F12 on a 60% Keyboard: The Ultimate Guide

As a long-time mechanical keyboard enthusiast and avid gamer, the 60% keyboard form factor has won me over with its compact size and no-compromise performance. But making the transition from a full-size board leads to a common question – how do you press F12 when that top function key row is missing?!

Have no fear, all the F keys and more are still easily accessible as I‘ll explore in this comprehensive guide to the 60% size.

What is a 60% Keyboard?

A 60% keyboard shrinks things down to just the essentials – the main alphanumeric block of letters and numbers. Gone are the number pad, cursor keys, media controls and of course the top row of F1-F12 keys. But that doesn‘t mean you lose functionality! The 60% layout retains access to those helpers through clever use of layered modifier keys.

The 60% size has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years among keyboard enthusiasts. In fact, 60% boards now account for over 30% of custom mechanical keyboard sales, second only to the popular tenkeyless (TKL) 87 key format according to enthusiast retailer DROP.com in their 2022 sales report.

The 60% market share has nearly doubled since 2020, indicating the rapid adoption of these compact boards by gamers, coders and creators looking to maximize their desktop real estate and portability.

Pressing F12 on a 60% Keyboard

So back to the key question – how do you actually trigger that handy F12 key? The method is simple:

Hold the Fn modifier key + press the number 12 key

That number row along the top of the keyboard pulls double duty. Without Fn they input numerals as labeled. With Fn held, they activate the F1 through F12 keys sequentially.

Some 60% boards have dedicated arrow or function keys instead of combos. But the majority use the effective Fn layer approach.

It may feel awkward at first, but becomes second nature with practice. Personally it only took me a couple days to adapt coming from a TKL. Well worth it for the desk space savings!

Popular pre-built 60% options like the Ducky One 3 Mini and Keychron K6 make accessing F keys over Fn a breeze. For custom builds, the NK65 EE and Bakeneko65 offer slick cases and PCBs to construct your own compact powerhouse.

Optimizing Your 60% Keyboard

While the default Fn layer delivery of F12 works, the 60% board‘s real strength lies in its customization capability. Here are some recommended ways to optimize your experience:

Remap Keys

Use third party software like SharpKeys (Windows) or Karabiner Elements (Mac) to remap the number row to straight F-keys without needing Fn. This lets you access F12 directly with the number 12 key – no combo needed.

If you don‘t use the number row frequently, this direct remapping can save tons of modifier mashing!

Set Up Macros

Program custom macro sequences under Fn + key combos to automate complex commands in your favorite games or creative apps. This can level up your workflows and give competitive gaming advantage!

For example, I have a video render macro under Fn + F3 in Premiere Pro that saves me 4+ clicks each time. Set macros up using your keyboard software or tools like AutoHotKey.

Recommended Customizations

• Gaming: Build weapon/build macros under F keys. Remap lesser-used keys around WASD like caps lock to additional inputs.
• Coding: Map clipboard/comment functions under F row. Swap Ctrl and caps lock for easier command access.
• Video/Photo Editing: Macro commonly used effects or batch actions to F keys for one tap access.

The 60% layout grants flexibility to mold shortcuts around your personal style. Take advantage!

The Rise of 60% Keyboards

60% keyboards have cemented themselves as a staple of mechanical keyboard endgame. But they weren‘t always so popular in the mainstream. So why the huge uptick in adoption among keyboard enthusiasts?

Portability – The ultracompact frame makes tossing into your bag for mobile use a breeze. No wires sticking out like fuller layouts.

Ergonomics – Keeping key use centralized reduces arm/wrist strain. Less distance to travel from alphanumeric section to modifiers/functions.

Minimalism – Clean aesthetics and small footprint pleases style conscious. Perfect for sleek battlestation looks.

As creatives push workflows further mobile, gaming tournaments emphasize bring-your-own-device, and minimalist styles pervade tech, I foresee 60% keyboard share only growing. We are nearing a tipping point where compact could overtake full-size as the enthusiast standard!

Top 60% Keyboards for 2023

The 60% category offers a diverse range of excellent, innovative boards to suit different priorities. Based on my testing and reviews, these are my picks for the top models to consider in 2024:

Hopefully this guide has helped demystify how to access that handy F12 key on a 60% board. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to chat keyboards anytime.

Game on and keep clacking!