Anatomy of a Mechanical Keyboard

Understanding what’s inside a mechanical keyboard helps you make better choices when buying or building one. This guide breaks down every major component, explaining what each part does and how it affects your typing experience.

Understanding the Layer Structure

A mechanical keyboard is like a sandwich with multiple layers stacked from bottom to top. Each layer serves a specific purpose, and together they create the complete typing experience. We’ll explore each component starting from the bottom and working our way up to what you actually touch.

1. The Case

What It Is

The case is the outer shell that holds everything together. It consists of two main parts: the bottom case (which sits on your desk) and the top case (which surrounds the visible portion of the keyboard). Think of it as the foundation and frame of your keyboard.

What It Does

The case provides structural support for all internal components and protects them from damage. It also serves as the primary surface that makes contact with your desk, affecting how vibrations and sound travel. The case determines the overall aesthetic of your keyboard and contributes significantly to its weight and stability.

Material Options

Plastic (ABS or Polycarbonate)

• Lightweight and affordable
• Good for portability
• Can sound hollow if walls are thin
• May flex under heavy typing pressure

Aluminum

• Provides excellent rigidity and premium feel
• Adds substantial weight for desk stability
• Creates a deeper, more solid sound profile
• More expensive than plastic options

Wood

• Unique aesthetic with natural grain patterns
• Warm, muted sound signature
• Requires more maintenance
• Often custom-made or limited production

Acrylic

• Transparent or translucent for RGB lighting effects
• Moderate weight between plastic and aluminum
• Can show fingerprints and scratches
• Distinctive appearance

How It Affects Typing Experience

A heavier, more rigid case reduces keyboard movement during typing and absorbs vibrations better, creating a more solid typing experience. The material and internal design affect sound dampening—aluminum cases tend to produce a higher-pitched “ping,” while plastic cases can sound hollow. The case’s mounting style (how the plate and PCB attach inside) dramatically impacts typing feel, from rigid and firm to soft and flexible.

2. The PCB (Printed Circuit Board)

What It Is

The PCB is the electronic brain of your keyboard. It’s a flat board with electrical pathways, components, and connection points for switches. Every keypress gets registered here before being sent to your computer.

What It Does

When you press a key, the PCB detects which switch was activated and sends that information to your computer. It processes all the electrical signals from your keypresses and manages features like RGB lighting, programmable layers, and macro functions. The PCB determines whether your keyboard is hot-swappable (allowing you to change switches without soldering) or requires soldering.

Key Features

Hot-Swap vs Soldered

• Hot-swap PCBs have sockets that let you pull switches out and insert new ones without tools
• Soldered PCBs require you to permanently attach switches using a soldering iron
• Hot-swap offers convenience and experimentation; soldered provides maximum stability

Connectivity

• Wired PCBs connect via USB-C, USB-A, or other cables
• Wireless PCBs include Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless capabilities with batteries

Programmability

• QMK/VIA firmware allows complete key remapping and macro programming
• Proprietary software offers varying levels of customization
• Some PCBs support multiple layouts (ANSI, ISO, split spacebar)

How It Affects Typing Experience

The PCB quality determines how responsive your keyboard feels. Higher-quality PCBs have faster polling rates (how often they check for keypresses), reducing input lag. Firmware capabilities affect what you can customize—from simple key remapping to complex macros and layers. Hot-swap functionality lets you experiment with different switches to find your perfect typing feel.

3. The Plate

What It Is

The plate is a flat piece of material with cutouts for each switch. It sits between the PCB and the switches, providing a mounting point that keeps switches aligned and stable.

What It Does

The plate holds switches in precise positions, preventing them from wobbling or shifting during typing. It adds structural rigidity to the keyboard assembly and significantly influences the sound and feel of keypresses. Not all keyboards have plates—some use “plateless” designs where switches mount directly to the PCB.

