A keypad display method of a portable device includes initializing by partitioning a keypad display area and storing each partition area corresponding to individual gradients; checking whether the operation mode requires a keypad display; displaying a keypad in a specific area of a screen; detecting the gradient of the portable device; selecting the partition area corresponding to the detected gradient; and expanding and displaying the selected partition area. The apparatus includes a gradient sensing unit; a storage unit of expanded partition area information for each gradient; a control unit selecting expanded partition area information corresponding to the gradient; and a display area management unit reconfiguring information to be displayed according to the expanded partition area information.