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Anumeric keypad,number pad,numpad, orten key,[1][2][3] is thecalculator-style group of ten numeric keys accompanied by other keys, usually on the far right side ofcomputer keyboard.[4] This grouping allows quick number entry with the right hand, without the need to use both hands on number row of main keyboard.[4] On a standardIBM PC keyboard, numpad has 17 keys, including digits0 to9,+ (addition),- (subtraction),* (multiplication), and/ (division) symbols,. (decimal point),Num Lock, and⌅ Enter keys.[5] On smaller keyboards (such as those found onlaptops[6]), the numeric keypad can be implemented as alternative markings on alphabetic keys (usuallyI-O-P,K-L-;,,-.-/) or added as a separate unit,[4] that can be connected to a device by means such asUSB; some of these may include keys not found on a standard numpad, such as aspacebar or a00 (or000) key.
Sometimes it is necessary to distinguish between a key on the numpad and an equivalent key elsewhere on the keyboard. For example, depending on thesoftware in use,[a] pressing the numpad's0 key may produce different results than pressing thealphanumeric0 key.[b] In such cases, the numpad-specific key may be indicated as e.g.Numpad 0,NumPad0,[c]Num 0, or likewise to remove ambiguity.
Numeric keypads usually operate in two modes. WhenNum Lock is off, keys8,6,2, and4 act like arrow/navigation keys up, right, down, and left; and7,9,3, and1 act likeHome,PgUp,PgDn, andEnd, respectively. WithNum Lock on, digit keys produce the corresponding digit. OnAppleMacintosh computers, which lack aNum Lock key, the numeric keypad always produces only numbers; theNum Lock key is replaced by theClear key.
The arrangement of digits on numeric keypads with the7-8-9 keys two rows above the1-2-3 keys is derived fromcalculators andcash registers. It is notably different from the layout oftelephone Touch-Tone keypads which have the1-2-3 keys on top and7-8-9 keys on the third row.
Numeric keypads are useful for entering long sequences of numbers quickly, such as inspreadsheets, financial/accounting programs, and calculators. Input in this style is similar to a calculator oradding machine.
A numeric keypad is also useful onWindowsPCs for typingalt codes for special symbols; for example, the degree symbol, °, can be typed on these computers with the sequenceAlt+0+1+7+6.[8]
To maintain their compact size, most laptops do not include a numeric keypad on their keyboard (though they can sometimes be found on larger models); even some desktop keyboards designed for compactness omit a numpad. To compensate, most such keyboards includeNum Lock integrated into a function key (typicallyF6 orF8) and then press keys like7 to produce their numpad counterpart.
The numeric keypad is used by somesystems for input of Chinese characters, for exampleCKC Chinese Input System andQ9 input method.
Numeric keypads are also used for playing some oldercomputer games where the player must control a character, such asroguelikes andSid Meier's Pirates!. For keyboards without a numeric keypad, some games provide alternative movement keys, such as classicRogue'sHJKL keys.
The numeric keypad can also be an alternative to theWASD keys for navigation in computer gaming. This can be an attractive option forleft-handed people who prefer to use themouse with their left hand.
Mostoperating systems have amouse keysaccessibility feature where mouse navigation can be done using the numeric keypad, with the other keys adapted to bemouse buttons.
System.ConsoleKeyenumeration:[7]NumPad0=0x60,NumPad1=0x61,NumPad2=0x62,NumPad3=0x63,...
| Esc | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | F6 | F7 | F8 | F9 | F10 | F11 | F12 | PrtScn/ SysRq | Scroll Lock | Pause/ Break | |||||||||
 | Insert | Home | PgUp | Num Lock | ∕ | ∗ | − | |||||||||||||||||
| Delete | End | PgDn | 7 | 8 | 9 | + | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ↑ | 1 | 2 | 3 | Enter | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ← | ↓ | → | 0 Ins | . Del | ||||||||||||||||||||