Top row typing practice
The top row holds E, T, O, I and R, some of the most frequent letters in English. Learn to reach up and come straight back.
About top row practice
Each finger reaches up and slightly to the left from its home key: D to E, K to I, F to R and T, J to U and Y, S to W, L to O, and the pinkies to Q and P. Because rows are staggered, "straight up" is a small diagonal.
Combined with the home row, the top row lets you type a large share of everyday words, including "the", "their", "write", "quite" and "power". It is where typing starts to feel like writing.
Tips
- Reach, tap, return. Never leave a finger parked on the top row.
- Y belongs to the right index finger, not the left.
- Keep your other fingers touching the home row while one reaches.
- Lift the whole hand slightly for the ring and pinky reaches; that is fine.
Top row practice FAQ
Which finger types each top row key?
Left: pinky Q, ring W, middle E, index R and T. Right: index Y and U, middle I, ring O, pinky P.
Why is the top row harder than the home row?
Every key needs a reach and a return, and the stagger means the reach is slightly diagonal. Accuracy drops at first; slow down until the movement is automatic.
What words use only the top row?
Examples include we, to, up, you, your, type, quite, pretty, power, write, tower, territory and typewriter.