diff --git a/java/src/org/futo/inputmethod/v2keyboard/Keyboard.kt b/java/src/org/futo/inputmethod/v2keyboard/Keyboard.kt
index 2624629bf5..e5c05dd719 100644
--- a/java/src/org/futo/inputmethod/v2keyboard/Keyboard.kt
+++ b/java/src/org/futo/inputmethod/v2keyboard/Keyboard.kt
@@ -293,7 +293,16 @@ data class Keyboard(
     val autoShift: Boolean = true,
 
     val subKeyboards: Map<KeyboardLayoutKind, SubKeyboard> = emptyMap(),
-    val imeHint: String? = null
+    val imeHint: String? = null,
+
+    /**
+     * (optional) Whether keyboard rows use staggered (center-gapped) alignment.
+     * When true (default), rows with fewer keys than the widest row are centered with
+     * gaps on either side, matching the traditional staggered keyboard layout.
+     * When false, rows are left-aligned with no centering gaps, producing an
+     * ortholinear/grid-style layout.
+     */
+    val staggered: Boolean = true
 
 
     //val element: KeyboardElement = KeyboardElement.Alphabet,
diff --git a/java/src/org/futo/inputmethod/v2keyboard/LayoutEngine.kt b/java/src/org/futo/inputmethod/v2keyboard/LayoutEngine.kt
index f4519e35f3..19f2731bde 100644
--- a/java/src/org/futo/inputmethod/v2keyboard/LayoutEngine.kt
+++ b/java/src/org/futo/inputmethod/v2keyboard/LayoutEngine.kt
@@ -360,7 +360,15 @@ data class LayoutEngine(
         val totalRowWidth = computedRow.sumOf { it.widthPx.toDouble() }.toFloat()
 
         val rowLayoutWidth = if(splittable) { layoutWidth } else { unsplitLayoutWidth }
-        val entries = mergeDuplicates(computedRow.addGap(rowLayoutWidth - totalRowWidth))
+        val entries = if(keyboard.staggered) {
+            mergeDuplicates(computedRow.addGap(rowLayoutWidth - totalRowWidth))
+        } else {
+            // Stretch keys to fill the entire row width (ortholinear/grid layout)
+            val extraPerKey = (rowLayoutWidth - totalRowWidth) / computedRow.size
+            computedRow.map { key ->
+                LayoutEntry.Key(key.data, key.widthPx + extraPerKey)
+            }
+        }
 
         return LayoutRow(
             entries = entries,