blueberry_sushi t1_iuita7v wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:29 PM

Reply to comment by PackYourJammies in Any thoughts on layout idea? by ForsakenWebNinja

Yes! I've found this issue with my own attempts at using a numpad with the left hand. People frequently suggest for others to use a separate numpad and just move it to the left of your keyboard rather than having one integrated into the board itself, and the problem with that is that the numpad is designed for use with the right hand, and good luck trying to find a reversed layout numpad out there that isn't a part of an extremely limited/expensive keyboard.

To do a left-hand numpad properly, imo, the numpad layout needs to be reversed so that the thumb can rest over the '0' key, it feels really awkward and just un-ergonomic to scrunch your hand up and hit the zero with your pinky.

PackYourJammies t1_iuj68c9 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:55 PM

Yes exactly using pinky 0 on a right-handed numpad with your left keyboard is awful. The + and enter placement isn’t as bad for the thumb, but I still greatly prefer it on the left for use with the pinky or ring finger

Also this is an elaborate solution, but you could try something like it. I use the left half of a split ortholinear keyboard (Keebio FoldKB) for a lefty numpad with the 0 set to the ~~spacebar~~ 1.25u mod to the left of the spacebar. It works really well other than having 1u keys for + and enter (I use 2 for + and 1 for enter). A macropad also might fit you

Edit: edited “spacebar” to the mod next to it