It can be super annoying trying to type on the keyboard or your phone screen when you have long acrylic nails on your finger. Not only does it become more difficult to register the right alphabet, but the tap-tap noise you’re making can annoy you or those around you. The struggle is real, ladies. 

That said, a slower typing style may not be enough reason to swap your acrylic nails for natural nails. Artificial nails are trendy and beautiful nails compared to boring shorter nails that bring no impact whatsoever.

How to type with long nails? The best way to type with long or fake nails is to remember to use your fingers, not your fingernails when typing. Remember to type slowly. It’s better to reduce your typing speed to avoid breaking your nails or making typos. With proper technique and enough practice, you should be able to type on the keyboard or text on the phone with long nails effectively.

Relax ladies. We’ve got you. We have more tips and tricks in store to help you type with long nails properly. By the end of this post, you should be typing so gracefully that you’ll turn many heads around you. After all, no one should sacrifice looking their best while trying to become more productive, whether you’re working from home or the office. 

We hope you love our tips & how-tos. Office Solution Pro is supported by its readers. This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

How to Type With Long Nails or Fake Nails

Several things to consider when typing on a keyboard with long nails, especially acrylic nails. Here are the best tips and tricks on how to type on the keyboard with long or fake nails:

1. Consider your nail shape

Nails come in all different shapes and sizes. However, your fake nails shouldn’t be absurdly long since they can make your life a living struggle. Forget about typing; you can hurt yourself, find difficulty eating, and even have a hard time putting on clothes. The list goes on and on. Cosmopolitan summarized it best, as there are many annoying things you can’t do by having long nails. 

Fingernails come in different shapes and sizes. However, choosing the right shape can help you type better with long nails.

If you want to achieve better productivity, consider choosing the right nail shape. It’s obvious that sharp and pointy fingernails will give you a hard time typing. Oval or flat-shaped nails, on the other hand, are better choices when it comes to typing on a keyboard. Beauty doesn’t have to make your life harder. 🙂

2. Type with your fingers, not your nails

Many women with long nails fall into the trap of typing on the keyboard with their fingernails, not their fingers. This is counter-intuitive because your fingernails don’t provide a wide point of contact like your fingers. It’s a good idea to straighten your fingers so that you can easily glide across the keyboard rather than using the tips of your fingers directly on it.

Not only is typing with your nails uncomfortable, but you are more likely to break or damage them. To help you become more comfortable, try to adjust your sitting posture accordingly. Ensure that your elbows are bent at a neutral 90-degree angle to allow natural finger placement when typing on the keyboard.

PRO TIP: For those with long nails, we’ve dedicated a special list of the best keyboard for long nails. We have spent many hours researching and testing to help you find the optimal keyboard that caters to your long or acrylic nails. Check it out if you are serious about finding better productivity at work.

3. Focus on precision, not speed

Let’s face it. You’ll have to sacrifice one thing if you choose to type with long nails: speed. This shouldn’t be an issue, as typing accurately can more than makeup for the decrease in speed. Precision is all about how you can press the right keys consistently. By eliminating typos, you can save more time when typing on the keyboard.

When you are typing in a rush, you’ll tend to make more mistakes. This, in turn, can waste more valuable time than many imagined. Think about it, every time you have to erase a misspelled word; you have to go back and retype that word. By focusing on your typing accuracy, the speed will come naturally. 

4. Practice makes perfect

With enough time, typing on a keyboard will become second nature, under the condition that you learn to type with the proper technique. Think of it as learning to ride a bicycle. At first, you might need training wheels, but over time, you will naturally become better. Before you know it, you’re riding the bike without even thinking.

We highly recommend you learn how to type without looking at the keyboard. The goal is not to encourage you to touch type (the term for typing without looking) but to help you understand the proper finger positioning when typing on a keyboard. By doing so, you will naturally type faster and more effectively, with or without long nails.

5. Try Different Keyboards

Keyboard technology has come a long way since the days of the analog typewriter. Now, you have a pick of a wide assortment of keyboards that not only help you type faster and more comfortable but also make it easier to type with artificial nail enhancements.

Check out this list of the best keyboards for unusual nail shapes and lengths. The post also details why some products are better for you than others. Make sure you consider your specific type of artificial nail enhancement before picking out a keyboard to be sure you choose the right one. 

How to Text with Long or Fake Nails

Texting or typing on a smartphone is a whole different animal from typing on a keyboard. This is because typing on a phone focuses on using your thumbs, whereas typing on a keyboard involves using your other fingers. With that said, here are the best tips and tricks on how to text with long or fake nails:

1. Use a stylus to write or type

The best and easiest way to text on your phone with long nails is to use a universal stylus. These ‘pens’ take the hassle out of texting or typing on your phone and can be used anytime, anywhere. You never have to worry about broken fingernails or typos as it will be as easy as writing with a pen.

If you want to use a stylus for your phone, buy a universal stylus that’s compatible with all devices. We found one on Amazon that not only is universal but also comes with replacement tips as well. This will allow you to choose how you want to use it, either for drawing, writing, or typing. You can check it out here. 

2. Use the side of your nails

While using a stylus is the best way to text with long nails, another method is to use the side of your nails. Hold the phone with your less-dominant hand while using the index finger of your dominant hand to type. While your speed will dramatically decrease, this is arguably the only way to ensure maximum accuracy. 

Should you want to use both index fingers, you can place your phone on the table. This will free up both hands, allowing you to type with both index fingers. We don’t recommend doing this for an extended period, as looking down for too long may put an enormous strain on your neck.

3. It takes time to master

As with any new skill, it will take time for you to master. Texting with long nails is not convenient by any means. However, once you get the hang of it, typing with one finger will become easier. If things get too hard, you should reconsider having long fingernails. Who knows, clipping them can make your life way simpler.

You may also want to read:

• Best Split Keyboard
• Best Under Desk Keyboard Tray
• Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Wrist Pain
• Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Mac

Final Takeaways

And there you have it, a simple guide on how to type with long nails or fake nails effectively. By following the tips in this post, you’ll be sure to type with more confidence knowing that you can look beautiful and be productive simultaneously. At the end of the day, it’s all about combining form and function. Stay foxy ladies, much love! 🙂