Choosing your keyswitches? Start here.

Key switches are one of the most important aspects of a mechanical keyboard. Getting to know your options will help you get the most out of your keyboard.

What are mechanical keyswitches?

Each key on a mechanical keyboard hides an actual physical switch under it, unlike the squishy rubber membrane you'd find on most keyboards. Typing on these mechanical switches is a very different experience from typing on regular ones. The keys have more travel, and are much more tactile; you don't have to press the keys all the way down to get them to register, which makes typing easier on the fingers; and of course, mechanical keyboards have their own unique sound. They sound like a keyboard.

What are your options?

When buying one of our keyboards, you get to choose from many different keyswitch types. When choosing your switches, there are several things you should consider:

How much noise do you want your keyboard to make? Do you want a clicky switch or a non-clicky switch?
Do you prefer a smoother typing experience, or do you want to feel a slight bump when the key is actuated? Do you want a linear ("no bump") or a tactile switch?
How much force do you want to use when typing on your keyboard? This is usually measured in grams of pressure.

If you can find some friends with mechanical keyboards, try out different keyswitches to see what feels best under your fingers.

Our keyswitches

Here are the keyswitches we currently offer.

Cherry MX Brown

Our most popular switch. Cherry MX Brown switches are tactile and quiet. Excellent for office use. These are a preferred choice for developers, writers, and anyone who works long hours in front of the computer.

Actuation force: 45±20gf
Pre-travel: 2.0±0.6mm

Cherry MX Blue

Almost as popular as the Browns, MX Blue are everyone's favorite "clicky" switch. Easily recognizable by their signature audible clicking sound. Ideal for people who work from home, or have colleagues who appreciate old-school mechanical keyboards.

Actuation force: 50±15gf
Pre-travel: 2.0±0.6mm

Cherry MX Clear

A slightly heavier sibling to the Brown switch. The MX Clear has the same qualities of Brown with a bit more resistance, for those who want more pronounced tactile feedback.

Actuation force: 55±15gf
Pre-travel: 2.0±0.6mm

Cherry MX Red

Most popular among gamers for their relatively light weight, and lack of tactile feedback. A solid performer for high-speed keypresses.

Actuation force: 45±20gf
Pre-travel: 2.0±0.6mm

Cherry MX Silent Red

These really are silent. A very quiet keyswitch, it’s as close as you’re going to get to the acoustics of typing on a laptop. Ideal for typing during conference calls and next to coworkers. It’s so quiet, people around you might not even realize it’s a mechanical keyboard.

Actuation force: 45±15gf
Pre-travel: 2.0±0.6mm

Cherry MX Black

Think Cherry MX Red, but heavier. Linear, with no tactile or audible feedback.

Actuation force: 60±20gf
Pre-travel: 2.0±0.6mm

Cherry MX White

This is a heavier switch with a somewhat muted click. Not a crunchy click -- think about the sound the door of a luxury car makes when it closes. A thud which is backed by some real heft. For people who enjoy typing quite firmly.

Actuation force: 70±20gf
Pre-travel: 2.2±0.6mm

Cherry MX Speed Silver [SpeedSwitch]

The smoothest Cherry MX Switch there is. Like a Red but lighter and more responsive, springy enough to get that mechanical feedback that you know and love, light enough to type for hours.

Actuation force: 45±15gf
Pre-travel: 1.2±0.4mm

Kailh Brown

Oh so smooth. At 60gF, this rendition of the classic Brown switch takes a bit of pressing. Compared to Cherry MX Brown, its sound is pitched a little lower and more subdued, and its return action is less pronounced.

Actuation force: 60±10gf
Pre-travel: 2.0±0.6mm

Kailh Thick Gold [SpeedSwitch]

Popcorn in keyboard form. These are clicky in a way we’ve never experienced before: Clicks once on the downstroke, and clicks again on the upstroke. A high-pitched, crisp click. Light, precise, and utterly unique -- this keyswitch is addictive.

These switches actuate before the audible click. This means you can tap them very lightly and still get a character on your screen.

Actuation force: 50±10gf
Pre-travel: 1.1±0.3mm

Kailh Gold [SpeedSwitch]

An extremely fun keyswitch - we would almost say it’s exciting to type on. Its click is crisp and precise, and its actuation is smooth. Just typing on this switch would make you feel productive.

Like the Thick Gold switches, these actuate before the audible click. This means you can tap them very lightly and still get a character on your screen.

Actuation force: 60±10gf
Pre-travel: 1.4±0.3mm

Kailh Silver [SpeedSwitch]

This is an extremely smooth keyswitch. Light enough not to tire your fingers, and quiet, too. You can feel the linear resistance, but it’s not too much -- just springy enough so that you feel you’re actually pressing something. Ideal for soft typing in an office environment.

Actuation force: 40±10gf
Pre-travel: 1.1±0.3mm

Kailh Copper [SpeedSwitch]

Quite similar to the Kailh Silver, only these are tactile. So even though it’s specced the same in terms of actuation force, to our fingers these switches felt heavier than the Silver. Just as smooth and quiet as the Silver, but a little more muscular. Think “Brown lite”.

