What is R1 on keyboard

As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the latest in gaming hardware, I often get asked by those new to the hobby – what does R1 stand for on gaming keyboards? As part of a series demystifying common gaming keyboard terminology, let‘s dive into the significance of the R1 key row.

R1 Refers to the Top Row with F1-F12 Keys

Put simply, R1 refers to the topmost row of keys on a standard 104-key ANSI or 105-key ISO keyboard layout. This includes the Esc key, F1 through F12 function keys, Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Pause, Break, and the tilde (~`) key.

On ANSI and ISO keyboards, this R1 row sits above the number keys (referred to as R2) and the letter keys (referred to as R3). Aftermarket keysets tend to include keycaps tailored to replacing common R1 keys like Esc, the F1-F12 cluster, Print Screen, etc.

R1 Keys on Gaming Keyboards

In gaming keyboard circles, R1 has additional significance when referring to keyboards with non-standard layouts beyond traditional ANSI/ISO. For example, on ortholinear gaming keyboards arranged in uniform columns and rows instead of staggered keys, R1 refers to the topmost row.

Additionally, some gaming communities interpret R1 as referring specifically to the row with the two Shift keys and letters ZXCVBNM. This is relevant when discussing FPS games, where the left Shift key is often bound to sprinting.

So in WASD terminology, row 1 (R1) is the row that contains the shift keys and ZXCVBNM. On a typical ANSI layout, the left shift key is 2.25 units wide (that is, 2.25 times the width of a normal key) and the right shift is 2.75 units wide.

Keycap Profiles and R1 Replacement Keys

When discussing keycap profiles and shapes, the R1 row takes on additional significance. Unlike the letter, number and modifier keys centered around the home row (R2 and R3), R1 keycaps have a different height, slope, and contour optimized for that top row positioning.

Mixing and matching keycaps from other rows can result in a jagged or uncomfortable typing experience. For example, replacing just the Esc and F1 keys with R2 profile caps leaves those keys significantly lower to the finger than the surrounding keys.

As such, aftermarket keycap sets tend to include R1 profile keycaps for customizing Esc, function keys, Print Screen and other keys commonly customized in that top row. Demand is high from gamers seeking machined metal or translucent R1 keycaps to make their Escape keys really pop.

R1 Key Sizes and Keyboard Layouts

Like other keyboard areas, the R1 row follows standard sizing conventions when measuring keys in units, with 1u equaling the width of a standard alphanumeric key. Some common examples on ANSI and ISO keyboards:

So as you can see, while R1 refers broadly to that top function key row, it carries added meaning around gaming layouts, profiles, and customization trends. Understanding these interpretations of R1 will help you make informed decisions when choosing your next gaming keyboard and keyset.

I hope this article has demystified what fellow gamers mean when referring to the R1! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions around keyboard layout terminology and I‘ll address them in future posts.