How to Type With Long Nails, and the Length That Will Not Slow You Down

New nails, first morning at your desk, and suddenly every word takes twice as long and half of them are wrong. It feels like you have forgotten how to type. You have not: you are hitting keys with a different part of your finger, and there is a simple adjustment.

The technique: pads, not tips

Most people type with the very tip of each finger, which is exactly where a longer nail now sits. The fix is to strike keys with the fleshy pad just behind the nail instead. Flatten your fingers a little and let your wrists sit lower, so your hands angle towards the keyboard rather than coming down on it from above. It feels odd for a day or two, then it becomes the way you type.

Shapes that glide, and shapes that catch

If you type for a living, the shape makes more difference than the length. The strongest nail shapes covers which ones also resist breaking.

A length that does not slow you down

There is no universal number, but a useful rule of thumb: when you look at your palm, a nail that just shows beyond the fingertip is fine for almost anyone. Beyond that, the pad technique becomes essential. Nail strips can be trimmed and filed to whatever length suits you, so you can start shorter and go longer as you get used to it. Keeping them no longer than your natural nail is covered in whether strips can be longer than your nails.

Keyboards, phones and the rest

Keyboards. Low profile keys, the kind on most laptops, are easier than tall mechanical ones, because a shallow key is harder for a nail to catch on.

Phones. Touchscreens respond to skin, not nail, so aim with the pad just as at a keyboard. Using both thumbs held slightly flatter works well, and voice typing is worth using for long messages.

Buttons and ring pulls. Use the side of your finger or a knuckle. It saves the tip, which is where a nail is weakest.

Shades that suit a working week

1. Nude Blossom

A warm, polished nude that looks deliberate at a desk and does not draw the eye to your hands during a video call. See Nude Blossom.

2. Timeless Taupe

A grown up greige for anyone who wants colour that reads as smart rather than as a statement. See Timeless Taupe.

Quick answers

How do you type with long nails?

Strike the keys with the pads of your fingers rather than the tips. Flatten your hands slightly and lower your wrists so your fingers angle towards the keyboard. It takes a day or two to feel natural.

What nail shape is best for typing?

Oval and almond shapes are easiest, because a rounded tip slides off the edge of a key. Square corners catch between keys, and stiletto or coffin points are the hardest to type with.

What nail length is good for typing?

For most people, a nail that just shows past the fingertip when viewed from the palm causes no slowdown. Longer nails work too once you type with your finger pads.

Why am I making so many typos with new nails?

You are hitting keys with a different part of your finger than usual. Switching to the pads of your fingers fixes most of it within a day or two.

How do I use my phone with long nails?

Touchscreens respond to skin, so aim with the pad of your finger or thumb held slightly flatter. Voice typing helps for long messages.

Velvora makes semi-cured gel nail strips, nail polish strips and nail care in the UK. Gel sets are 20 strips for £11.99, 10 sizes with two of each, and no-lamp polish strips are £5. All TPO and HEMA free, with free UK delivery over £35. Browse the full collection or start with the beginner guide.

Related reading: nails at work, work appropriate shades and what to do when you are between sizes.