Keyboard Switches Explained: Clicky, Tactile, or Linear?

If you’ve ever wondered why some keyboards feel like typing on clouds while others feel like pressing buttons on a spaceship console, the answer lies in one critical component: the switch. Mechanical keyboard switches are the heart of your typing experience, determining everything from how your keys feel and sound to how fast you can game or how comfortable your 8-hour workday becomes.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about keyboard switches, from understanding the basic types to choosing the perfect switch for your needs.

What Are Mechanical Keyboard Switches?

Mechanical keyboard switches are individual key mechanisms that register each keystroke using physical components. Each switch sits under a keycap and uses a spring, stem, and metal contacts to send an input signal when pressed.

Unlike membrane or rubber-dome keyboards, mechanical switches activate at a precise actuation point, meaning the key registers before it is fully pressed. This design delivers better accuracy, tactile feedback, and durability.

Key advantages of mechanical switches:

• Precise actuation point (you know exactly when a key registers)
• Durability (50-100 million keystrokes vs 5 million for membrane)
• Customizable feel and sound
• Consistent performance that doesn’t degrade over time
• Individual key replacement capability

The Three Main Switch Types

Every mechanical switch falls into one of three categories based on how it feels when you press it. Understanding these categories is the foundation of choosing your ideal switch.

Linear Switches

Linear switches provide a smooth, consistent keystroke from top to bottom with no tactile bump or click. Pressing a linear switch feels like sliding a smooth slider up and down with no interruptions.

Characteristics:

• Completely smooth travel with no bump
• Quiet operation (except for bottoming out sound)
• Consistent resistance throughout the keystroke
• Fast actuation with no resistance changes

Best for: Gamers who want rapid-fire keypresses, people who prefer smooth typing, and anyone who doesn’t want tactile feedback.

Popular linear switches: Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Black, Gateron Yellow, Cherry MX Speed Silver, NK Cream

Tactile Switches

Tactile switches feature a noticeable bump at the actuation point, giving you physical feedback that your keystroke has registered without making an audible click sound. This bump tells your fingers, “the key has been pressed” without disturbing others around you.

Characteristics:

• Distinct bump at actuation point
• Moderate sound (quieter than clicky, louder than linear)
• Physical feedback without audio feedback
• Slightly slower actuation than linear due to bump

Best for: Typists who want feedback, office environments, programmers, all-around versatile use, and people transitioning from membrane keyboards.

Popular tactile switches: Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Clear, Zealios, Holy Panda, Glorious Panda, Boba U4T

Clicky Switches

Clicky switches combine a tactile bump with an audible click sound, providing maximum feedback both physically and aurally. These are the switches that give mechanical keyboards their iconic “clickity-clack” reputation.

Characteristics:

• Tactile bump at actuation
• Loud, distinctive click sound
• Maximum feedback (tactile + audio)
• Most satisfying typing experience for click lovers

Best for: Typists who love audible feedback, home office use, people who aren’t concerned about noise, and anyone who wants the classic mechanical keyboard experience.

Popular clicky switches: Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Green, Kailh Box White, Kailh Box Jade, Outemu Blue

Mechanical Switch Color Guide

Switch manufacturers use different colors to indicate different switch characteristics. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the most common switches by color.

Cherry MX Switches (The Industry Standard)

Color	Type	Actuation Force	Actuation Distance	Sound Level	Best For
Red	Linear	45g	2.0mm	Quiet	Gaming, light typing
Black	Linear	60g	2.0mm	Quiet	Heavy-handed typists, gaming
Brown	Tactile	45g	2.0mm	Moderate	All-purpose, office work
Clear	Tactile	65g	2.0mm	Moderate	Heavy tactile preference
Blue	Clicky	50g	2.2mm	Loud	Typing enthusiasts
Green	Clicky	80g	2.2mm	Very Loud	Heavy clicky typing
Speed Silver	Linear	45g	1.2mm	Quiet	Competitive gaming
Silent Red	Linear	45g	1.9mm	Very Quiet	Quiet gaming/typing
Silent Black	Linear	60g	1.9mm	Very Quiet	Quiet heavy typing

Gateron Switches (Smooth & Affordable)

Gateron switches are known for being smoother than Cherry MX switches at a lower price point.

Color	Type	Actuation Force	Feel	vs Cherry MX
Red	Linear	45g	Very smooth	Smoother than MX Red
Yellow	Linear	50g	Smooth, popular	No Cherry equivalent
Black	Linear	60g	Smooth, heavy	Similar to MX Black
Brown	Tactile	55g	Subtle bump	Less tactile than MX Brown
Blue	Clicky	60g	Clicky	Similar to MX Blue

Kailh Switches (Innovative Designs)

Kailh offers unique switch designs including their popular Box series with dust and water resistance.

