You can always use a phonetic layout. It might not be as authentic, but it will do the job. I'm a native Russian speaker and that's what I've been doing for years after moving to the US.
Macs have a good one built-in, on Linux you need to select Russian (phonetic, Macintosh) to get a good one.
I bought a set from AliExpress and was completely pleased with the service, but while the color was what I wanted once I had them on the keys it really wasn't enough contrast, so I ordered a different set. I then experienced weeks of AliExpress saying they'd shipped the stickers, the stickers never arrived, Ali wouldn't refund until some period of time had expired - it was a lot of trouble for just a couple Euros. I ordered the same type of stickers from Amazon for a few cents more and received my order with no problem, likewise when I ordered more stickers for a different laptop. I will order from Amazon, not Ali, in the future.
BTW, it's not AliExpress fulfilling orders. Same as Amazon, it's third party sellers using the platform to facilitate sales. AliExpress has 0 involvement in shipping items out. They can only get involved after an issue occurs with an order. That's why they have to give a time windows, to give the seller a fair chance to fulfill their transaction. After the time limit is up, they refund if the seller never shipped.
I tried those, they didn't last very long and left a sticky residue on my keyboard. It was easier for me to switch to the mnemonic Russian keyboard layout, and then I realized I didn't even need to look at the keyboard at all.
I don't need the letters indicated as well, but my parents do. I buy them these stickers from time to time. The glue leftovers can be easily removed with wd40
I prefer a phonetic layout. Russian is just a hobby for me, and I don't ever plan to visit there or use an actual Russian keyboard, so this is much more convenient for me. (The "Ш" label started "migrating" after months of me playing computer games, so I just left it off. It's pretty obvious which letter it is anyways, lol)
Easiest thing to do - buy a bunch of white stickers at an office supply store, then just draw the characters on yourself. Then just place the stickers on the keys and put clear tape over them.
You can always order a keyboard from eBay for any language for nearly the same cost. I believe Apple lets you choose the language in the laptops you buy from them in any market. I had a Dell laptop that I bought from France that I could get a replacement keyboard used online also for peanuts.
Personally I just learned to do it by memory, just pulled up an image of the keyboard on my screen and looked at it while typing. After a week I didn't have any issues typing in Russian. But I've been wanting to get keycaps from Yuzu Keycaps because I just like the vibe. You can put anything on them and change the colors and they have different keyboard layout options. I have a 60% keyboard and the ones I designed would be about $80, just haven't made the purchase yet.
try checking out AliExpress or eBay... You can snag some good deals there if you're okay with waiting for shipping. For keycaps, local sellers or keyboard forums are worth a look; they might have better prices. Keyboardyeti could have some useful stuff too, especially if you want specific recommendations or comparisons.
I'm teaching myself to type on the Russian layout right now, I bought the stickers but they didn't help and just made my keyboard worse. What did help is using https://www.keybr.com/ and setting the language to Russian. There is an on screen keyboard that shows you what key you're supposed to hit next as well if you get lost.
If you're quite serious about learning Russian I think the best option is to just set your keyboard to Russian (a standard layout, not phonetic) and then suffer through learning where the keys are over a week or two. I could type about as well in Russian as English after a few months, not proper touch typing but still typing at a decent speed without looking at the keyboard, whereas friends who used the key caps never really got beyond hunt and peck.
AliExpress definitely. That's where I buy keycaps. Jusy pay attention that the price is for the whole keyboard because I've accidentally bought only a partial amount before.
Search for "Russian Keyboard Stickers Russian‑English" on Amazon
If you have a Chery-compatible mechanical keyboard, I found some pretty cheap ones on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/IYTYIR-Russian-Mechanical-Keyboard-Removable/dp/B0DM1W4SMF/ref=sr_1_2?sr=8-2
You can always use a phonetic layout. It might not be as authentic, but it will do the job. I'm a native Russian speaker and that's what I've been doing for years after moving to the US.
Macs have a good one built-in, on Linux you need to select Russian (phonetic, Macintosh) to get a good one.
For Windows, shameless plug: here's the one I forked and modified for myself, that's designed to be close to the Linux / Mac one: https://github.com/x0wllaar/russian-phonetic-layout-windows10
You're awesome for sharing your experience and software with us.
I bought mine from AliExpress
I bought a set from AliExpress and was completely pleased with the service, but while the color was what I wanted once I had them on the keys it really wasn't enough contrast, so I ordered a different set. I then experienced weeks of AliExpress saying they'd shipped the stickers, the stickers never arrived, Ali wouldn't refund until some period of time had expired - it was a lot of trouble for just a couple Euros. I ordered the same type of stickers from Amazon for a few cents more and received my order with no problem, likewise when I ordered more stickers for a different laptop. I will order from Amazon, not Ali, in the future.
