---
title: "Why are there F1-F12 keys on the QWERTY keyboard?"  
description: "Why are there F1-F12 keys on the QWERTY keyboard?"  
author: "Mukul Goenka"  
published: 2022-05-11  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/97298/why-are-there-f1-f12-keys-on-the-qwerty-keyboard  
category: "troubleshooting"  
tags: ["troubleshooting", "keyboard"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Why are there F1-F12 keys on the QWERTY keyboard?

Why are there F1-F12 [keys](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/213/keys-in-database) on the [QWERTY keyboard](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/52011/who-first-developed-the-qwerty-keyboard-used-in-computers-and-phones)?

## Answers

### Answer by Hitesh Vohra

![Why are there F1-F12 keys on the QWERTY keyboard?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/5901a29c-f7ec-47de-9550-df1ac16aa2d1/images/b1c9c815-8220-4ddd-a53c-51c15124a2bb.jpeg) **\**

- **F1 through F12 are the function keys**, or F keys, that run across the top of the [**keyboard**](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/97293/what-is-the-most-important-function-of-the-computer-keyboard). These keys serve as shortcuts for tasks such as saving files, printing data, and refreshing a webpage.
- The F1 key, for example, is frequently used as the default help key in many apps. In an Internet browser, the F5 key is used to refresh or reload a web page. Each operating system and software programme may have different functions for these keys.
- F1 through F12 are the function keys on today's standard PC keyboards. F1 through F24 are the function keys on some specialised PC keyboards.

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**Read More: [Is it worth it to switch from QWERTY to Dvorak typing?](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/97297/is-it-worth-it-to-switch-from-qwerty-to-dvorak-typing)**


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/97298/why-are-there-f1-f12-keys-on-the-qwerty-keyboard

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