Typing Posture and Hand Position Guide

Last updated: 2026-11-01

A good typing position makes practice easier and helps you keep typing for longer without discomfort. You do not need special equipment: a few small changes to how you sit and where you place your hands go a long way. This guide gives general advice that many ergonomics guides agree on. It is not medical advice.

Sit so your body is supported

Sit back in the chair so your lower back is supported.
Keep your feet flat on the floor, or on a footrest if the chair is high.
Keep your knees at about the same height as your hips, or slightly lower.
Do not slouch forward towards the screen. If you find yourself leaning, move the screen closer or increase the text size.

Set the height of the desk and the screen

Your elbows should rest close to your body and bend at about a right angle (90 degrees) when your hands are on the keyboard. If the desk is too high, raise the chair, and use a footrest if your feet no longer reach the floor.

The screen should be about an arm's length away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level, so you look straight ahead or slightly down, not up. On a laptop this often means using a separate keyboard and raising the laptop on a stand or a pile of books.

Where to put your hands

Keep your wrists straight, in a neutral line with your forearms. Do not bend them up or down, or sideways towards the little finger.
Let your fingers curve gently over the keys, with your fingertips on the home row (A S D F and J K L ;).
Float your hands over the keys while you type. Resting the heel of your palm hard on the edge of the desk or the laptop can press on the wrist. A wrist rest is for pauses, not for typing on.
Use a light touch. You do not need to pound the keys.
Keep your shoulders relaxed and low, not raised towards your ears.

Arrange the keyboard, the mouse and the light

Put the keyboard directly in front of you, centred on your body, not off to one side.
Keep the mouse close beside the keyboard, so your arm does not stretch out to reach it.
Avoid glare. Place the screen so that windows and bright lamps are not reflected in it, and use enough light in the room that the screen is not the only bright thing you look at.
Keep the things you use often, such as a notebook or a drink, within easy reach, so you do not twist or stretch while typing.

Take breaks

Staying still for a long time is hard on the body even in a good position. A common suggestion is to take a short break every 30 to 60 minutes: stand up, stretch your arms and shoulders, shake out your hands and walk a few steps. A few minutes is enough.

For your eyes, many guides recommend the 20-20-20 habit: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet (about 6 metres) away for 20 seconds. TypeLemon practice sessions are short, which makes them easy to combine with this kind of break.

Typing on a phone or tablet

On a phone, hold the device so your neck is not bent far forward; raise the phone closer to eye level rather than lowering your head. If you use TypeLemon on a phone, the on-screen keyboard works in portrait and in landscape. On a short landscape screen the keyboard splits into two halves beside the game, so you can type with both thumbs while the game stays in the middle.

When to see someone

Some tiredness after a long session is normal. Pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in your hands, wrists or arms is not something to push through. Stop, rest, and speak to a doctor or a physiotherapist if it continues. This guide gives general tips only and is no replacement for medical advice.

Try it on TypeLemon

Practise what you just read: type a sentence in the typing test, play Zombie Shooter or Slime Stampede, or press Match on the home page to play against other people. It is free, and you can play as a guest.