title: Appearance Settings
description: Customize keyboard size, shape, and visual options
category: Settings
difficulty: beginner
related_spec: ../specs/settings/appearance-spec.md
Appearance Settings
Configure how the keyboard looks on screen, including size, margins, key shapes, and visual effects.
Quick Summary
| Purpose | Customize keyboard appearance |
| Access | Settings > Appearance |
| Options | Height, margins, key shape, effects |
Keyboard Height
Adjust the overall keyboard height:
| Extra Small | Compact keyboard for small screens |
| Small | Reduced height |
| Normal | Default height |
| Large | Increased height |
| Extra Large | Maximum height for easier tapping |
How to Change
- 1. Open Settings > Appearance
- 2. Find Keyboard Height
- 3. Drag slider or select preset
- 4. Preview shows change immediately
Bottom Margin
Add space between keyboard and screen edge:
| 0 | Keyboard touches screen edge |
| Small | Minimal gap |
| Medium | Comfortable gap |
| Large | Significant gap (for gestures) |
Useful for phones with gesture navigation.
Horizontal Margins
Add space on left and right sides:
| None | Full-width keyboard |
| Small | Slight inset |
| Medium | One-handed reaching |
| Large | Centered narrow keyboard |
Key Shape
Customize individual key appearance:
| Rounded | Smooth rounded corners |
| Square | Sharp corners |
| Pill | Highly rounded (oval) |
| Minimal | Very subtle key borders |
Key Gap
Space between keys:
| None | Keys touch each other |
| Tight | Minimal separation |
| Normal | Default spacing |
| Wide | Clear separation |
Visual Effects
Key Press Animation
| None | No visual feedback |
| Highlight | Key brightens on press |
| Scale | Key slightly enlarges |
| Both | Highlight + scale |
Key Pop-up
Show character preview on press:
| Enabled | Shows pop-up above pressed key |
| Disabled | No pop-up preview |
| On Hold Only | Pop-up for long press only |
Prediction Bar
Bar Height
| Hidden | No prediction bar |
| Compact | Single-row, small |
| Normal | Standard height |
| Expanded | Taller, easier to tap |
Suggestion Count
Number of visible suggestions:
| 3 | Three evenly spaced |
| 5 | Five suggestions |
| Auto | Adapts to screen width |
Tips and Tricks
- • Large screens: Use larger height and keys
- • Small screens: Reduce margins and gaps
- • One-handed: Add horizontal margin on one side
- • Gesture nav: Add bottom margin
[!TIP]
Use "Preview" mode in settings to see changes before applying.
All Appearance Settings
| Height | Appearance | XS/S/M/L/XL or slider |
| Bottom Margin | Appearance | 0-48dp |
| Side Margins | Appearance | 0-32dp |
| Key Shape | Appearance | Rounded/Square/Pill/Minimal |
| Key Gap | Appearance | None/Tight/Normal/Wide |
| Press Animation | Appearance | None/Highlight/Scale/Both |
| Key Pop-up | Appearance | On/Off/Hold Only |
| Bar Height | Predictions | Hidden/Compact/Normal/Expanded |
Common Questions
Q: How do I make the keyboard smaller?
A: Reduce keyboard height and add side margins for a narrower, shorter keyboard.
Q: Why does my keyboard look different in some apps?
A: Some apps apply their own styling. CleverKeys tries to maintain your settings.
Q: Can I have different sizes for portrait and landscape?
A: Yes, configure separate height settings for each orientation in Settings > Appearance > Orientation.
Related Features
Technical Details
See Appearance Technical Specification.