Switch Name	Type	Actuation Force	Special Feature
Box Red	Linear	50g	Dust/water resistant
Box Brown	Tactile	50g	Dust/water resistant
Box White	Clicky	50g	Crisp click, bar click mechanism
Box Jade	Clicky	60g	Thick click, heavy tactile
Speed Silver	Linear	40g	1.1mm actuation for gaming
Speed Copper	Tactile	40g	Fast tactile for gaming

Premium Enthusiast Switches

Switch Name	Type	Actuation Force	Notable Features
Zealios V2	Tactile	62g/65g/67g/78g	Sharp, pronounced tactile bump
Tealios V2	Linear	67g	Ultra-smooth premium linear
Holy Panda	Tactile	67g	Legendary tactile bump, cult following
Glorious Panda	Tactile	67g	Holy Panda alternative, more accessible
NK Cream	Linear	55g	Self-lubricating POM housing
Boba U4T	Tactile	62g	Deep “thock” sound, strong tactility
Alpaca	Linear	62g	Smooth linear, JWK-manufactured

Best Switches by Use Case

Choosing the right switch depends heavily on what you’ll be using your keyboard for. Here are the top recommendations for each scenario.

Best Switches for Gaming

Winner: Cherry MX Speed Silver / Kailh Speed Silver

• Ultra-fast 1.2mm actuation point
• Linear for smooth rapid presses
• Light 45g actuation force reduces finger fatigue

Runner-up: Cherry MX Red / Gateron Red

• Standard 2.0mm actuation, still very fast
• Slightly more controlled than Speed switches
• Better for gaming + typing hybrid use

Budget Option: Outemu Red

• Similar feel to Cherry MX Red
• Significantly cheaper
• Good enough for most gamers

Best Switches for Typing

Winner: Holy Panda / Glorious Panda

• Extremely satisfying tactile bump
• “Thocky” sound profile
• Premium typing experience

Runner-up: Cherry MX Brown / Gateron Brown

• Gentle tactile bump, not fatiguing
• Quiet enough for office use
• Great all-around performer

Budget Option: Outemu Brown

• Similar to Cherry MX Brown
• More affordable
• Decent tactility for the price

Best Switches for Programming

Winner: Cherry MX Clear / Zealios 65g

• Strong tactile bump reduces typos
• Heavier spring prevents accidental presses
• Precise actuation for accurate coding

Runner-up: Cherry MX Brown

• Lighter tactile for long coding sessions
• Less finger fatigue during marathon sessions
• Versatile for coding and writing

Best Quiet Switches for Office

Winner: Cherry MX Silent Red / Silent Black

• Dampened sound on actuation and bottom-out
• Smooth linear feel
• Won’t disturb coworkers

Runner-up: Boba U4 Silent Tactile

• Silent tactile option
• Strong bump without the noise
• Best of both worlds for office typists

Budget Option: Gateron Silent Red

• Similar to Cherry MX Silent Red
• More affordable
• Good quiet performance

Best Budget Switches

Winner: Gateron Yellow

• Incredibly smooth for the price
• 50g actuation is versatile
• Often preferred over Cherry MX switches

Runner-up: Outemu switches (any color)

• Most affordable option
• Adequate performance for beginners
• Good for testing if you like mechanical keyboards

Best Premium Switches

Winner: Zealios V2 / Tealios V2

• Factory-lubed for smoothness
• Multiple weight options
• Top-tier build quality and consistency

Runner-up: C³ Equalz X TKC Tangerine

• Ultra-smooth UHMWPE housing
• Unique feel
• Highly regarded in enthusiast community

Understanding Switch Specifications

When comparing switches, you’ll encounter several key specifications. Here’s what they mean and why they matter.

Actuation Force

Measured in grams (g) or centinewtons (cN), actuation force is how much pressure you need to apply for the switch to register a keystroke.

• Light (40-50g): Easy to press, less finger fatigue, faster actuation, but more accidental presses
• Medium (50-60g): Balanced feel, most versatile, good for most users
• Heavy (60-80g+): Requires deliberate presses, reduces typos, can cause fatigue during long sessions

Actuation Point

The distance the key must travel before it registers a keystroke, measured in millimeters (mm).

• Short (1.0-1.5mm): Ultra-fast response, preferred by competitive gamers
• Standard (2.0mm): Balanced, most common, good for all uses
• Long (2.2mm+): More deliberate actuation, found in some clicky switches

Total Travel Distance

The maximum distance a key can travel from rest to fully pressed (bottoming out), typically 3.5-4.0mm for most mechanical switches.

Shorter travel distance means faster actuation but less cushioning. Longer travel provides more key travel feedback.

Pre-travel vs Post-travel

• Pre-travel: Distance from rest to actuation point
• Post-travel: Distance from actuation point to bottom-out

Some typists prefer minimal post-travel to reduce unnecessary key movement, while others like the extra cushioning.

