# 5.3 Thumb Keys

I decided to write a section on thumb keys because of how important thumb keys are in enabling layers. If you don't use thumb keys, then you have to resort to a layer like the shift key or the other modifier keys. If you hold down one of those keys, then you have to bend your wrist making it less ergonomical. And because the thumb or pinky has to be held down, this creates a restriction in motion making keys like `T` harder to press.

Even if you have 10 thumb keys, this does not mean they are all usable. Each user will find some thumb keys more comfortable than others. There are also multiple points of contact on the thumb unlike the other fingers when' pressing a key. Below I show how I use my thumb to hit a key with the side of my thumb, the tip of the thumb and the midpoint area of my thumb.

{% hint style="info" %}
Note, the tip of the thumb is the least comfortable key for me to hit, that is why I assign the least important role to that key
{% endhint %}

![Side of thumb activating shift layer](/files/WcyDCHiqMsp4L3wTDL4q)

![side of thumb activating editing/navigating layer](/files/DMYYrED9RNxW25896dRI)

![tip of the thumb activating alt modifier layer](/files/ppiygLqEHcNvZxIaWTxw)

![thumb near knuckle activating application layer](/files/Jkpxbfi9W8LURD0hMArZ)


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