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
^ "Cherry MX black",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-black.html Archived 2020-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Cherry MX red",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-red.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Cherry MX brown",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-brown.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Cherry MX blue",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-blue.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Cherry MX green",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-green.html Archived 2020-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Cherry MX clear",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-clear.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Cherry MX grey",https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-special/mx-grey.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Cherry MX speed silver", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-speed-silver.html Archived 2020-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
^ "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
^ "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
^ "Cherry MX silent black", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-silent-black.html Archived 2020-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Cherry MX silent red", https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx-silent-red.html Archived 2020-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
^ 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
^ 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
^ a b "Dongguan Mingjian Electronic Technology products page" . dgmjdz (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2022 .
^ a b Razor, https://www.razer.com/razer-optical-switch Archived 2020-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
^ 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
^ 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
^ a b "Roccat's Titan Switch", https://en.roccat.org/Labs/Titan-Switchl
^ 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 .
^ a b c d e f g "For Gateron" . keychronkeyboards . Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021 .
^ "Drop: Passions lead here" . Drop . Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-03-19 .
^ a b "Drop: Passions lead here" . Drop . Archived from the original on 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2021-03-19 .