Vintage Typewriter Keyboard Layouts

Language layouts

QWERTY is common in English-speaking markets, QWERTZ appears in several Central European contexts, and AZERTY is associated with French-language use. Country and language variations go beyond those three labels.

Specialized keyboards

Machines were produced for accounting, scientific, pharmaceutical, telegraph, educational, and other specialized work. Missing or unusual symbols can be intentional.

Typeface is not always obvious from the keys

Italic, script, proportional, mathematical, and other typefaces may require a typing sample to identify. On Selectric machines, the installed type element can be changed.

Buying implications

Confirm that the layout fits your intended writing. A beautiful machine with the wrong keyboard may still be collectible, but it can frustrate daily use.