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Asked: 2024-09-26T00:16:13+05:30 In:

How can I determine the keycodes associated with the function keys on my keyboard in Ubuntu?

I’ve been really diving into customizing my keyboard shortcuts in Ubuntu, and I’ve hit a bit of a wall. So, I’m hoping to get some advice from you all. I’m trying to figure out how to determine the keycodes associated with the function keys (F1 – F12) on my keyboard, but I’m not quite sure where to start.

I’ve checked out a few forums and guides, but they all seem to assume you already know a lot of technical stuff. I mean, I can navigate around my system, but when it comes to keycodes and stuff, I’m feeling a bit lost. I’ve tried looking into tools like xev, but I’m not entirely sure if I’m using it right. I see the output, but the keycode stuff seems to take a bit of deciphering, and I really want to make sure I’m not just missing the obvious.

Also, are there any terminal commands that might help me get the information I need? I’ve found that I usually have better luck in the terminal, but I’m unsure which commands will give me what I need for the function keys specifically. I’d really like to set up some custom shortcuts for my workflow, but I don’t want to mess things up if I’m not 100% clear on the keycodes.

And just to add another layer to this, I use my laptop keyboard primarily, but I also have a USB keyboard I sometimes use. It seems like there could be differences in the keycodes between the two, right? So, would that change how I approach finding these keycodes?

If anyone has gone through this process or knows of any straightforward resources, I’d love to hear your experiences or tips. Seriously, any guidance would be immensely helpful. I’m really eager to get this sorted, so I can take my Ubuntu setup to the next level! Thanks in advance!

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    2 Answers


    1. To determine the keycodes associated with the function keys (F1-F12) on your keyboard in Ubuntu, using the xev utility is a great start. Launch it by entering xev in your terminal; a small window will appear. When you press one of the function keys, look for the output in the terminal that includes “keycode“. For example, you might see something like “keycode 67” when pressing F1. This output will help you find the corresponding keycodes for each function key. Don’t worry if it feels a bit confusing at first; focus on the lines where it states the keycode and keysym, as these indicate the specific actions of your function keys.

      As for terminal commands that could help provide more information, you might want to explore the showkey command if you’re in a virtual console (CTRL+ALT+F3 to access a terminal interface outside of your GUI). Running showkey will display the keycodes directly as you press each function key. Should you find there are discrepancies between the keycodes from your laptop’s built-in keyboard and your USB keyboard, it’s possible since different keyboards may have varying configurations. Therefore, be sure to test the keycodes for each keyboard individually to confirm how they correspond to your shortcuts. This process will aid you greatly in streamlining your Ubuntu experience.



    2. Finding Keycodes for Function Keys in Ubuntu

      If you’re trying to get the keycodes for the function keys (F1 – F12) on your keyboard, there are a couple of simple ways to do it without getting too deep into technical mumbo jumbo.

      Using xev

      You mentioned xev, and it’s a great tool for this! Here’s a super easy way to use it:

      1. Open your terminal (you can use Ctrl + Alt + T).
      2. Type in xev and press Enter.
      3. A little window will pop up. Now, just press one of the function keys (like F1).
      4. Look at the terminal where you ran xev; you’ll see output that includes keycode.

      The output will look like this:

          KeyPress event, serial 37, synthetic NO, event number 3, 
    keycode 67 (keysym 0xffc2, F1), same_screen YES

      The keycode number is what you need!

      Using `showkey`

      If you prefer terminal commands, you can also use showkey:

      1. Open the terminal again.
      2. Type sudo showkey and press Enter.
      3. Now, just press a function key, and it will show you the keycode in the terminal.

      Different Keyboards

      About your concern with different keyboards: yes, there might be differences in keycodes between your laptop and your USB keyboard. When using xev or showkey, check the output separately for each keyboard to see their corresponding keycodes. This way, you’ll know exactly which codes you’re working with for each device.

      Keep It Simple!

      Don’t sweat it too much! Once you know the keycodes, setting up your custom shortcuts can be a lot easier. Just make sure to write down the keycodes you find so you can reference them later!

      Good luck with your keyboard customization journey! You’ve got this!


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