List of keyboard switches

Last updated

Commonly used mechanical switches on pre-built keyboards

Manufacturers frequently build computer keyboards using switches from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The switches used determine the feel of the keyboard.

Contents

BrandOEMSwitch nameCherry MX equivalentSwitch TypeActuation forceTactile forceActuation pointTotal travelProduct codeDurability (actuations)
CherryCherryBlack [1] Cherry MX BlackLinear0.60 NN/A2.0 mm4.0 mmMX1A-11xx>100 million
CherryCherryRed [2] Cherry MX RedLinear0.45 NN/A2.0 mm4.0 mmMX1A-L1xx>100 million
CherryCherryBrown [3] Cherry MX BrownTactile0.45 N0.55 N2.0 mm4.0 mmMX1A-G1xx>100 million
CherryCherryBlue [4] Cherry MX BlueClicky0.50 N0.60 N2.2 mm4.0 mmMX1A-E1xx>50 million
CherryCherryGreen [5] Cherry MX GreenClicky0.70 N0.80 N2.2 mm4.0 mmMX1A-F1xx>50 million
CherryCherryClear [6] Cherry MX ClearTactile0.55 N0.65 N2.0 mm4.0 mmMX1A-C1xx
CherryCherryGrey (Tactile) [7] Cherry MX Tactile GreyTactile0.80 N0.80 N2.0 mm4.0 mmMX1A-D1xx>50 million
CherryCherryGrey (Linear) (formerly Dark grey)Cherry MX Linear GreyLinear0.80 NN/A2.0 mm4.0 mmMX1A-21xx
CherryCherryNature WhiteCherry MX Nature WhiteLinear0.55 NN/A2.0 mm4.0 mmMX1A-41NA
CherryCherrySpeed Silver [8] Cherry MX Speed SilverLinear0.45 NN/A1.2 mm3.4 mmMX1A-51xx
CherryCherryLow Profile Red [9] Cherry MX Low Profile RedLinear0.45 ± 0.15 NN/A1.2 ± 0.3 mm3.2 ± 0.25 mmMX1B-L2NA>50 million
CherryCherryLow Profile Speed [10] Cherry MX Low Profile SpeedLinear0.45 ± 0.15 NN/A1.0 ± 0.3 mm3.2 ± 0.25 mmMX1B-52NA>50 million
CherryCherrySilent Black [11] Cherry MX Silent BlackLinear0.60 NN/A1.9 mm3.7 mmMX3A-11xx
CherryCherrySilent Red [12] Cherry MX Silent RedLinear0.45 NN/A1.9 mm3.7 mmMX3A-L1xx
KailhKailhBlack [13] Cherry MX BlackLinear0.60 NN/A1.9 mm
KailhKailhRed [13] Cherry MX RedLinear0.50 NN/A1.9 mm
KailhKailhBlue [13] Cherry MX BlueClicky0.50 N0.60 N1.9 mm
KailhKailhBrown [13] Cherry MX BrownTactile0.50 NN/A1.9 mm
KailhKailhSpeed Silver [13] Cherry MX Speed SilverLinear0.50 NN/A1.3 mm
KailhKailhSpeed Bronze [13] N/AClicky0.50 NN/A1.3 mm
KailhKailhSpeed Copper [13] N/ATactile0.50 NN/A1.3 mm
Razer KailhGreen [14] Cherry MX BlueClicky0.50 N1.9 ± 0.4 mm80 million
RazerGreetechGreenCherry MX BlueClicky
RazerKailhOrange [14] Cherry MX BrownTactile0.45 cN1.9 ± 0.4 mm80 million
RazerGreetechOrangeCherry MX BrownTactile
RazerKailhYellow [14] Cherry MX Speed SilverLinear0.45 NN/A1.2 ± 0.3 mm3.5 mm
RazerGreetechYellowCherry MX Speed SilverLinearN/A
RazerDMET [15] Red (Optical Switch) [16] Cherry MX RedLinear0.40 NN/A1.0 mm100 million
RazerDMET [15] Purple (Optical Switch) [16] Cherry MX BlueClicky0.45 NN/A1.5 mm100 million
Logitech KailhGL Linear [17] Cherry MX Low Profile RedLinear0.50 NN/A1.5 mm2.7 mm80 million
LogitechKailhGL Tactile [17] N/ATactile0.50 N0.60 N1.5 mm2.7 mm80 million
LogitechKailhGL Clicky [17] N/AClicky0.50 N0.60 N1.5 mm2.7 mm80 million
LogitechOmronRomer-G Linear [17] N/ALinear0.45 NN/A1.5 mm3.2 mm70 million [18]
LogitechOmronRomer-G Tactile [17] N/ATactile0.45 N0.50 N1.5 mm3.2 mm70 million [18]
LogitechKailhGX Red [17] Cherry MX RedLinear0.50 NN/A1.9 mm4.0 mm
LogitechKailhGX Blue [17] Cherry MX BlueClicky0.50 N0.60 N2.0 mm4.0 mm70 million
LogitechKailhGX Brown [17] Cherry MX BrownTactile0.50 N0.60 N1.9 mm4.0 mm70 million
RoccatRoccatRoccat Titan Linear [19] Cherry MX RedLinearN/A1.4 mm3.6 mm
RoccatRoccatRoccat Titan Tactile [19] Cherry MX BrownTactile1.8 mm3.6 mm
OutemuGaote/OutemuReds [20] Cherry MX RedsLinear0.50 NN/A1.5 mm4.0 mm50 million
OutemuGaote/OutemuBrowns [20] Cherry MX BrownsTactile0.50 N0.55 N2.0 mm4.0 mm50 million
OutemuGaote/OutemuBlues [20] Cherry MX BluesClicky0.60 N0.65 N2.0 mm4.0 mm50 million
OutemuGaote/OutemuBlack [20] Cherry MX BlacksLinear0.70 NN/A2.4 mm4.0 mm50 million
GateronGateronReds [21] Cherry MX RedsLinear0.45 NN/A2.0 mm4.0 mm50 million
GateronGateronBrowns [21] Cherry MX BrownsTactile0.55 N0.60 N2.0 mm4.0 mm50 million
GateronGateronBlacks [21] Cherry MX BlacksLinear0.65 NN/A2.0 mm4.0 mm50 million
GateronGateronWhite [21] -Linear0.35 NN/A2.0 mm4.0 mm50 million
GateronGateronGreen [21] -Clicky0.80 N0.80 N2.3 mm4.0 mm50 million
GateronGateronBlues [21] Cherry MX BluesClicky0.60 N0.65 N2.3 mm4.0 mm50 million
GateronGateronYellows [21] -Linear0.50 NN/A2.0 mm4.0 mm50 million
I.B.M./UnicompI.B.M./UnicompBuckling SpringN/AClicky>25 million (Model M)

