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.

Brand OEM Switch name Cherry MX equivalent Switch Type Actuation force Tactile force Actuation point Total travel Product code Durability (actuations)
Cherry Cherry Black[1] Cherry MX Black Linear 0.60 N N/A 2.0 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-11xx >100 million
Cherry Cherry Red[2] Cherry MX Red Linear 0.45 N N/A 2.0 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-L1xx >100 million
Cherry Cherry Brown[3] Cherry MX Brown Tactile 0.45 N 0.55 N 2.0 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-G1xx >100 million
Cherry Cherry Blue[4] Cherry MX Blue Clicky 0.50 N 0.60 N 2.2 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-E1xx >50 million
Cherry Cherry Green[5] Cherry MX Green Clicky 0.70 N 0.80 N 2.2 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-F1xx >50 million
Cherry Cherry Clear[6] Cherry MX Clear Tactile 0.55 N 0.65 N 2.0 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-C1xx
Cherry Cherry Grey (Tactile)[7] Cherry MX Tactile Grey Tactile 0.80 N 0.80 N 2.0 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-D1xx >50 million
Cherry Cherry Grey (Linear) (formerly Dark grey) Cherry MX Linear Grey Linear 0.80 N N/A 2.0 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-21xx
Cherry Cherry Nature White Cherry MX Nature White Linear 0.55 N N/A 2.0 mm 4.0 mm MX1A-41NA
Cherry Cherry Speed Silver[8] Cherry MX Speed Silver Linear 0.45 N N/A 1.2 mm 3.4 mm MX1A-51xx
Cherry Cherry Low Profile Red[9] Cherry MX Low Profile Red Linear 0.45 ± 0.15 N N/A 1.2 ± 0.3 mm 3.2 ± 0.25 mm MX1B-L2NA >50 million
Cherry Cherry Low Profile Speed[10] Cherry MX Low Profile Speed Linear 0.45 ± 0.15 N N/A 1.0 ± 0.3 mm 3.2 ± 0.25 mm MX1B-52NA >50 million
Cherry Cherry Silent Black[11] Cherry MX Silent Black Linear 0.60 N N/A 1.9 mm 3.7 mm MX3A-11xx
Cherry Cherry Silent Red[12] Cherry MX Silent Red Linear 0.45 N N/A 1.9 mm 3.7 mm MX3A-L1xx
Kailh Kailh Black[13] Cherry MX Black Linear 0.60 N N/A 1.9 mm
Kailh Kailh Red[13] Cherry MX Red Linear 0.50 N N/A 1.9 mm
Kailh Kailh Blue[13] Cherry MX Blue Clicky 0.50 N 0.60 N 1.9 mm
Kailh Kailh Brown[13] Cherry MX Brown Tactile 0.50 N N/A 1.9 mm
Kailh Kailh Speed Silver[13] Cherry MX Speed Silver Linear 0.50 N N/A 1.3 mm
Kailh Kailh Speed Bronze[13] N/A Clicky 0.50 N N/A 1.3 mm
Kailh Kailh Speed Copper[13] N/A Tactile 0.50 N N/A 1.3 mm
Razer Kailh Green[14] Cherry MX Blue Clicky 0.50 N 1.9 ± 0.4 mm 80 million
Razer Greetech Green Cherry MX Blue Clicky
Razer Kailh Orange[14] Cherry MX Brown Tactile 0.45 cN 1.9 ± 0.4 mm 80 million
Razer Greetech Orange Cherry MX Brown Tactile
Razer Kailh Yellow[14] Cherry MX Speed Silver Linear 0.45 N N/A 1.2 ± 0.3 mm 3.5 mm
Razer Greetech Yellow Cherry MX Speed Silver Linear N/A
Razer DMET[15] Red (Optical Switch)[16] Cherry MX Red Linear 0.40 N N/A 1.0 mm 100 million
Razer DMET[15] Purple (Optical Switch)[16] Cherry MX Blue Clicky 0.45 N N/A 1.5 mm 100 million
Logitech Kailh GL Linear[17] Cherry MX Low Profile Red Linear 0.50 N N/A 1.5 mm 2.7 mm 80 million
Logitech Kailh GL Tactile[17] N/A Tactile 0.50 N 0.60 N 1.5 mm 2.7 mm 80 million
Logitech Kailh GL Clicky[17] N/A Clicky 0.50 N 0.60 N 1.5 mm 2.7 mm 80 million
Logitech Omron Romer-G Linear[17] N/A Linear 0.45 N N/A 1.5 mm 3.2 mm 70 million[18]
Logitech Omron Romer-G Tactile[17] N/A Tactile 0.45 N 0.50 N 1.5 mm 3.2 mm 70 million[18]
Logitech Kailh GX Red[17] Cherry MX Red Linear 0.50 N N/A 1.9 mm 4.0 mm
Logitech Kailh GX Blue[17] Cherry MX Blue Clicky 0.50 N 0.60 N 2.0 mm 4.0 mm 70 million
Logitech Kailh GX Brown[17] Cherry MX Brown Tactile 0.50 N 0.60 N 1.9 mm 4.0 mm 70 million
Roccat Roccat Roccat Titan Linear[19] Cherry MX Red Linear N/A 1.4 mm 3.6 mm
Roccat Roccat Roccat Titan Tactile[19] Cherry MX Brown Tactile 1.8 mm 3.6 mm
Outemu Gaote/Outemu Reds[20] Cherry MX Reds Linear 0.50 N N/A 1.5 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Outemu Gaote/Outemu Browns[20] Cherry MX Browns Tactile 0.50 N 0.55 N 2.0 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Outemu Gaote/Outemu Blues[20] Cherry MX Blues Clicky 0.60 N 0.65 N 2.0 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Outemu Gaote/Outemu Black [20] Cherry MX Blacks Linear 0.70 N N/A 2.4 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Gateron Gateron Reds [21] Cherry MX Reds Linear 0.45 N N/A 2.0 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Gateron Gateron Browns[21] Cherry MX Browns Tactile 0.55 N 0.60 N 2.0 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Gateron Gateron Blacks[21] Cherry MX Blacks Linear 0.65 N N/A 2.0 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Gateron Gateron White [21] - Linear 0.35 N N/A 2.0 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Gateron Gateron Green [21] - Clicky 0.80 N 0.80 N 2.3 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Gateron Gateron Blues[21] Cherry MX Blues Clicky 0.60 N 0.65 N 2.3 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
Gateron Gateron Yellows[21] - Linear 0.50 N N/A 2.0 mm 4.0 mm 50 million
I.B.M./Unicomp I.B.M./Unicomp Buckling Spring N/A Clicky >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.

