What is a Num Lock?

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The Num Lock key affects the functionality of the numeric keypad, commonly placed on the right-hand side of most keyboards. It operates similarly to lock keys like Caps Lock and Scroll Lock, and its status is typically indicated by an LED light on the keyboard.

History and Reason for Num Lock Key

Early IBM PC keyboards with 84 keys lacked separate cursor control or arrow keys outside of the numeric keypad. Other keyboards from that time often had different number keys and cursor control keys. However, to save costs, IBM merged the two functions. Num Lock was created to switch between number input and cursor control on these keyboards.

Num Lock on Laptops

On some laptops, pressing Num Lock converts a section of the main keyboard into a numeric keypad, although it may appear slightly off-position. On other laptops, the Num Lock key is missing and replaced by a key combination.

Num Lock and Apple Keyboards

Apple keyboards do not combine arrow keys and numeric keypads. While some models lack arrow keys, function keys, or numeric keypads entirely, those with numeric keypads do not have a functional Num Lock key. Instead, Apple uses a Clear key, but this is not found on every Apple-manufactured keyboard.

Functionality of Num lock

The fundamental purpose of Num Lock is to toggle the numeric pad accepting numbers to that of other cursor keys. Num Lock has two states it can take.

• Enabled State − When enabled, the numeric pad generates inputs in the form of numbers (0-9) and any other enabled arithmetic character.
• Disabled State − When disabled, the numeric pad produces cursor keys inputs like ‘HOME,’ ‘END,’ and arrows keys as you can in the above picture.

Try it yourself

• Press the numeric keys while Num Lock is activated to input numbers, and see your PC responding accordingly.
• Press ‘HOME’ while Num Lock is disabled, and see your web page scroll up. ‘END’ and your web page scrolls down to the end!

Numeric Keypad: Num Lock On vs Num Lock Off

This table shows how keys on the numeric keypad behave when Num Lock is turned on or off, switching between numbers and navigation functions.

FAQs on Num Lock

1. How Num lock works?

When Num Lock is enabled, pressing the number keys on the numeric keypad will result in numbers being input. When Num Lock is disabled, pressing the number keys on the numeric keypad might move the cursor or trigger shortcuts.

2. Where is Num lock?

The Num Lock key is generally found at the top of the keyboard near the function keys. On some laptop computers, the Num Lock key is used to change part of the main keyboard into a numeric keypad.

3. How do you use Num lock?

To enable or disable Num Lock, press the Num Lock key or the combination of keys that turns it off.

4. Why is Num lock useful?

Num Lock makes entering numbers easier and faster compared to using the regular keys on the keyboard.

5. How to turn Num Lock on and off

To turn on the Num Lock function, press the Num Lock key until you see the LED indicator light turn on above it. Likewise, to turn it off, press the Num Lock key until the LED goes out.