghz wireless dongle, or Bluetooth 5.0, and it features a long-lasting 1,000mAh rechargeable battery.

However, very few keyboards are built to this unique specification.

Anyway, let’s forget about the Keychron Q12 and go for a more affordable, more flexible option.

You’ll need just two items: atenkeyless keyboardand a standalone numpad.

A tenkeyless keyboard is just a regular-old keyboard without a tenkey number pad.

This goes without saying, but a standalone numpad can sitanywhereon your desk.

Standalone numpads come in all shapes and sizes.

Some arecheap and simple, while others usemechanical switchesand have customizable knobs or buttons.