Computer Keyboard Piano Layout & Mappings
Octype maps your physical computer keys directly to piano note frequencies. Understanding the layouts allows you to play complex chords and melodies cleanly. The application includes two built-in mappings:Default (3 octaves) and Max (5 octaves).
1. Default Mapping (3-Octave Range)
The Default mapping spans C4 to C6. This layout places white keys on your physical letter rows and black keys on the row directly above them, similar to traditional virtual keyboards.
Octave 1 (C4 to B4)
| Note | Computer Key | Type |
|---|---|---|
| C4 | Tab | White Key |
| C#4 | 1 | Black Key |
| D4 | Q | White Key |
| D#4 | 2 | Black Key |
| E4 | W | White Key |
| F4 | E | White Key (Gap) |
| F#4 | 4 | Black Key |
| G4 | R | White Key |
| G#4 | 5 | Black Key |
| A4 | T | White Key |
| A#4 | 6 | Black Key |
| B4 | Y | White Key |
Octave 2 (C5 to B5)
| Note | Computer Key | Type |
|---|---|---|
| C5 | U | White Key |
| C#5 | 8 | Black Key |
| D5 | I | White Key |
| D#5 | 9 | Black Key |
| E5 | O | White Key |
| F5 | P | White Key (Gap) |
| F#5 | - | Black Key |
| G5 | [ | White Key |
| G#5 | = | Black Key |
| A5 | ] | White Key |
| A#5 | Backspace | Black Key |
| B5 | \ | White Key |
Octave 3 (C6 to B6)
| Note | Computer Key | Type |
|---|---|---|
| C6 | Z | White Key |
| C#6 | S | Black Key |
| D6 | X | White Key |
| D#6 | D | Black Key |
| E6 | C | White Key |
| F6 | V | White Key (Gap) |
| F#6 | G | Black Key |
| G6 | B | White Key |
| G#6 | H | Black Key |
| A6 | N | White Key |
| A#6 | J | Black Key |
| B6 | M | White Key |
2. Max Mapping (5-Octave Range)
The Max mapping covers C2 to C6 plus an extra C7 note (36 white keys total). To fit 5 octaves onto a standard typing keyboard, this mode uses a continuous sequence for white keys and requires holding down the Shift key to play black keys.
White Key Layout Sequence (Bass to Treble)
C3 Octave: 8, 9, 0, Q, W, E, R
C4 Octave: T, Y, U, I, O, P, A
C5 Octave: S, D, F, G, H, J, K
C6 Octave: L, Z, X, C, V, B, N
C7 Note: M
Shift-Based Black Key Accidentals
Holding Shift while pressing any white key trigger transforms it into its respective black key accidental offset (if one exists for that pitch class).
C3 Blacks: Shift+8 (C#3), Shift+9 (D#3), Shift+Q (F#3), Shift+W (G#3), Shift+E (A#3)
C4 Blacks: Shift+T (C#4), Shift+Y (D#4), Shift+I (F#4), Shift+O (G#4), Shift+P (A#4)
C5 Blacks: Shift+S (C#5), Shift+D (D#5), Shift+G (F#5), Shift+H (G#5), Shift+J (A#5)
C6 Blacks: Shift+L (C#6), Shift+Z (D#6), Shift+C (F#6), Shift+V (G#6), Shift+B (A#6)
Mapped Range vs. Visible Range
It is important to distinguish the Mapped Range (the actual frequencies bound to your physical keyboard keys) from the Visible Range (the visual keys displayed on your monitor).
- Mapped Range: Statically bound to your keyboard rows. It anchors around a specific base pitch (e.g., C4 for Default mapping; C2 for Max mapping). Shifting the mapped range up/down shifts the pitch of your physical keys.
- Visible Range: The visual keyboard displayed on screen. You can change how many octaves are drawn, or slide the scroll window left/right using on-screen sliders or arrow keys, without changing the notes played by typing.
Custom Layout Editor
If neither preset suits your style, you can map individual notes manually. Open the Settingsdrawer, select Custom Mapping, pick your octave range, and build a custom layout by clicking keys and pressing the physical buttons to bind them. Custom configurations are stored in your browser'slocalStorage so they remain loaded on subsequent visits.