Material Options

Aluminum

• Stiff and rigid
• Creates a firmer, less flexible typing feel
• Produces a higher-pitched, crisper sound
• Most common choice in custom keyboards

Brass

• Denser and heavier than aluminum
• Offers a deeper, richer sound signature
• Slightly more flexible than aluminum
• Premium option with distinct acoustic properties

Polycarbonate (PC)

• Flexible compared to metal plates
• Softer, bouncier typing feel
• Warmer, deeper sound profile
• Allows more switch flex

FR4 (PCB Material)

• Similar flexibility to polycarbonate
• Cost-effective option
• Good middle ground between rigid and flexible
• Often used in budget builds

Carbon Fiber

• Extremely rigid and lightweight
• Unique aesthetic appearance
• Premium pricing
• Less common in mainstream keyboards

How It Affects Typing Experience

Stiffer plates like aluminum create a more direct, rigid typing feel with less key travel flex. Softer plates like polycarbonate allow switches to flex slightly, creating a “bouncier” feel that some typists prefer. The plate material changes the sound profile—metal plates tend toward sharper, crisper sounds, while plastic plates produce deeper, more muted tones. Plate flex also affects bottom-out feel—the sensation when you press a key all the way down.

4. Stabilizers

What It Is

Stabilizers (often called “stabs”) are mechanical supports for larger keys like the spacebar, Enter, Shift, and Backspace. They consist of a wire and plastic housings that attach to either the plate or PCB.

What It Does

Large keycaps would wobble and tilt without stabilizers because switches only mount in the center. Stabilizers ensure these keys press down evenly no matter where you strike them—left side, right side, or center. They keep the keycap level throughout the entire keypress motion.

Types

Plate-Mount Stabilizers

• Clip into the plate
• Easier to install and remove
• Can be less stable than PCB-mount
• Common in mass-produced keyboards

PCB-Mount (Screw-In) Stabilizers

• Screw directly into the PCB
• More secure and stable
• Require PCB support for mounting holes
• Preferred in custom builds for better performance

Types by Design

• Cherry-style: Most common, widely compatible
• Costar: Wire clips to keycap, less common now
• Optical: Specialized for optical switch keyboards

How It Affects Typing Experience

Well-tuned stabilizers are nearly silent and smooth. Poorly tuned stabilizers create rattling, mushy, or inconsistent keypresses. The spacebar stabilizer quality particularly matters since you use it constantly. Many enthusiasts lubricate and modify their stabilizers to eliminate rattle and improve smoothness. Bad stabilizers can ruin an otherwise excellent keyboard, while good ones become invisible—you don’t notice them because they work perfectly.

5. Switches

What It Is

Switches are the individual mechanical components under each keycap. They’re the heart of what makes a mechanical keyboard “mechanical.” Each switch contains a spring, stem, and housing that work together to register keypresses.

What It Does

When you press a key, the switch’s stem moves down, compressing the spring and triggering an electrical contact point in the PCB. When you release, the spring pushes the stem back up. This mechanical action creates the tactile feedback and sound that mechanical keyboards are known for.

Switch Categories

Linear Switches

• Smooth, consistent motion from top to bottom
• No tactile bump or click sound
• Popular for gaming and fast typing
• Examples: Cherry MX Red, Gateron Yellow, Kailh Speed Silver

Tactile Switches

• Noticeable bump when the switch actuates
• Provides physical feedback without clicking sound
• Balanced for typing and gaming
• Examples: Cherry MX Brown, Glorious Panda, Boba U4T

Clicky Switches

• Tactile bump plus audible click sound
• Loudest switch type
• Satisfying for typists, potentially annoying to others nearby
• Examples: Cherry MX Blue, Kailh Box White, Gateron Blue

Key Specifications

Actuation Force

• Measured in grams (g) or centinewtons (cN)
• Light: 40-50g (easy to press, less finger fatigue)
• Medium: 50-65g (balanced, most common)
• Heavy: 65g+ (requires more force, reduces accidental presses)

Travel Distance

• Total travel: Full distance the switch can move (usually 3.5-4mm)
• Actuation point: Where the keypress registers (usually 1.5-2mm)
• Shorter travel = faster actuation but less key travel feel

Switch Materials

• Housing: Typically nylon or polycarbonate
• Stem: POM plastic or other specialty materials
• Spring: Stainless steel, gold-plated options available

How It Affects Typing Experience

Switches determine the fundamental feel and sound of your keyboard. Linear switches feel smooth and consistent, ideal if you prefer uninterrupted key travel. Tactile switches provide confirmation when a key registers without looking at the screen. Clicky switches offer maximum feedback but are the loudest option. Actuation force affects typing fatigue—lighter switches tire your fingers less during long sessions, while heavier switches can improve typing accuracy by reducing accidental presses.