How to Choose Your Perfect Switch

Still not sure which switch is right for you? Follow this decision-making process:

Step 1: Determine Your Primary Use

• Gaming: Start with linear switches (Red, Speed Silver)
• Typing: Start with tactile switches (Brown, Clear, Zealios)
• Both: Tactile switches or light linear switches
• Quiet environment needed: Silent switches (Silent Red, Boba U4)

Step 2: Consider Sound Preferences

• Want maximum feedback: Clicky switches (Blue, Green, Box White)
• Want some feedback, less noise: Tactile switches (Brown, Panda)
• Want minimal noise: Linear or silent switches (Red, Silent Red)
• Don’t care about noise: Any switch type works

Step 3: Assess Your Typing Style

• Heavy-handed typer: Heavier switches (60g+) like Black, Clear, Green
• Light touch: Lighter switches (45-50g) like Red, Brown, Speed Silver
• Not sure: Start with medium weight (50-55g)

Step 4: Set Your Budget

• Budget ($): Outemu or Gateron switches
• Mid-range ($$): Cherry MX or Kailh switches
• Premium ($$$): Zealios, Holy Pandas, NK Creams

Step 5: Get a Switch Tester

The best way to know which switch you’ll love is to try them yourself. Switch testers are small boards with 4-12 different switches that let you test before committing to a full keyboard.

Recommended switch testers:

• GMMK Switch Tester (12 switches)
• Cherry MX Switch Tester (4 switches)
• Glorious PC Gaming Race Switch Tester (7 switches)
• Full custom switch testers from NovelKeys or KBDfans

Testing switches in person is invaluable because descriptions can only go so far. What feels “scratchy” to one person might feel “textured” to another.

Hot-Swappable vs Soldered Keyboards

When choosing a mechanical keyboard, one crucial decision is whether to get hot-swappable sockets or soldered switches.

Hot-Swappable Keyboards

Hot-swap keyboards use special sockets that let you pull out and replace switches without soldering.

Advantages:

• Change switches anytime without tools (except a switch puller)
• Try different switches easily
• Replace broken switches instantly
• Customize individual keys with different switches

Disadvantages:

• Slightly less stable connection (though negligible for most users)
• Sockets can wear out after hundreds of swaps
• Slightly more expensive than soldered boards

Best for: Beginners, enthusiasts who like to experiment, anyone unsure about switch preference

Soldered Keyboards

Traditional mechanical keyboards have switches permanently soldered to the PCB.

Advantages:

• Maximum connection stability
• Often less expensive
• More durable long-term connection
• No socket failure risk

Disadvantages:

• Changing switches requires desoldering (advanced skill)
• You’re locked into your switch choice
• Harder to repair if switches fail

Best for: Users confident in their switch choice, those seeking maximum value, experienced builders

Advanced Switch Modifications

Once you’re comfortable with mechanical keyboards, you can modify switches to improve their feel and sound.

Lubing Switches

Applying lubricant to switch components reduces friction and eliminates scratchiness.

Benefits:

• Smoother keystrokes
• Reduced spring ping sound
• More consistent feel across all switches
• Deeper, more pleasant sound profile

Drawbacks:

• Time-consuming (5+ hours for full keyboard)
• Requires disassembly of every switch
• Can ruin switches if over-lubed

Recommended lubes: Krytox 205g0 (linear/tactile), Krytox 105 (springs), Tribosys 3204 (tactile)

Filming Switches

Switch films are thin plastic sheets inserted between switch housings to reduce wobble.

Benefits:

• Reduces housing wobble
• Tighter, more consistent sound
• Minimal effort compared to lubing

Best for: Switches with loose tolerances, improving stock switch sound

Spring Swapping

Replacing the stock spring with a different weight or type.

Benefits:

• Customize actuation force precisely
• Try progressive or slow springs for different feel
• Fix spring ping issues

Popular options: TX Springs, SPRiT Springs, Durock Springs

Franken switches

Mixing components from different switches to create custom combinations.

Popular combinations:

• Holy Panda (Halo stem + Invyr Panda housing)
• Creamsicle (Cream stem + Tangerine housing)
• Boba Pandas (Boba housing + Halo/Panda stem)

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the different keyboard switches mean? ▼ Different keyboard switches describe how a key feels and sounds when pressed. The main differences include actuation force, feedback type (linear, tactile, or clicky), and noise level, which affect typing comfort and performance.
What is R1, R2, R3, R4 in a keyboard? ▼ R1, R2, R3, and R4 refer to keyboard row profiles. They indicate the height and angle of keycaps from the top row (R1) to the bottom row (R4), helping create a comfortable and ergonomic typing experience.
What are the 4 types of keyboard switches? ▼ The four main types of keyboard switches are linear, tactile, clicky, optical, and low-profile switches. Each type offers a different balance of smoothness, feedback, speed, and sound.
How many switches do I need for a 75% keyboard? ▼ A 75% keyboard typically requires around 82 to 84 switches, depending on the layout and whether extra keys or split keys are included.

Conclusion

Choosing the right keyboard switch depends on your priorities—gaming speed, typing feel, noise level, and environment. Linear switches are smooth and fast for gaming, tactile switches offer noticeable feedback with less noise, and clicky switches provide strong feedback and sound for typing enthusiasts.

Test switches if possible, focus on your main use case, and experiment with hot-swappable keyboards. There’s no single “best” switch—only the one that feels right for you.