The real reason why F and J tiles on keyboards have bumps on them (2025)

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For many, the tiny features on everyday objects may pass them by without a second thought.

But for others - such seemingly pointless details raise questions and they're left needing to know exactly what they're for.

The latter is coming true for Brits who are now finally discovering the real purpose of the tiny bumps on the F and J tiles on keyboards; and the answer may surprise you.

PCWorld has revealed there is actually very practical reason behind the seemingly mundane design feature.

The bumps allow those who are touch-typing to correctly position their hands and fingers on the keyboard without having to look down.

The technique, also known as blind typing, allows for faster and more accurate practice, and is based on muscle memory, hence letting the user to instinctively know where each letter is.

The F and J keys serve as a way to orient oneself around the keyboard without having to look down.

The placement is standard for QWERTY keyboards and the perfect position is to place the index of the right and left hand on the bumps and to return to that position after each letter typed with those fingers.

And it's not only the letter keys which can help typists out.

'Keyboards with a numeric keypad often also have a raised section on the key with the number five to make it easier to navigate the number field,' the outlet added.

Professional typists can reach up to 80 words per minute and some can go even higher, reaching up to 100 words a minute using the traditional touch-typing method.

And this isn't the only hidden computer hack that has surprised users.

One life-changing trick can save people having to re-type swathes of text after discovering they're accidently in upper case.

By simply highlighting all the text in the wrong case and pressing shift and F3, typists can transform their lower case text to all caps and vice versa.

It's not just keyboard-related hacks that have stunned Brits - the uses behind simple everyday objects from drinks cans to padlocks have raised eyebrows.

One ingenious life hack included the small holes beside the lock in padlocks is to drain water and avoid them going rusty, as well as providing a way to oil it.

Another surprise is the purpose of hole in the arm of the pan which was designed to keep you from having to rest your wooden spoon on the side and get it dirty while you're cooking.

One useful life hack is the hole in the tab on fizzy drink cans which can be used to keep your straw in place while you drink.

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