BTW, it's not AliExpress fulfilling orders. Same as Amazon, it's third party sellers using the platform to facilitate sales. AliExpress has 0 involvement in shipping items out. They can only get involved after an issue occurs with an order. That's why they have to give a time windows, to give the seller a fair chance to fulfill their transaction. After the time limit is up, they refund if the seller never shipped.
Look at r/mechmarket or r/ru_mechmarket
Temu has ru letters stickers for less than 1 euro.
I tried those, they didn't last very long and left a sticky residue on my keyboard. It was easier for me to switch to the mnemonic Russian keyboard layout, and then I realized I didn't even need to look at the keyboard at all.
I don't need the letters indicated as well, but my parents do. I buy them these stickers from time to time. The glue leftovers can be easily removed with wd40
I bought some from Temu that have lasted 2 years now.
Just buy stickers with Cyrillic
Stickers, just stickers (a Russian with a Finnish keyboard because my laptop was bought secondhand in St Petersburg).
I just brought the stickers on eBay 🤷🏼♂️
just get stickers
Aliexpress? For example https://ali.click/gb7fvk
cheapest way is to just memorise the keys
Dell KB216 USB keyboard Multimedia Black, Russian layout
I use these stickers. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JW6T536?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
I prefer a phonetic layout. Russian is just a hobby for me, and I don't ever plan to visit there or use an actual Russian keyboard, so this is much more convenient for me. (The "Ш" label started "migrating" after months of me playing computer games, so I just left it off. It's pretty obvious which letter it is anyways, lol)
https://preview.redd.it/1peg1u9bm9cg1.png?width=4000&format=png&auto=webp&s=660173183b471f85500cb9a906f035bef55893c4
Dude, you seriously need to clean your keyboard.
Why not use laser engraving?
Just learn touch typing like a boss 😎
just learn to touch type
Easiest thing to do - buy a bunch of white stickers at an office supply store, then just draw the characters on yourself. Then just place the stickers on the keys and put clear tape over them.
Not really. Source: I made it by myself once.
Ah just draw em on ye keyboard.
You can always order a keyboard from eBay for any language for nearly the same cost. I believe Apple lets you choose the language in the laptops you buy from them in any market. I had a Dell laptop that I bought from France that I could get a replacement keyboard used online also for peanuts.
You could make your own keyboard layout and match the letters phonetically (with exception of some characters). Mine is like QWERTY ЯШЕРТЙ
Continuing:
QWERTYUIOPÅÆ - ЯШЕРТЙЫИОПУ{
ASDFGHJKLÖÄ - АСДФГХЧКЛЮЭ
ZXCVBNM<>? - ЗЖЦВБНМ<>
What a coincidence, I was just planning to ask the same question here.
I'm using keychron k3v2 keyboard, reading the comments here I guess my realistic option is still stickers which I'm not really keen of using :(
Using qwerty layout saves me money of buying keyboard sticker. For example, when I press "g", what appears on screen is "г".
фыва
https://preview.redd.it/b0e3at41ybcg1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13c7ef8594a2c30b5bfce7b47c781a9809cf290c
Cheaper option would be keyboard stickers, they're great
https://preview.redd.it/mxychl36cccg1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=edf73842ab2dbc526dc16eb3072036f04bffe179
I was very pleased with mine from AliExpress. They were about $25 shipped and came super quick.
Personally I just learned to do it by memory, just pulled up an image of the keyboard on my screen and looked at it while typing. After a week I didn't have any issues typing in Russian. But I've been wanting to get keycaps from Yuzu Keycaps because I just like the vibe. You can put anything on them and change the colors and they have different keyboard layout options. I have a 60% keyboard and the ones I designed would be about $80, just haven't made the purchase yet.
https://yuzukeycaps.com/
try checking out AliExpress or eBay... You can snag some good deals there if you're okay with waiting for shipping. For keycaps, local sellers or keyboard forums are worth a look; they might have better prices. Keyboardyeti could have some useful stuff too, especially if you want specific recommendations or comparisons.
I'm teaching myself to type on the Russian layout right now, I bought the stickers but they didn't help and just made my keyboard worse. What did help is using https://www.keybr.com/ and setting the language to Russian. There is an on screen keyboard that shows you what key you're supposed to hit next as well if you get lost.
Buy the keyboard stickers. they are the best. Tgey have versions for every local keyboard layout
If you're quite serious about learning Russian I think the best option is to just set your keyboard to Russian (a standard layout, not phonetic) and then suffer through learning where the keys are over a week or two. I could type about as well in Russian as English after a few months, not proper touch typing but still typing at a decent speed without looking at the keyboard, whereas friends who used the key caps never really got beyond hunt and peck.
Йцукен stickers
I used fkcaps.com
you can customize your own keycaps on that site. pretty simple to use too
AliExpress definitely. That's where I buy keycaps. Jusy pay attention that the price is for the whole keyboard because I've accidentally bought only a partial amount before.
Just write letters with a Sharpie
I've bought sets on Ali and eBay. It takes a little searching to make sure you're getting what you want, but worth the effort.