For keyboards, the present invention provides a method of determining suitable letter arrangements, to create an arrangement that is both user-friendly and efficient. The letters in the preferred embodiment are in the familiar alphabetical order so they are easy to find, and their locations are easy to learn and retain. The alphabetical sequence goes from left to right, row by row from top to bottom, first for the left hand, then for the right hand, like reading the pages of a book. This arrangement optimizes efficiency and user-friendliness, maximizing the separation of the most commonly used pairs of letters into the faster, two-handed sequences, while providing a logical and easily recognized layout. The usual four punctuation marks are placed within the layout so as to enhance both of these qualities. The locations chosen add visual symmetry and help to indicate the home positions of the fingers and the division for left and right hands, for a more intuitive and user-friendly layout: they also minimize the frequency of slow or awkward same-finger sequences, yielding higher typing speeds with reduced errors for improved efficiency. The invention far surpasses the existing standard keyboard in both efficiency and user-friendly qualities, and is therefore eminently suitable for both full-time professionals and occasional users.