ANSI or ISO? How to Identify Your MacBook's Keyboard Layout

David Adubiina -

If you're a Mac user and have noticed a drop in your efficiency, it could be because of your keyboard layout. Understanding the differences between keyboard layouts can help you determine which one is the most comfortable for you and increase your work efficiency.

In this guide, we will discuss the key distinctions between ANSI and ISO MacBooks and provide step-by-step instructions to help you identify which layout your MacBook has.

Differences between ANSI and ISO Keyboards

Before we identify the process, let's briefly differentiate between ANSI and ISO keyboards:

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Keyboard

  • ANSI keyboards are prevalent in North America and the Australian region.
  • This layout features a smaller rectangular Enter key and a larger left Shift key.
  • The key arrangement is optimized for English and resembles the typical US keyboard layout.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Keyboard

  • ISO keyboards are commonly used in Europe and Asia.
  • The most noticeable difference is the larger Enter key, which occupies two vertical rows, and a smaller left Shift key compared to ANSI.
  • ISO keyboards often accommodate additional keys for accented characters, catering to various European languages.