Brand OEM Switch name Stem design Switch type Click type Initial force Actuation force Spring force Actuation point Total travel Mounting type Factory lube SMD LED compatibility Key stroke lifespan
Drop x Invyr Kailh Holy Panda[22] MX Type stem Tactile N/A 67 g 67 g 67 g 1.2 mm 4.0 mm Plate mounting No Yes 80 million
Drop Kailh Halo True[23] MX Type stem Tactile N/A 60 g 54 g 100 g 1.9 mm 4.0 mm Plate mounting Yes Yes 80 million
Drop Kailh Halo Clear[23] MX Type stem Tactile N/A 65 g 52 g 78 g 1.9 mm 4.0 mm Plate mounting Yes Yes 80 million
Kailh Kailh Box White MX Type stem Clicky Click Bar 50 g 50 g 60 g 1.8 mm 4.0 mm Plate mounting No Yes 80 million
Kailh Kailh BOX Glazed Green MX Type stem Clicky Click Bar 50 g 50 g 50 g 1.8 mm 3.6 mm Plate Mounting No Yes 80 million
Kailh Kailh BOX Jade MX Type stem Clicky Click Bar 50 g 50 g 60 g 1.8 mm 3.6 mm Plate Mounting No Yes 80 million
Kailh Kailh BOX Pale Blue MX Type stem Clicky Click Bar 60 g 60 g 80 g 1.8 mm 3.6 mm Plate Mounting No Yes 80 million
Kailh Kailh BOX Navy MX Type stem Clicky Click Bar 60 g 60 g 90 g 1.8 mm 3.6 mm Plate Mounting No Yes 80 million
Kailh Kailh BOX Noble Yellow MX Type stem Clicky Click Bar 65 g 65 g 65 g 1.8 mm 3.6 mm Plate Mounting No Yes 80 million
Kailh Kailh BOX Pinks MX Type stem Clicky Click Bar 65 g 65 g 65 g 1.8 mm 3.6 mm Plate Mounting No Yes 80 million
Gateron Gateron Aliaz Silent MX Type Stem Silent Tactile N/A N/A N/A 60/70/

80/100g

2.0 mm 4.0 mm Plate Mounting No Yes N/A
Zeal PC Gateron Clickiez MX Type Stem Clicky/Tactile/Linear Click Leaf 40/75 g 32/58 g 73/95 g 2.0 mm (unchecked) 4.0 mm Plate Mounting No Yes N/A
Zeal PC Gateron Crystal MX Type Stem Tactile N/A ~50g ~70g 60 g 2.0 mm 4.0 mm Plate Mounting No Yes N/A
Zeal PC Gateron Zealio V1 Redux MX Type Stem Tactile N/A ? ? 62g/67g 2.0 mm 4.0 mm Plate Mounting No Yes N/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 [1] 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.”[2]

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. ^ a b c d e f g "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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b "Dongguan Mingjian Electronic Technology products page". dgmjdz (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  16. ^ a b Razor, https://www.razer.com/razer-optical-switch Archived 2020-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h Logitech, https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/innovation/mechanical-switches.html Archived 2020-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ a b "Tom's Hardware Orion Review", https://www.tomshardware.com/news/logitech-g910-orion-spark-romer-g,28101.html Archived 2023-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ a b "Roccat's Titan Switch", https://en.roccat.org/Labs/Titan-Switchl
  20. ^ a b c d "information regarding the mechanical switches from a reseller". Mechanicalkeyboards. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g "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.
  23. ^ a b "Drop: Passions lead here". Drop. Archived from the original on 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
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