At least 15% and possibly as much as 25% of the population is left handed, and yet lefties still often have a hard time finding suitable office supplies to accommodate left-side dominance. Ask Ergo Works offers a variety of ergonomic products for left-handed people to help customize their workstation for maximum comfort and ergonomic health.
The short answer: good ergonomics for left-handed people comes down to three changes — a mouse shaped for the left hand (or a truly symmetrical or centered device), a keyboard that moves the numeric keypad to the left or out of the way, and a desk layout that keeps your most-used items on your dominant side. Simply moving a right-handed mouse to the left side of the desk isn't enough.
Key takeaways
- A right-handed mouse moved to the left side still forces your hand into an unnatural grip; choose a left-hand or ambidextrous shape.
- Trackballs, touchpads, and centered pointing devices work equally well with either hand.
- A standard keyboard's numeric keypad pushes the mouse farther from a left-handed user; a left-hand numpad or compact keyboard fixes that.
- Keep your phone, pens, and reference documents within easy reach on your left side.
- Employers buying in bulk can choose symmetrical devices that suit both left- and right-handed staff.
Left-handed setups are one example of a broader principle: a workstation should fit the person using it, not an imagined average user. Our guide to ergonomic solutions for every body covers how that applies to petite users, older workers, pregnant employees, and more.
What Is the Best Mouse for a Left-Handed Person?
The best left-handed ergonomic mouse is one contoured for the left hand, or a symmetrical design that fits either hand without forcing a right-handed grip. Gone are the days where you would just switch your mouse to the left side of your desktop and call it a day. When selecting a mouse as a left-handed person, it's important to look for a contour that fits the left hand comfortably. If you're a business owner looking to buy in bulk for your office, find a symmetrical design that could suit both left and right-handed users.
The Goldtouch Ergonomic Mouse is a good example: it's offered in left-hand, right-hand, and wireless versions, so left-handed users don't have to settle for a mirrored workaround. Vertical ambidextrous designs such as the Kinesis DXT Mouse 3 let you switch hands whenever you like.
Alternative input devices include:
Track Balls
Track BallsCan be used ambidextrously and also reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome or other related repetitive stress injuries in the hands.
Touch Pad
Touch PadTouch pads can be used with either hand and can be placed centered or on either side of the desktop.
Centered pointing devices
A centered device sits directly in front of the keyboard, so neither hand has to reach to the side. The Contour Touch centered touchpad and RollerMouse-style devices are especially useful in shared offices, because left- and right-handed users can use the same workstation without rearranging anything.
Which Keyboard Is Best for Left-Handed Users?
Choose a keyboard designed so a left-handed person can use it easily — usually one with the numeric keypad on the left, or no keypad at all, so the mouse can sit close to your body. On a standard full-size keyboard, the keypad sits on the right; that doesn't bother the left hand directly, but anyone who mouses on the right then has to reach past it, and left-handed users who use the keypad end up crossing their body.
Some options include:
Left-Handed Keyboard
Left-Handed KeyboardPlaces the numeric keypad and control keys on the left hand side.
Split Keyboard
Split KeyboardA sectional or split keyboard allows flexibility with its arrangement to allow for correct typing posture for the hands and wrists. You can also choose to place the numeric keypad on the left hand side.
Left-handed input options at a glance
| Device | Works for lefties because… | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Left-hand contoured mouse | Shaped for the left hand instead of mirrored | Dedicated left-handed users |
| Ambidextrous or vertical mouse | Symmetrical shape works in either hand | Shared desks and switching hands |
| Trackball | Thumb or finger control with little arm movement | Limited desk space or wrist strain |
| Touchpad or centered device | Sits in front of the keyboard, no side reach | Mixed-handed offices |
| Left-hand numpad or compact keyboard | Keeps the mouse close to the body | Heavy number entry or narrow desks |
How Should a Left-Handed Workstation Be Arranged?
Mirror the usual layout: keep your most-used items on your left and within easy reach. Arrange your workstation in such a way that your most used items such as your work phone, stapler, reference documents, or pens are on the left side of your desk. The same ergonomic principles apply in terms of reaching distance and maintaining posture during reaching, so make sure these items are easily accessible and within arm's reach. By tailoring your workstation to accommodate your dominant side, you will be more comfortable throughout the day and experience less repetitive stress on your limbs.
- Keyboard tray: if you use one, make sure the mouse platform can be moved to the left. Reversible trays such as the Workrite 27" Reversible Keyboard Tray simply flip over for left or right use.
- Document holder: place reference material on the side you write on, or directly in line between keyboard and monitor.
- Phone: position it on the left if you dial or write notes with your left hand, and consider a headset so you're not cradling the handset.
Handedness is only one kind of need an office should plan for. If you're equipping a team, our guide to accessible ergonomic equipment covers adjustable workstations and assistive technology, and our article on computer setups for low vision covers large-print and braille keyboards.
Recommended Products for Left-Handed Users
Browse all of our ergonomic keyboards and mice to find more products that suit left-handed users.
Get Your Left-Handed Setup Checked
If you've been working around a right-handed setup for years, a quick assessment usually finds several easy wins. Our specialists can review your workstation in our Palo Alto showroom or virtually and recommend devices that fit your dominant hand.
👉 Request an Ergonomic Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do left-handed people need a special mouse?
Not always, but it helps. A right-handed ergonomic mouse used in the left hand forces an awkward grip, so lefties do best with a left-hand contoured mouse or a truly symmetrical, ambidextrous design. Trackballs, touchpads, and centered devices are good alternatives too.
Is there a left-handed keyboard?
Yes. Left-handed keyboards place the numeric keypad and control keys on the left side. Split keyboards and compact keyboards without a keypad are also popular with left-handed users because they let you position everything closer to your body.
Should a left-handed person put the mouse on the left?
Usually, yes, if that's the hand you control the mouse with — but use a mouse shaped for the left hand. Some left-handed people mouse with their right hand out of habit; if that's comfortable and pain-free, there's no need to switch.
What's the best mouse for an office with both left- and right-handed staff?
Symmetrical or ambidextrous mice and centered pointing devices are the most practical choice for shared desks and bulk purchases, because anyone can use them without rearranging the workstation.
About the Author
Anne Kramer writes for Ask Ergo Works, where our ergonomic specialists have been fitting chairs and workstations from our Palo Alto showroom for more than 30 years.