>100 million (Model F)

Mechanical keyboard switches for custom keyboards

On the custom mechanical keyboard space, there are far greater quantity of keyboard switches. It is important to note that these do not portray the diversity and number of switches currently on the market.

BrandOEMSwitch nameStem designSwitch typeClick typeInitial forceActuation forceSpring forceActuation pointTotal travelMounting typeFactory lubeSMD LED compatibilityKey stroke lifespan
Drop x InvyrKailhHoly Panda [22] MX Type stemTactileN/A67 g67 g67 g1.2 mm4.0 mmPlate mountingNoYes80 million
DropKailhHalo True [23] MX Type stemTactileN/A60 g54 g100 g1.9 mm4.0 mmPlate mountingYesYes80 million
DropKailhHalo Clear [23] MX Type stemTactileN/A65 g52 g78 g1.9 mm4.0 mmPlate mountingYesYes80 million
KailhKailhBox WhiteMX Type stemClickyClick Bar50 g50 g60 g1.8 mm4.0 mmPlate mountingNoYes80 million
KailhKailhBOX Glazed GreenMX Type stemClickyClick Bar50 g50 g50 g1.8 mm3.6 mmPlate MountingNoYes80 million
KailhKailhBOX JadeMX Type stemClickyClick Bar50 g50 g60 g1.8 mm3.6 mmPlate MountingNoYes80 million
KailhKailhBOX Pale BlueMX Type stemClickyClick Bar60 g60 g80 g1.8 mm3.6 mmPlate MountingNoYes80 million
KailhKailhBOX NavyMX Type stemClickyClick Bar60 g60 g90 g1.8 mm3.6 mmPlate MountingNoYes80 million
KailhKailhBOX Noble YellowMX Type stemClickyClick Bar65 g65 g65 g1.8 mm3.6 mmPlate MountingNoYes80 million
KailhKailhBOX PinksMX Type stemClickyClick Bar65 g65 g65 g1.8 mm3.6 mmPlate MountingNoYes80 million
GateronGateronAliaz SilentMX Type StemSilent TactileN/AN/AN/A60/70/

80/100g

2.0 mm4.0 mmPlate MountingNoYesN/A
Zeal PCGateronClickiezMX Type StemClicky/Tactile/LinearClick Leaf40/75 g32/58 g73/95 g2.0 mm (unchecked)4.0 mmPlate MountingNoYesN/A
Zeal PCGateronCrystalMX Type StemTactileN/A~50g~70g60 g2.0 mm4.0 mmPlate MountingNoYesN/A
Zeal PCGateronZealio V1 ReduxMX Type StemTactileN/A??62g/67g2.0 mm4.0 mmPlate MountingNoYesN/A

Future

As time goes on, there are more and more switches being developed and manufactured across the world. Some are by new manufacturers, some are collaborations between companies and manufacturers, and some are consumer made. Some bigger databases that involve more than just our main manufacturers listed here.

On top of a variety of new switches being made, consumers are taking parts of different switches and then going on to make their own switches, called “Franken-switches.”

Related Research Articles

References

  1. "Cherry MX black",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-black.html Archived 2020-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Cherry MX red",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-red.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Cherry MX brown",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-brown.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Cherry MX blue",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-blue.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Cherry MX green",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-green.html Archived 2020-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Cherry MX clear",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-clear.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Cherry MX grey",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-grey.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Cherry MX speed silver", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-speed-silver.html Archived 2020-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Cherry MX Low Profile Speed", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-low-profile/mx-low-profile-red.html Archived 2020-06-15 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Cherry MX Low Profile Speed", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-low-profile/mx-low-profile-speed.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  11. "Cherry MX silent black", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-silent-black.html Archived 2020-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Cherry MX silent red", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-silent-red.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kitguru Guide to Mechanical Keyboard Switches", https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/keyboards/matthew-wilson/the-kitguru-guide-to-mechanical-keyboard-switches/ Archived 2020-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
  14. 1 2 3 "Tom's Hardware Review", https://www.tomshardware.com/news/razer-yellow-mechanical-keyboard-switch,33476.html Archived 2023-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
  15. 1 2 "Dongguan Mingjian Electronic Technology products page". dgmjdz (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  16. 1 2 Razor, https://www.razer.com/razer-optical-switch Archived 2020-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Logitech, https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/innovation/mechanical-switches.html Archived 2020-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
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  19. 1 2 "Roccat's Titan Switch", https://en.roccat.org/Labs/Titan-Switchl
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  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "For Gateron". keychronkeyboards. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  22. "Drop: Passions lead here". Drop. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
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