This page does not send keyboard events to a server. It uses the browser's standard keyboard events and keeps the current test in memory only.
How this keyboard tester works
Every key press and release fires a standard browser keyboard event. This tool listens for those events and lights up the matching key on the on-screen layout in real time, so you can instantly see which physical keys register correctly. Holding several keys down together also reveals rollover and ghosting behavior — cases where a keyboard can't recognize certain key combinations at once.
Everything happens locally: no keystrokes are sent anywhere or saved, and the test resets as soon as you leave the page.
Common reasons to test a keyboard
| Situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Buying a used or second-hand keyboard | Every key registers, no sticky or dead keys |
| Laptop feels unresponsive | Which specific keys aren't registering |
| Gaming keyboard shopping | Rollover and anti-ghosting when holding multiple keys |
| New mechanical keyboard | Every switch actuates correctly out of the box |
| Remote work equipment checks | Full keyboard functionality before an important call or deadline |
Frequently asked questions
Is this keyboard tester free?
Yes. It's completely free, runs in your browser, and doesn't require an account, download or payment.
Does it work with any keyboard?
It works with any keyboard your browser can detect — laptop keyboards, external USB and wireless keyboards, and mechanical keyboards — on an English QWERTY layout.
What is key rollover and ghosting?
Rollover is how many keys a keyboard can register accurately at the same time. Ghosting happens when certain key combinations cause an extra, unintended key to register. Holding multiple keys at once here reveals how your keyboard handles this.
Can I test a laptop keyboard with this tool?
Yes — it works on laptop keyboards as well as external ones, which is handy for checking a laptop before buying it used.
Does this tool store or send my keystrokes anywhere?
No. Key presses only update the on-screen display and stay in your browser's memory. Nothing is sent to a server or saved.
Can I use this on a Mac keyboard?
Yes, though the layout shown is a standard English QWERTY layout, so a few labels like Alt/Option and Win/Command may differ from your physical keycaps.
Why don't Alt, the Windows/Start key or F1–F12 register properly?
Those keys normally trigger a browser or OS action first — Alt can open the menu bar, F1–F12 map to shortcuts like refresh, fullscreen or devtools, and the Windows/Start key opens the Start menu. This tester blocks that default behavior for Alt, the F-keys and the Menu key so they register here instead. The Windows/Command key, and a couple of browser-reserved shortcuts like F11 and F12, are intercepted by the operating system or browser before any webpage can see them — that's a security restriction, not a bug in this tool. Click "Enable full key capture" to try capturing them anyway; it works in Chrome and Edge while the page is fullscreen, but isn't supported in every browser.