There’s the tiny bump, but with a small audible “click.” These are generally louder. Clicky: These are a sub-type of tactile switches.This “tactile feedback” helps your fingers feel when the key has actually been registered. Tactile: These switches provide a tiny “bump” when you press them (generally around the actuation point).There’s no tactile or auditory feedback when you press them, and they require the least amount of force to actuate. Pressing them is a straight, smooth path from the top to the bottom. The 3 General Types of Keyboard SwitchesĪll switches fall under 3 broad categories: Cherry MX Browns and Gateron Browns are both MX-style switches. “MX style” switches: “Cherry” is a name brand of switches, but “MX” just refers to the most popular type of switch popularized by Cherry (these are generally considered the gold standard).Lifespan: This is how many millions of keystrokes a switch can withstand before it fails.It’s usually measured in millimeters as well. Travel Distance (yes, it’s different): This is the total distance a key has to travel before it’s fully depressed.Actuation Distance: This is how far down the switch you need to press it before it activates.It’s usually referred to in terms of grams. Actuation Force: This is how much force is needed to activate a switch.Actuation Type: This is whether a switch is linear (1), tactile (2), or clicky (3).You’ll probably encounter some of the following words when buying switches, and it’s important to know what they mean! The stem touches these (when pressed down), and that creates the electrical signal that tells your computer which key was pressed! The bottom housing has metal contacts on the inside (called “leaves”). Lower housing: The bottom half of the switch “shell” or “box.”.Spring: This is what provides the resistance when you press a key down, and also gives it that “bouncing” feeling.Or a flathead screwdriver, but that’s harder). It has a hole in the center for the stem to fit into (the upper and bottom housings snap together, and you need a “switch opener” tool to take them apart. Upper housing: This is the part of the switch that contains the spring and rests on top of the lower housing.The stem is generally colored to match the switch color. Switch stem: This is the part of the switch that extends down into the switch and moves up and down when you press the keycap (it’s connected to the underside of the keycap).
They’re usually made from ABS or PBT plastic, and come in tons of different colors & styles! (and shapes and profiles)
Anatomy of the Parts of a Mechanical Keyboard Switch: I’ve spent too much time (and money) playing around with keyboard switches, so I’m going to break down the different types of switches and colors for you. Mechanical keyboards are becoming hugely popular for gamers and typists alike…īut there are a TON of color switches to choose from–and which one you choose will make a HUGE difference in the way your mechanical keyboard looks, feels, and sounds!
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