Keyboard hardware design data
Optimize keyboard layouts and key placement with real-world typing data from thousands of anonymized users.
Real-world typing behavior at scale
Move beyond small focus groups and lab studies. Access aggregated keyboard heat maps and typing patterns from tens of thousands of real users across different professions, languages, and workflows. All data is fully anonymized and aggregated - we never provide individual user information.
The challenge
Keyboard manufacturers face a fundamental problem: traditional user testing relies on small sample sizes that don't represent the diversity of real-world typing behavior. A focus group of 10-20 people can't capture:
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Professional diversity
Developers type differently than writers, gamers differently than office workers
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Statistical significance
Small samples can't validate design decisions with confidence
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Long-term behavior
Lab testing shows initial reactions, not sustained usage patterns over months
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Global keyboard layouts
QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak, and other layout differences require separate validation
How one manufacturer used WhatPulse data
The project
A keyboard hardware design company was developing their next-generation ergonomic keyboard. Their hypothesis was that frequently-used keys should be larger and more accessible, but they needed real-world data to validate which keys actually get used most - and how usage varies between different types of users.
The data WhatPulse provided
We delivered anonymized, aggregated keyboard heat map data from over 50,000 users, segmented by user type:
Data included:
- Key press frequency distribution
- Common key combinations and sequences
- Physical key position usage intensity
- Differences between user segments
User segments:
- Software developers
- Writers and content creators
- Gamers (FPS, MOBA, MMO categories)
- Office/administrative workers
Key insights discovered
Enter, Backspace, and Space dominate
These three keys accounted for 38% of all keystrokes across all user types - justifying 15% size increase in the new design.
Modifier key placement was suboptimal
Developers used Ctrl and Alt 4x more than average users, but these keys were in awkward positions causing pinky strain.
Profession-specific patterns emerged
Developers hammered brackets and semicolons, writers relied heavily on punctuation, gamers created distinct WASD heat signatures.
Number row underutilized
Except for developers and data entry workers, the number row saw minimal use - validating TKL (tenkeyless) design decisions.
Impact on product design
Armed with this data, the manufacturer made several design changes:
- Enlarged high-frequency keys by 15% (Enter, Backspace, Space)
- Relocated modifier keys to more ergonomic positions based on actual usage patterns
- Created profession-specific layouts - a "developer edition" with optimized bracket and modifier placement
- Validated their ergonomic hypotheses with statistically significant real-world data
- Designed keycap durability based on which keys receive the most punishment
What you'll receive
Heat map visualizations
Color-coded keyboard layouts showing key press frequency distribution across your target user segments. Export as high-resolution images for presentations or raw data for analysis.
Frequency tables
Detailed tables with exact keystroke counts and percentages for every key position. Segment by user type, profession, geography, or keyboard layout.
Key combination analysis
Common key sequences and combinations (e.g., Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) showing which modifier and shortcut combinations are most prevalent in real-world usage.
Segmented insights
Compare typing patterns across different user groups: developers vs. writers, gamers vs. office workers, Windows vs. Mac users, and more.
Sample data format
Here's an example of the key frequency data you'd receive:
| Key | Press Count | Percentage | User Segment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space | 8,847,392 | 25.6% | All Users |
| E | 4,392,847 | 12.7% | All Users |
| Enter | 3,284,923 | 9.5% | All Users |
| A | 2,847,293 | 8.2% | All Users |
Privacy guarantee
Aggregated data only
All data is combined across thousands of users. No individual typing patterns are ever shared.
No keystroke content
We track which keys are pressed and how often - never what was typed. There's no way to reconstruct actual text from our data.
Minimum sample sizes
We never provide data from fewer than 1,000 users to ensure complete anonymity and statistical significance.
GDPR compliant
Aggregated, anonymized data is not considered personal data under GDPR. Full compliance with all data protection regulations.
Design better keyboards with real-world data
Stop guessing and start building keyboards optimized for how people actually type. Contact our data partnerships team to discuss your project and get a custom quote.