The complete switch guide for beginners

The switch is the single biggest factor in how your keyboard feels and sounds. Get this right and everything else — case, keycaps, foam — is fine-tuning. Here's the beginner-friendly version.

The three families

Almost every mechanical switch falls into one of three groups, defined by what happens as you press the key down.

• Linear — smooth all the way down, no bump, no click. Quiet and consistent; loved for gaming and fast typing.
• Tactile — a small bump partway down tells your finger the key has registered. A great all-round default.
• Clicky — like tactile, but with an added audible click. Satisfying, but loud for shared spaces.

What about 'silent' switches?

Silent variants add dampening pads inside the switch to cut the bottom-out and return noise. They come in both linear and tactile flavours and are ideal for offices or late-night sessions.

Weight and travel

Actuation force (measured in grams) is how hard you press before the key registers. Lighter switches (~45g) are effortless; heavier ones (~60g+) resist accidental presses. Travel is how far the key moves — most are around 4mm, with 'speed' switches shorter.

So what should I buy?

If you're unsure, start with a medium-weight tactile or a popular linear like a lubed yellow. Better yet, grab a switch tester first — it's a few euros and saves you guessing. And because our boards are hot-swap, you can always change your mind later.