What Is the Backspace Key?

The Backspace key erases the letter just before the blinking line that shows where you are typing. Each press erases one more letter. Holding it down keeps erasing until you let go.

What it looks like

It is at the right end of the row of numbers, and it is wider than the number keys. Some keyboards show an arrow pointing left on it.

On Windows and on a Mac

On a Windows keyboard the key is marked Backspace. Many Windows keyboards also have a separate key marked Delete or Del, which erases the letter after the blinking line instead. On a Mac keyboard the key in the Backspace place is marked delete, and it erases the letter before the blinking line, as Backspace does.