AZERTY vs QWERTY: Understanding the French Keyboard

If you've ever used a computer in France, you've encountered the AZERTY keyboard—and possibly been confused by it. The French keyboard layout differs significantly from the English QWERTY, with swapped letters, repositioned symbols, and unique characteristics that make French typing more efficient (for native speakers, at least).

🇫🇷 What is AZERTY?

AZERTY is the keyboard layout used primarily in France and Belgium. Named after the first six letters on the top row (just like QWERTY), it was developed for French typewriters in the late 19th century.

The layout was designed to accommodate the unique needs of French typing, including easy access to accented characters essential for correct French spelling.

📊 Key Differences Between AZERTY and QWERTY

Letter Swaps

• A ↔ Q: The most noticeable swap
• Z ↔ W: Second major difference
• M location: Moved next to L (not N)

Numbers and Symbols

On AZERTY, the number row behaves differently:

• Unshifted keys produce: &, é, ", ', (, -, è, _, ç, à
• You must hold Shift to type numbers 1-9 and 0
• Many common symbols are in unexpected positions

Accented Characters

AZERTY provides direct access to French accents:

• é - Single keystroke (number row)
• è, ù, à - Single keystroke access
• ç - Direct key available
• ê, â, î, ô, û - Using dead key ^

🤔 Why Did France Create AZERTY?

The exact origins of AZERTY are surprisingly unclear. Unlike QWERTY, which has documented history, AZERTY seems to have evolved organically during the typewriter era.

Likely reasons for the design include:

• Optimizing for French letter frequency
• Placing accented characters in accessible positions
• Mechanical typewriter considerations (similar to QWERTY)
• Simply being "different" from American typewriters

⚠️ AZERTY's Problems

Modern AZERTY has been criticized for several issues:

• Missing French characters: œ (œuf) and æ require special input
• Capital accents difficult: É, È, À require alt codes
• Euro symbol hidden: € needs Alt Gr combination
• Inconsistent implementations: Different computer makers vary slightly

🆕 The New AZERTY (NF Z71-300)

In 2019, France introduced a new standardized AZERTY layout (NF Z71-300) addressing many issues:

• All French characters accessible, including œ and æ
• Capital accented letters (É, È, Ç, À) easily typed
• Better symbol placement for programming
• Maintained backward compatibility with classic AZERTY

Adoption is gradual, but the new standard represents a significant improvement.

💻 Switching Between Layouts

For multilingual users switching between French and English computers, the layout differences create constant friction. Common issues include:

• Typing "Q" when you meant "A" (and vice versa)
• Producing accented characters when wanting numbers
• Symbol positions being completely different
• Muscle memory failing in embarrassing ways

When you accidentally type English text on an AZERTY keyboard (or French on QWERTY), KeySwap can instantly convert your garbled text to the correct layout.

Conclusion

AZERTY represents a distinct approach to keyboard design, optimized for French typing needs. While it may confuse English speakers, it provides native French users with efficient access to the characters they need most often.