Proper hand placement is very important in learning to type. There is much more to proper hand placement than just resting your fingers on the correct keys. Proper placement of the monitor and keyboard, and good body posture can help improve typing speed as well as reduce fatigue.

Body Position
You should sit with your back straight and your feet flat. Your feet should be about shoulder length apart. This will give your back and shoulders the least amount of stress while typing.

Monitor position
The monitor should be completely viewable when you are looking straight ahead. Usually the top of the monitor should be at eye height or just above the eyes.

Keyboard Position
The keyboard is best in a flat position, at a height that allows your forearms to be parallel to the floor. Often a keyboard tray beneath the desk can help. We do not recommend using the pegs in the back of most keyboards or the use of wrist rests.

Arm and Hand Position
Your forearms should be parallel to the floor. Your wrists and hands should be straight. Your wrists should NOT rest on the desk or table. This is very important and a common error!

Finger Position
Your fingers should barely touch the home row keys. Let your left index finger naturally sit on the F key, and then place the middle finger on the D key, the ring on the S key and the pinky on the A. Do the same with the right hand, beginning with the index finger, let it rest on the J Key. Place your middle finger on the K key, the ring finger on the L and the pinky finger on the semicolon (;) key.

      

Rest and stretch
Be sure to take frequent breaks from the keyboard and from sitting. Stand up, stretch your arms and legs, and take a walk if you can. Some great stretching techniques that can be done before and after keyboarding can be seen here.

Latest in healthy keyboarding techniques.