Keyboard guide Simulate this layout

Using your system keyboard? Uncheck simulation.

Lesson 1/90/9 complete

Start typing the highlighted letters

f j j f f j

Follow the key below. Take your time.

Press next

French

fF

Press and release this key.

Left index finger

Press lightly, then return to the home row.

Lesson help ↓

Set up your keyboard

Match the guide to your device keyboard. Leave simulation unchecked when your system already types this language; enable it to practise these positions using English input.

Follow the highlighted character and finger. Correct mistakes with Backspace, then build a steady rhythm. Lesson progress resets when you change stage, layout or input mode, or leave this page.

Find your index fingers

Find the bumps at the F and J positions. Alternate your index fingers; use either thumb for Space.

These are key-position drills, not words. The large key label shows the output; the small label names its US keyboard position. Follow the highlighted finger. Slow down until each movement feels comfortable; speed comes with accurate repetition.

Add your middle fingers

Place your middle fingers beside your index fingers. Tap lightly and keep the other fingers resting on the home row.

Add your ring fingers

Use your ring fingers for these home-row positions. Keep your wrists relaxed.

Add your little fingers

Use your little fingers at the outer home-row positions. Avoid moving the whole hand.

Join the home row

Combine the home-row movements. Your index fingers reach inward for the G and H positions, then return home.

Reach the upper row

Reach up with the highlighted finger. Return it to the home row after each press.

Reach the lower row

Reach down with the highlighted finger. Keep your eyes on the next key and maintain a steady rhythm.

Practise the number row

Reach to the number row, then return home. Key outputs depend on your layout; follow the character shown.

Use the opposite Shift

Hold Shift with the opposite hand while pressing the highlighted key. Release Shift before each space.

When you need a little more help

Keyboard setup & lesson notes

Practise French accented letters, cedillas, apostrophes, and a complete sentence while distinguishing keyboard variants.

2 minute read + practice of optional reading · Updated October 22, 2026 · By TypeScore Lab

Identify your French layout variant

French can be entered with several layouts. The built-in French AZERTY reference represents the named Windows layout, not every French, Belgian, Canadian, or newer standardized layout. If the guide disagrees with your device, use System / other rather than relearning a key from the wrong chart.

When moving from QWERTY to AZERTY, do a short warm-up before testing speed. Familiar finger movements may produce different letters, and number-row behavior can differ. The goal is predictable output on your actual device.

Practise the accent, not just the base letter

The first drill uses é in été, è in mère, and ê in fête. These are three distinct target characters. On a dead-key layout, compose the accent and vowel; on a layout with a dedicated accented key, use that key. A universal English-key shortcut would be misleading here.

The second drill adds ç and apostrophes. Type the straight apostrophe displayed in l'école. A word processor may prefer a curly apostrophe, but an exact-copy exercise intentionally distinguishes the two.

Watch repeated letters in connected writing

In J'écris une phrase française., check the opening capital and the cedilla before increasing your pace. Read the complete sentence once, then type it. If an accent causes a pause, return to the corresponding word instead of restarting your entire session.

Use the same keyboard variant in your timed French practice. Improving on AZERTY does not automatically imply the same speed on Canadian Multilingual Standard or an international QWERTY layout.

References and further help

These references explain the keyboard or writing-system behavior used in this lesson. The exercises above are TypeScore Lab practice material.

Unicode CLDR: Windows keyboard reference data

Found a spelling, layout, or input issue? Send a correction with the sample, your device, and your input method.

Learn how typing scores are calculated, or choose another language tutorial. Lessons explain text entry; they are not a complete language course.

Measure your progress now.

Use the free typing test, then review your speed curve and key-level performance.

Take a typing test →

Your lesson path