Why test your keyboard in a browser
You do not need a driver, an app or an admin account to check a keyboard. Open this page, press Start testing, and the on-screen keyboard reacts to every key your browser receives. That makes it handy on a computer where you cannot install software, on a borrowed laptop, or with a second-hand keyboard you want to check quickly.
It is not a scored test and keeps no history. Press Reset whenever you want a clean board.
What the browser can see
A web page learns about key presses through the browser. For each press, the tester shows two pieces of information in the bar above the keyboard:
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Last key | The character or key name your layout produces, such as a, A or Enter |
| Code | The physical key position, such as KeyA or ShiftLeft |
The code is what lights up a key on the board. Because it names the position rather than the character, the left and right Shift keys count separately, and a key lights up in its usual place even if your layout prints a different character.
While testing is on, the page also stops keys such as Tab, Space and the F keys from doing their usual job in the browser. You can press them without the page scrolling or focus jumping to a button.
What the browser cannot see
Some system shortcuts and keys are handled by the operating system before the browser gets a chance. Those presses never reach the page, so their keys can stay grey even when they work perfectly. A browser also cannot read your keyboard’s settings or battery level. It only sees key presses as they arrive.
So treat a grey key with care. Check whether it does its normal job outside the browser before you blame the keyboard.
Pick the right layout
This page uses a full Windows-style layout with a function row, navigation block, arrows and number pad. There are separate versions for a Mac keyboard and a Chromebook keyboard. For what to do about dead, stuck or ghosting keys, see the keyboard test page.