RSTHD keyboard layout
RSTHD is a 2016 computer-optimised layout for split keyboards that puts the letter E on a thumb key, freeing the home row for R, S, T, H and D.
- Created by
- Simon Zeng
- xsznix
- Year
- 2016
- Finger travel
- −44%
- vs QWERTY
- Home row
- 70%
- of letters, QWERTY 37%
The layout
The author’s version for standard keyboards. The original puts E on a thumb key of a split keyboard; here E returns to the home row.
RSTHD was designed for split keyboards with thumb keys. The version shown here is its author’s own for standard keyboards, typed with standard fingering.
How RSTHD measures
RSTHD typed on 23,331 words of English and compared with QWERTY.
History
- 2015Simon Zeng, a Dvorak typist, writes Keygen, a layout optimiser in Rust using simulated annealing.
- 2016He publishes RSTHD in May, made with it for his ErgoDox EZ, with E on a thumb key.
- LaterHe adds a version for standard keyboards; later layouts such as APT build on it.
Design goal: A comfortable, roll-friendly English layout for split keyboards, improved by moving E onto a thumb key.
Pros
- With E on a thumb key, the home row has room for more common consonants.
- Favours rolls, especially inward ones, and keeps the pinkies light.
- Optimised over many measures, not only distance or same-finger pairs.
Cons
- The original needs a split keyboard with thumb keys.
- The standard-keyboard version needs swaps, so it does not feel the same.
- A niche single-author layout whose own page now points to newer derivatives.
RSTHD compared
Against QWERTY and other research and ergonomic layouts, ranked by finger travel per 1,000 words.
| Layout | Finger travel | vs QWERTY | Home row | Same finger | Alternation | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halmak | 69.2 m | −47% | 65% | 3.3% | 66% | 51% |
| MTGAP | 70.6 m | −46% | 65% | 1.3% | 63% | 49% |
| Capewell | 72.0 m | −45% | 67% | 1.8% | 50% | 49% |
| Arensito | 72.4 m | −44% | 67% | 1.6% | 52% | 52% |
| Soul | 73.2 m | −44% | 67% | 1.6% | 56% | 48% |
| RSTHDTHIS PAGE | 73.2 m | −44% | 70% | 1.2% | 57% | 45% |
| BEAKL 15 | 87.4 m | −33% | 59% | 3.4% | 68% | 49% |
| QWERTY | 130.0 m | — | 37% | 6.5% | 55% | 57% |
RSTHD was created by Simon Zeng (xsznix) and published in May 2016.
It moves your fingers less. On 23,331 words of English, finger travel was −44% against QWERTY, 70% of letters landed on the home row against QWERTY’s 37%, and same-finger pairs were 1.2% against 6.5%. Less movement does not guarantee more speed, and switching takes weeks of practice.
RSTHD was designed for split keyboards with thumb keys. The version shown here is its author’s own for standard keyboards, typed with standard fingering.
Yes. Choose RSTHD as your keyboard layout and the on-screen keyboard and hands show where every key is.