Do you use numeric pad or keys above letters to write numbers on keyboard?

[Hisymak]

This is a trivial question that I'm quite curious about.

For me it's numeric pad - it's much faster and more convenient to type numbers on it, and it can be done with one hand without moving from left to right and vice versa when typing numbers.

[Biodegradable]

Upper row number keys. I have three keyboards: Two tenkeyless ones and a 68%, so I don't have a numpad on any of 'em.

Edited August 18, 2020 by Biodegradable

[MFG38]

I always use the row of number keys above the letter keys. Never used the numpad, even if one was available.

[Beginner]

I only use numpad when I need to write a crapton of numbers. In any other situation I just use numbers above letter keys.

[Graf Zahl]

I prefer to use the numpad as a cursor block, too bad that Apple does not allow that on macOS. I rarely need to type lists of numbers and for typing numbers in texts the regular keys are more convenient.

[Grazza]

Keys above letters.

 

I've mapped a buttload of keyboard shortcuts to the numeric pad, so it would be awkward to use it for numeric input too (a lot of pressing of the num lock key for a start). This is both so I can use both hands more efficiently, and also so I have a choice of hands for certain repetitive functions and can switch when one hand is getting sore (or ideally before that point). In particular, that big O key on the number pad is useful as a paste key that I can slap with my right thumb. In a typical day's work I might do that a thousand times or more.

[Chopkinsca]

It depends on what I'm doing. If I'm writing words, then I'll probably use the numbers above all the letters. Otherwise I like using the numpad. I also find myself playing a lot of games controlled by the numpad.

[Gez]

Both, depending. For a short number in the middle of a sentence, like if I want to type "27" in this post, then I'll use the number row; for long numbers or if I'm not writing also writing text such as when using the calculator, then the numbed pad is better.

 

Also I have both a numpad on the right side of my keyboard and a USB numpad I keep on the left side; which mostly serves to play games (using 8456 control scheme) rather than to type number.

[Doominator2]

Numpad for sure. If you know the numpad layout really well, its a lot faster than using the number row.

[Scypek2]

I always prefer the upper row no matter how many numbers I have to type. It's just way more obvious when they're all arranged in one row from lowest to highest and I can pretty much type them quickly without looking. Meanwhile with the number pad I'd have to wrap my head around two dimensions of space, and it doesn't help that the lower numbers are at the bottom for some reason.

[seed]

Upper row here as well, I simply got too used to it in games and never thought about changing.

 

My mother uses the numpad and it always amuses me for some reason.

[uber]

Upper row 90% of the time since it's easier to insert numbers while typing. I do sometimes use the numpad when using a calculator, writing my login PIN, and also in some games such as TF2 where I have the keys bound to specific actions (like switching classes instantly). But I doubt that last one counts as typing with it.

[david_a]

I bought a keyboard without a number pad because it just hogs mouse space.

[Starduster]

Keys above the letters, 100% of the time. It's just the way I learned how to type, plus I have some shortcuts mapped to the numpad keys.

[CoyoteComrade]

Numpad is for chat binds in online games

[BoxY]

I don't have a numpad right now, I downsized to a tenkeyless keyboard back when I was cramming a lot of art stuff on my desk and needed to economise on space. I do prefer a numpad for entering calculations but I only do that occasionally so it's nbd.

[nname]

I use both, but I wouldn't use the num pad, if I could afford a TKL keyboard (-:

Spoiler

Please bless me, HyperX

 

[Taw Tu'lki]

I use above letters

[URROVA]

i dont have numpad :( 

[Bridgeburner56]

I use both. I usually use the row above the lettera if I'm writing and just need to use one or two numbers and then switch to the keypad for long number strings or if I'm doing something like using a calculator. The number pad is more efficient for me to use but that's balanced by how many numbers I'm going to type against the time it takes to move my hand there. 

[Cruduxy Pegg]

I use both. If I need to press anything beside 12345 I'll use the numpad. If it is something that needs the mouse to be used at same time (Basically only games) I'll rebind everything away from 67890 if I can.

[VanaheimRanger]

I have my numpad keys set up as OBS keybinds so I avoid using it for anything else than that.

[GibFrag]

Both. The numpad is great as a calculator, for typing in PIN numbers, for coding, and if I ever get stuck with a keyboard that has no numpad, then I plug in my old Belkin USB numpad so that I still have it available. I find it to be the most useful when you need precise calculations and number inputs. I find it is often easier to detect mistakes with your number inputs and calculations using a numpad.

 

The keys above the letters are useful for writing word/text documents, since you use these keys for symbols often used in writing on a computer and often times it is quicker this way. So, I find these keys to be the most useful when speed is more important and/or you are only documenting numeric values, not making calculations of your own. 

 

So the bottom line here is that both are useful for me based on my experiences with computers which spans about 3 decades. This is just my opinion though, not claiming any of this as fact or as a tutorial on how you should use your keyboard. 

[unerxai]

I see the numbers above letters as shortcuts for when I'm typing text that has the occasional numbers in it.

 

Numpad is for when I'm inputting mostly numbers.

[Mr. Freeze]

Numpad. I did data entry for my last job and numpad was twice as fast as the keys above letters. 

[Final Verdict]

Upper row, always. My numpad never gets used for anything as it's too far away from my typing hand. 

[Rainne]

Upper row when typing normally. But when I want to use the arrow keys too, like if working with lists of numbers, I'll have my right hand poised over the numpad, left hand types digits 1-6 and right hand types digits 7-9 and 0 -- with thumb over the arrow keys.

[Lippeth]

Usually the numeric though I sometimes have a tendency to use them together at the same time. 1-5 with the upper row and 6-0 with the numeric. It's not a hard rule but just a habit I've noticed from time to time.

 

Edit: I swear I'm not trying to steal your thunder, Rainne. I should have read more than the first sentence of the previous comment before commenting. That was an uncanny feeling I got just now.

Edited August 19, 2020 by Lippeth

[Jello]

It depends, if it's just general alpha typing with a few numbers, I'll use the keys above the alpha keys. But I worked a job for quite a few years where I had to type multiple, long strings of numbers, with minimal alpha characters. The num pad was immeasurably faster at long strings, same as when I'm using a calculator. Try typing a few hundred or thousand numbers a day using the number row instead of the num pad; it doesn't work so well. So it's a habit I just got in to, so usually I'll use it unless it's just a couple of numbers. But then I usually just type them out if they're in a sentence. 

[DooM Bear]

I use both :-P

 

Numbers above the letters for gaming (probably just out of habit as that’s the way I’ve always played) then num pad is for work :-D

 

Kinda funny story on this though! I used to have a password that was just a long series of numbers, the problem was I didn’t know what the password actually was as just remembered it as a pattern on the num pad!

 

Worked great for a while as even if people saw me type it, no one could ever remember the pattern :-P

 

Then one day I had to enter it on a PC that didn’t have a num pad... had to quickly change my password as for the life of me couldn’t work out what the password’s numbers were XD