Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

This page is a guide of computer keyboard key switch mechanisms.

Rubber Dome Switch

Most common, and cheap to make. bad tactile quality.

Scissor Switch

Most common on laptop keyboards. Quality vary.

Cherry MX Switches (1983)

Cherry MX is the classic most popular mechanical switch from about 1980s to 2010. (after that, many Chinese clones and variations became popular too.)

Switch Tester, Illustrating Cherry MX Switches

Max Keyboard Premium PCB mount Cherry MX Switch, O-Ring and Keycap Sampler Kit

Key Switch Tester

Cherry MX Compatible Switches

Many Chinese companies make Cherry compatible switches. They became popular since 2015.

Cherry MX compatible switches are NOT EXACTLY the same as those from Cherry the company. For example, Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Silent Red, Kailh Red, all says 45g activation force by spec, but Cherry MX Silent Red is heavier, and Kailh Red is even more heavy, like 50g. This difference is very noticeable, and is critical for writers or people with Repetitive Strain Injury. [see Key Switch Activation Force vs Resistance Feel]

Kailh Choc Switch (~2016)

Choc Switch is a low-profile mechanical switch, from Kaihua.

Logitech GX Blue Clicky (2018)

Logitech GX Blue Clicky came out in 2018. It is made by Kaihua. It is just a variation of the Cherry MX Blue. The stem is Cherry MX compatible, so you can buy keycaps. [see Cute Keycaps]

Romer-G Switch (2015)

Roccat Titan Switch (~2018)

Roccat Titan Switch

Optical Key Switch

Topre Switch

Topre switch is contactless electro capacitive switch. It is most famous via the Happy Hacking Keyboard

Niz Switch

Niz switch is inspired by Topre.

Varmilo EC Switch

Varmilo EC Switch is like a Cherry MX, but with contactless electro capacitive mechanism for eletric switch.

Buckling Spring Switch

Buckling spring switch is most famous as used by IBM Model M keyboard (1985) from 1980s and 1990s, and is loved by many keyboard nerds. It has a crisp tactile feel, but makes the loudest key noise.

ALPS Switch

Hall Effect Switch

Hall Effect Switch Keyboards

What Does โ€œMechanicalโ€ Keyboard Means

Computer keyboard key switch expert Thomas Ran (aka Chyrosran22) tells us

When is a keyboard โ€œmechanicalโ€? by Chyrosran22 Published on Dec 19, 2018

Demo of Different Force-Displacement Curves for Key Press

One Button to Rule Them All: Rendering Arbitrary Force-Displacement Curves
Oct 9, 2018
User Interfaces Group, Aalto University

Key Switch Topic