A palm rest is a padded support placed in front of a keyboard or mouse that cushions the base of the palms and helps keep the wrists in a neutral, comfortable position while typing or clicking. In short, it gives the heel of your hand a soft place to settle between keystrokes so the wrists are not pressed against a hard desk edge. Palm rests are common on ergonomic desks and are often made from memory foam, gel, or vegan leather over foam. Despite the name, a palm rest is meant to support the palms during pauses, not to prop the wrists up while you actively type.
How it is used
A palm rest is placed directly in front of the keyboard or beside the mouse, level with the front edge of the device. When you pause between bursts of typing, the base of your palms rests on the cushioned pad instead of the hard desk, which reduces pressure on the wrist and forearm. Office workers, writers, gamers, and anyone at a keyboard for hours use a palm rest to make long sessions more comfortable. For mouse users, a smaller palm or wrist rest sits at the base of the mouse pad so the hand is supported during fine movements. Many desk mats offer enough depth in front of the keyboard to act as a soft resting zone on their own, and a dedicated palm rest adds extra cushioning on top of that for people who want more support.
Key characteristics
- Placement: it sits in front of the keyboard or beside the mouse, aligned with the device edge.
- Cushioning: it is filled with memory foam or gel to spread the weight of the palm evenly.
- Cover: the surface is often vegan leather, fabric, or microfibre for a smooth, cleanable feel.
- Height: a good palm rest matches the height of the keyboard so the hand stays level, not angled.
- Grip: a rubber or non-slip base keeps it from sliding during use.
- Purpose: it supports the palms during pauses to relieve pressure, not to hold the wrists up mid-typing.
- Sizing: it comes in keyboard-width and compact mouse versions to match different setups.
How to choose one
Pick a palm rest that matches the height of your keyboard so your hands stay level and your wrists stay straight; a rest that is too tall bends the wrist upward. Choose memory foam for soft, moulding support or gel for a firmer, cooler feel. Match the width to your device: a full-width rest for a standard keyboard, a compact one for a mouse or a tenkeyless board. Look for a wipeable vegan leather or fabric cover and a non-slip base so it stays put. If you already use a deep desk mat, you may only need a small mouse-side rest, since the mat already cushions the area in front of the keyboard.
Common confusion: palm rest vs wrist rest
The terms palm rest and wrist rest are used interchangeably, but ergonomically they describe slightly different ideas. A palm rest supports the heel of the palm during pauses, keeping the wrist floating and neutral while you type. A wrist rest, taken literally, would support the wrist itself, but resting the wrist directly on a pad while typing can pinch the wrist and increase strain. Ergonomics experts advise using the pad the way a palm rest is intended: as a place to rest the palms between typing, not to plant the wrists during active use. So whichever name a product uses, the correct technique is the same, support the palms and keep the wrists moving freely.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a palm rest and a wrist rest? They are often the same product. Ergonomically, a palm rest supports the base of the palm during pauses, while resting the wrist directly on a pad during typing can strain it, so the palm-rest technique is the recommended one.
Do palm rests help prevent wrist pain? Used correctly, a palm rest reduces pressure by giving the palms a soft place to settle between keystrokes and keeping the wrists neutral. It is a comfort aid, not a medical cure.
What is a palm rest made of? Most palm rests use memory foam or gel for cushioning, with a cover of vegan leather, fabric, or microfibre and a non-slip rubber base.
Should my palm rest be the same height as my keyboard? Yes. A palm rest that matches the keyboard height keeps your hands level and your wrists straight. One that is too high or low bends the wrist and adds strain.
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