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Keyboard Tilt Calculator
Turn a tilt angle into millimetres. Enter the depth of your keyboard and the angle you want, and the calculator returns how far the rear edge has to rise. Or work backwards: measure the lift you already have and get the angle it produces.
Angle and rear-lift calculator
Front edge to rear edge, measured in millimetres.
How much higher the rear edge should sit than the front edge.
Optional. Measure how far the rear edge sits above the desk.
Rear edge rise at this angle
33.9 mm
Angle from your measured lift
15°
KeyRiser delivers a fixed 15°
33.9 mm
A 131 mm keyboard at 15° needs 33.9 mm of rear lift. KeyRiser's fixed 15° adds 33.9 mm on the same depth.
Rear lift by angle
| Angle | Rear lift |
|---|---|
| 5° | 11.4 mm |
| 8° | 18.2 mm |
| 10° | 22.7 mm |
| 12° | 27.2 mm |
| 15° KeyRiser | 33.9 mm |
| 18° | 40.5 mm |
| 20° | 44.8 mm |
Rise = keyboard depth × sin(angle). Case height and keycap height are not included.
KeyRiser is the hardware version of this result: a fixed 15° lift, 33.9 mm on a 131 mm board. See price on Amazon
How to measure your keyboard
- Lay a ruler flat on the desk along the side of the keyboard.
- Measure from the front edge of the case to the rear edge. That is the depth: the full-size MX Keys is 131 mm and the MX Keys Mini is 132 mm.
- Enter the value above. If the keyboard is already raised, measure the rear lift from the desk to the bottom of the rear edge.
Reading the result
- 8°–15° is the rear-lift range the riser guide suggests for low-profile keyboards; 15° is the upper end of that range.
- Above 15° the keyboard starts to push the forearms back, so the shoulders have to reach forward to compensate.
- This calculator is geometry, not a diagnosis: it cannot tell you whether a given angle will feel comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
What angle should my keyboard be?
For a low-profile keyboard on a standard desk, 8°–15° of rear lift is a practical starting range, and 15° is the upper end of it. The right angle for you depends on your chair, desk and keyboard height, so set one value, type for a while and adjust.
How many millimetres is 15 degrees?
It depends on the keyboard depth. On a 131 mm deep Logitech MX Keys, 15° raises the rear edge by 33.9 mm. On a 132 mm deep MX Keys Mini it is 34.2 mm, and on a shallower 115 mm keyboard it is 29.8 mm.
Does a keyboard riser change the wrist angle?
A rear lift changes the angle of the keyboard surface, which changes how the hands approach the keys. OSHA's computer-workstation guidance recommends straight wrists in line with the forearms and notes that keyboard tilt may need raising or lowering to keep that posture. Individual results vary, and this page is not medical advice.
Cite this calculator
Writers, editors and researchers may link to this page or quote the formula. The reference data page holds the full table, the method and a downloadable CSV.
Last updated:
A fixed 15° instead of a guess
KeyRiser is a two-piece riser for Logitech MX Keys, MX Keys S and MX Keys Mini. It holds the rear edge at a fixed 15°, so the angle is identical every time you sit down.
Geometry only. KeyRiser is an accessory, not a medical device. Persistent pain, numbness or tingling should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.