From Clumsy to Confident: How to Type with Long Nails

We all love a pair of shiny and polished long nails. Don’t we? But there are a few tasks that are easier said than done with long nails and that includes typing as well. Not just that long nail slows down typing but can also cause some serious pain. But fear not! You are not in this alone. With the right tips and techniques, you can unlock the perfect way to improve and speed up your typing and even make it more accurate while making no compromises on your nails. In this article, we will share some of the best tips on how to type with long nails which includes the correct keyboard positioning, typing techniques and the best nail care. So make sure to read till the end. 

Tips for Typing with Long Nails

Typing with long nails can surely be an issue. But with the right advice and procedure, you can resolve this issue and become a pro at typing. Here are some of the best tips for typing with long nails. 

1- Proper Keyboard positioning

The first step to achieving quick typing with long nails is adjusting your keyboard position. Make sure to place your keyboard in a way that it’s facing your hands in a safe position and your fingers can easily touch the tips without colliding with other keys. It’s also suggested to use a rolled up towel or wrist support to attain a better and more comfortable position. Working on your keyboard positioning can help prevent strain injuries. 

2- Adjusting Keyboard sensitivity

Some keyboards offer sensitivity settings. If your keyboard has similar options then reduce the sensitivity to low so that less force is required to press the keys. It helps in avoiding your nails colliding too hard with the keys and causing strain or pain. If your keyboard does not have such settings then we suggest switching to a membrane keyboard since its keys do not demand much force. 

3- Choosing the right keyboard

One of the most crucial steps to ensuring you can type efficiently with long nails lies in the choice of your keyboard. If you are looking to purchase a new keyboard then it’s better to choose one with low profile and soft keys. They make tying much more comfortable. Reduce the risk of your nails hitting the keys and prevent discomfort and pain. 

4- Nail care and maintenance

Taking care of your nail health is also very important. Make sure they are trimmed and smooth to avoid running into the keys. Regularly use a nail filer to keep the edges smooth and a moisturizer to keep your nails and cuticles healthy. Moreover, avoid typing with wet nails as water softens them and they can break at a moderately strong impact with the keys.

5- Correct typing technique

Instead of typing with the tips, use the upper pad of your fingers. Keep your fingers slightly curved and in a relaxed position and make sure you are never typing with your nails. If you need to press a specific key with a nail then we suggest doing it with the side of the nail rather than the tip. It is also essential to take short gaps in between typing to give your fingers a rest and avoid repetitive strain injuries. 

6- Using assistive tools

We all can use a little helping hand right? Use tools such as finger sleeves or gloves to reduce the interaction of your nails with the keys or you can use voice-to-text software to prevent the need to type altogether.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Typing with Long Nails. 

Some people also suffer from strain and discomfort while typing with long nails because of the mistakes they are making often, unintendedly but these slight mistakes could lead to a more painful experience. Here are some of the mistakes to avoid when typing with long nails. 

1- Typing with the tip of your nail

As we said earlier, typing with the tip of your nails is a very harmful practice since the tips constantly hit the opposite keys which leads to slowing down your typing speed and stiffness in hand. 

2- Not adjusting sensitivity

If your keyboard has adjustable sensitivity and you are not using it to your own advantage then I am sorry my friend but you are making a dumb move. Adjustable sensitivity allows you to determine your own comfort while typing which results in more accurate and harm-less typing. 

3- Neglecting nail care

Another mistake that most beginners make and end up regretting is not taking proper care of their nails. Make sure your nails are trimmed to the required length and are smooth and well rounded at all times. 

4- Typing too fast

Sometimes in the haste of getting the work done, we get too harsh on our nails by typing too fast. This causes harsh interactions between the keys and the nails causing strain and discomfort. Adopt a normal typing pace and stick to it. It is also important to take short breaks in between to relax and stretch your hands. 

5- Slouching or leaning forward

A bad posture while typing can also cause pain and discomfort in your wrists and fingers. Slouching or leaning forward while typing slows down the pace of typing and makes the process much more uncomfortable. Make sure to sit with the right posture and align  your keyboard and chair to an ideal height and angle. 

Bottom Line

To sum up, typing with long nails does not have to be a painful process, instead you can make it enjoyable. By sticking to the tips outlined in this blog such as typing with the pads of your fingers, using a membrane keyboard and preventing the common mistakes, you can learn to type with long nails like a pro. In the end remember, that everything takes time, so allow yourself to experiment with different typing techniques and stick with the most suitable ones. With time, you will be able to show off your sleek and gorgeous nails to everyone while also shocking them with your professional typing.

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