The fastest way to switch keyboards on a Chromebook

You can change your keyboard layout or add a new language keyboard in about two minutes through your Chromebook's settings. The process is the same whether you want to switch to QWERTY, DVORAK, Colemak, or a keyboard for another language like Spanish, French, or Chinese.

Open your Chromebook's settings by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then selecting the gear icon. Go to Languages and input, then Input method. From there, you can add a new keyboard, remove one you don't use, or set which keyboard appears by default when you turn on your device.

Once you've added a keyboard, a language or layout indicator appears in your system tray (bottom right). Click it to switch between keyboards when ready while you're typing.

Key Takeaways

  • New keyboards are added through Settings > Languages and input > Input method, and take effect when ready.
  • A keyboard switcher icon appears in your system tray once you add a second keyboard, letting you toggle between them without reopening settings.
  • You can set a default keyboard so your preferred layout loads when you log in, rather than always starting with English QWERTY.
  • Chromebooks support dozens of keyboard layouts and language-specific keyboards, including phonetic input for languages like Japanese and Korean.
  • Keyboard changes are tied to your Google account, so the same keyboards follow you if you sign into a different Chromebook.

Step-by-step: adding a new keyboard layout

Click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen. A menu will open showing your battery, network, and other quick settings. Look for the gear icon and click it to open the full Settings page.

On the left side of Settings, find and click Languages and input. This section controls how your Chromebook understands text input. Under that heading, click Input method.

You'll see a list of keyboards you've already added (usually just English at first). Below that list is an Add input method button. Click it to see all available keyboards. Type the name of the layout or language you want — for example, "Dvorak", "French", or "Spanish" — and click the one that matches what you need. It will be added to your list when ready.

Close the Settings tab. You're done. The new keyboard is now available.

How to switch between keyboards while typing

Once you've added more than one keyboard, a keyboard indicator appears in your system tray at the bottom right of the screen. It shows the abbreviation of your current keyboard — "ENG" for English, "FRA" for French, and so on.

Click that indicator to open a small menu showing all your keyboards. Click the one you want to switch to. Your next keystroke will use that keyboard's layout.

You can also use a keyboard shortcut to cycle through your keyboards without opening the menu. The default shortcut is Ctrl + Space on most Chromebooks, though some models use Ctrl + Shift + Space. Press it repeatedly to cycle through your keyboards in order.

Setting a default keyboard so it loads at login

If you use one keyboard much more than others, you can make it your default so it's ready when you log in. Open Settings, go to Languages and input, then Input method.

In the list of keyboards you've added, find the one you want to be default. Click the three dots next to it and select Set as default. From now on, that keyboard will be active when you first log in.

You can still switch to other keyboards at any time using the system tray indicator or keyboard shortcut. Changing keyboards doesn't change your default — it only affects the current session until you log out.

Removing keyboards you no longer use

If you've added keyboards you don't need anymore, you can delete them to clean up your keyboard switcher menu. Go to Settings > Languages and input > Input method.

Find the keyboard you want to remove. Click the three dots next to it and select Remove. It will disappear from your list and from the keyboard switcher menu.

You must keep at least one keyboard on your Chromebook at all times, so you cannot remove your last keyboard. If you only have one keyboard and want to switch to a different one, add the new keyboard first, then remove the old one.

Keyboard layouts and language-specific input methods

Chromebooks support many keyboard layouts beyond the standard QWERTY. DVORAK arranges keys to reduce finger movement and is popular with people who type for long hours. Colemak is another alternative layout designed for efficiency. Workman is a newer layout that prioritizes comfort.

For non-English languages, Chromebooks offer both phonetic keyboards (where you type the sounds and the system converts them to the correct characters) and traditional layouts. For example, Chinese input includes Pinyin (phonetic), Japanese includes Hiragana and Romaji, and Korean includes Hangul. These are especially useful if you're learning a language or regularly communicate in one.

You can add as many keyboards as you need. Some people keep three or four active — English QWERTY for work, a second language for family communication, and a specialty layout for coding or writing. All of them are accessible from the system tray.

Troubleshooting keyboard problems on Chromebook

If you've added a keyboard but it's not appearing in your system tray, sign out and sign back in. Keyboard settings are synced through your Google account, and sometimes a fresh login helps the system recognize new input methods.

If the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Space) isn't working, check whether another program or extension has claimed that shortcut. Open Settings > Languages and input > Input method and look for a note about keyboard shortcuts. You can also just use the system tray indicator instead — it always works.

If you're using a physical external keyboard and the layout doesn't match what you're typing, the issue is usually that your Chromebook's input method is set to a different layout than your physical keyboard. For example, if your keyboard is DVORAK but your Chromebook is set to QWERTY, the keys won't match. Switch your input method to match your physical keyboard, or change your physical keyboard to match your Chromebook's setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different keyboard layout on an external keyboard than on my Chromebook's built-in keyboard?

No. The keyboard layout setting applies to all keyboards connected to your Chromebook — built-in and external. If you need different layouts for different keyboards, you'll have to manually switch the input method each time you connect a different keyboard. Most people keep one layout active to avoid confusion.

Will my keyboard settings follow me if I sign into a different Chromebook?

Yes. Your keyboard settings are saved to your Google account. When you sign into any Chromebook with the same account, all your keyboards and your default keyboard choice will be there.

What's the difference between a keyboard layout and a language input method?

A keyboard layout (like DVORAK or QWERTY) changes where letters appear on the keyboard but still produces English text. A language input method (like Chinese Pinyin or Japanese Hiragana) lets you type in a different language entirely. You can combine them — for example, French AZERTY is both a layout and a language.

Can I customize a keyboard layout or create my own?

Chromebooks don't have a built-in tool to create custom keyboard layouts. You're limited to the layouts and languages Google provides. If you need a highly specialized layout, you may need to use a different device or look into third-party tools, though these are not officially supported.

Why does my keyboard keep switching back to English?

This usually happens if English is set as your default keyboard. Check Settings > Languages and input > Input method and make sure your preferred keyboard is marked as default. If you're switching keyboards with a shortcut and it keeps reverting, try using the system tray indicator instead to see if the problem persists.