These switches actuate before the tactile bump. This means you can tap them very lightly and still get a character on your screen.

Actuation force: 40±10gf
Pre-travel: 1.1±0.3mm

Kailh Box Brown

As we've come to expect from a switch labeled Brown, the tactile bump is gentle. These feel solid, right between a loud clicky switch and a smooth linear. Actuated slowly, you'd feel an almost buckling effect as the switch reaches its tactile point.

Actuation force: 50±15gf
Pre-travel: 1.8±0.3mm

Kailh Box Red

These are very civil switches. Typing on them is a pleasant, gentle experience. The linear action is easy on the fingers, and the sound is a little muted. Like other Kailh switches, actuation is beautifully smooth and fluid.

Actuation force: 45±15gf
Pre-travel: 1.8±0.3mm

Kailh Box White

Slightly lower in pitch than the Kailh Gold, these are clicky to the point of being crunchy. Actuation is a smidge lighter, and it feels as though the box design might result in a slightly more resonant click.

Actuation force: 45±10gf
Pre-travel: 1.8±0.3mm

Kailh Box Black

Oh, such springy smoothness. We often think of Black switches as somewhat firm due to the high actuation force, but the buttery smooth action of the Box Black makes them feel lighter somehow. These switches still push back, but they don't feel tiresome.

Actuation force: 60±15gf
Pre-travel: 1.8±0.3mm

A summary

Finally, here's a quick table comparing all of our keyswitches:

Switch	Force	Pre-Travel	Feel	Notes
Cherry MX Brown	45±20gf	2.0±0.6mm	Tactile	Tactile and quiet. A preferred choice for developers, writers, and anyone who works long hours in front of the computer.
Cherry MX Blue	50±15gf	2.0±0.6mm	Clicky	Everyone's favorite "clicky" switch. Easily recognizable by their signature audible clicking sound.
Cherry MX Clear	55±15gf	2.0±0.6mm	Tactile	A slightly heavier sibling to the Brown switch. Same qualities of Brown with a bit more resistance, for those who want more pronounced tactile feedback.
Cherry MX Red	45±20gf	2.0±0.6mm	Linear	Most popular among gamers for their relatively light weight, and lack of tactile feedback. A solid performer for high-speed keypresses.
Cherry MX Silent Red	45±15gf	2.0±0.6mm	Linear	These really are silent. A very quiet keyswitch, it’s as close as you’re going to get to the acoustics of typing on a laptop.
Cherry MX Black	60±20gf	2.0±0.6mm	Linear	Think Cherry MX Red, but heavier. Linear, with no tactile or audible feedback.
Cherry MX White	70±20gf	2.2±0.6mm	Clicky	This is a heavier switch with a somewhat muted click. Not a crunchy click -- think about the sound the door of a luxury car makes when it closes. A thud which is backed by some real heft.
Cherry MX Speed Silver	45±15gf	1.2±0.4mm	Linear	The smoothest Cherry MX Switch there is. Like a Red but lighter and more responsive, springy enough to get that mechanical feedback that you know and love, light enough to type for hours.
Kailh Brown	60±10gf	2.0±0.6mm	Tactile	Compared to Cherry MX Brown, its sound is pitched a little lower and more subdued, and its return action is less pronounced.
Kailh Thick Gold	50±10gf	1.1±0.6mm	Clicky	Clicks once on the downstroke, and clicks again on the upstroke. A high-pitched, crisp click. Light, precise, and utterly unique - this keyswitch is addictive.
Kailh Gold	60±10gf	1.4±0.3mm	Clicky	Its click is crisp and precise, and its actuation is smooth.
Kailh Silver	40±10gf	1.1±0.3mm	Linear	This is an extremely smooth keyswitch. Light enough not to tire your fingers, and quiet, too. Ideal for soft typing in an office environment.
Kailh Copper	40±10gf	1.1±0.3mm	Tactile	Quite similar to the Kailh Silver, only these are tactile. Think “Brown lite”.
Kailh Box Brown	50±15gf	1.8±0.3mm	Tactile	As we've come to expect from a switch labeled Brown, the tactile bump is gentle. These feel solid, right between a loud clicky switch and a smooth linear.
Kailh Box Red	45±15gf	1.8±0.3mm	Linear	These are very civil switches. Typing on them is a pleasant, gentle experience. The linear action is easy on the fingers, and the sound is a little muted. Like other Kailh switches, actuation is beautifully smooth and fluid.
Kailh Box White	45±10gf	1.8±0.3mm	Clicky	Slightly lower in pitch than the Kailh Gold, these are clicky to the point of being crunchy. Actuation is a smidge lighter, and it feels as though the box design might result in a slightly more resonant click.
Kailh Box Black	60±15gf	1.8±0.3mm	Linear	Oh, such springy smoothness. We often think of Black switches as somewhat firm due to the high actuation force, but the buttery smooth action of the Box Black makes them feel lighter somehow. These switches still push back, but they don't feel tiresome.

Not sure what to choose?

Our default pick for each board is carefully considered. When in doubt, it's very safe to go with it. If you're new to mechanical keyboards or just not sure what to choose, these switches are a popular and safe choice you're bound to enjoy.

Also, you can always contact us.