Bottom Row Typing
About Bottom Row
The bottom row completes the alphabet with the letters Z, X, C, V, B, N and M, plus the comma, period and slash. These keys sit just below the home row, so instead of reaching up, each finger curls slightly down and back to its home key. Once you have the bottom row, you can touch-type every letter of the alphabet.
You will learn the bottom row in five steps, again working from the index fingers outward: V, N, B and M with the index fingers, then C and the comma with the middle fingers, X and the period with the ring fingers, Z and the slash with the pinkies, and finally full words that draw on every letter you have learned.
How to type the bottom row
- Curl each finger down and slightly inward to reach the bottom row, then return it to its home key. The left index reaches down to B and V; the right index reaches down to N and M.
- The bottom row has the biggest reaches for the index fingers — B for the left hand and N and M for the right. Move only the finger and keep the others resting on home.
- The comma, period and slash live on the bottom row too, typed by the right middle, ring and pinky fingers. Learning them here makes punctuation feel natural later.
- Go slowly on the pinky reaches to Z and the slash. The pinkies are the weakest fingers, so accuracy matters more than speed while they build strength.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Lifting your hand off the home row to reach down. Keep your palm steady and let the finger do the curling — this keeps your typing anchored.
- Swapping B and N between hands. B is always the left index finger and N is always the right index finger; mixing them up is the most common bottom-row slip.
- Tensing the pinkies for Z and the slash. Relax your hand and tap lightly — forcing these keys leads to errors and fatigue.
Practice words
Once the keys feel familiar, drill these bottom row words — each one uses only the keys you have learned so far:
Frequently asked questions
Which fingers type the bottom row keys?
Left hand: Z with the pinky, X with the ring finger, C with the middle finger, V and B with the index finger. Right hand: N and M with the index finger, the comma with the middle finger, the period with the ring finger, and the slash and question mark with the pinky.
Which finger types the letter B?
The left index finger. It rests on F and reaches down and inward to B — one of the longest reaches on the keyboard. N and M, just across from it, are typed by the right index finger.
Why do I keep hitting the wrong bottom-row key?
The bottom row has the largest reaches, so small aiming errors are common at first. Slow down, move only the correct finger, and let it return to its home key each time. Accuracy improves quickly with short, regular practice.
Are the comma and period part of the bottom row?
Yes. The comma, period and slash sit on the bottom row and are typed by the right middle, ring and pinky fingers. You use them constantly, so learning them alongside the letters here gives you a head start on punctuation.
Do I know the whole alphabet after the bottom row?
Yes — once you finish the bottom row you can touch-type all 26 letters. Next come capital letters and punctuation, then numbers and symbols, and finally speed drills to bring everything together.