6. Keycaps

What It Is

Keycaps are the plastic pieces you actually touch when typing. They snap onto switch stems and display the letters, numbers, and symbols. While they might seem purely aesthetic, keycaps significantly impact your typing experience.

What It Does

Keycaps provide the surface your fingers contact, affecting grip, comfort, and typing accuracy. They determine the visual appearance of your keyboard through color schemes and legends (the printed characters). Keycaps also influence sound—different materials and thickness levels change the acoustic signature of keypresses.

Material Options

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

• Smooth, slightly glossy texture
• Lighter weight
• Develops shine over time with use
• Produces higher-pitched sound
• More affordable
• Most common in stock keyboards

PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)

• Textured, matte finish
• Heavier and more durable
• Resists shine longer than ABS
• Produces deeper, more muted sound
• Slightly more expensive
• Preferred by enthusiasts

Other Materials

• Resin: Artisan keycaps with unique designs
• Metal: Accent keys for weight and aesthetics
• Wood: Natural appearance, rare and specialty

Profile Types

Keycap profile refers to the shape and height of keycaps:

Cherry Profile

• Low-profile design
• Comfortable for extended typing
• Most widely available aftermarket option

OEM Profile

• Medium height
• Standard on most pre-built keyboards
• Familiar feel for most users

SA Profile

• Tall, spherical top surface
• Retro aesthetic
• Requires adjustment period for some typists

XDA/DSA Profile

• Uniform height across all rows
• Flat top surface
• Easy row swapping for alternative layouts

Legend Printing Methods

Doubleshot

• Two layers of plastic molded together
• Legends never fade
• Most durable method
• Allows for crisp, clear legends

Dye-Sublimation

• Dye permanently bonded to plastic
• Only works on light-to-dark colors
• Very durable
• Allows complex designs

Laser Etching/Engraving

• Legends etched into surface
• Can feel rough
• May fade over time
• Less common

Pad Printing

• Paint applied to surface
• Least durable method
• Wears off with heavy use
• Found on budget keyboards

How It Affects Typing Experience

Keycap profile affects your fingers’ reach and typing angle—taller profiles require more finger movement while shorter profiles keep your hands closer to the keyboard. Material influences sound significantly; PBT keycaps produce a deeper “thock” while ABS creates a higher-pitched “clack.” Thickness matters too—thicker keycaps sound deeper and feel more solid. The texture affects grip and comfort during extended typing sessions. Finally, keycap legends and colors are purely personal preference, allowing you to customize your keyboard’s appearance.

How Everything Fits Together

Understanding how these components stack together helps you visualize the complete assembly:

1. Bottom case sits on your desk, providing the foundation
2. PCB mounts inside the case, resting on standoffs or supports
3. Stabilizers attach to either the PCB or plate (depending on type)
4. Plate (if present) sits above the PCB, aligned with switch mounting points
5. Switches snap into the plate (or PCB if plateless) and solder or socket into the PCB
6. Keycaps press onto the switch stems
7. Top case encloses the assembly, leaving only keycaps visible

The mounting method (how the plate and PCB attach to the case) varies:

• Tray mount: PCB screws directly to case bottom—firmest, least flexible
• Top mount: Plate attaches to case top—balanced feel
• Gasket mount: Silicone gaskets between plate and case—soft, flexible
• Isolated mount: No direct contact between plate/PCB and case—maximum isolation

Each mounting style creates different typing feels, from rigid and direct to soft and cushioned.

Component Summary Table

Component	Primary Function	Key Considerations	Impact on Experience
Case	Structural housing and desk contact	Material (plastic/aluminum/wood), weight, mounting style	Stability, sound dampening, aesthetics
PCB	Electronic processing and switch detection	Hot-swap vs soldered, firmware, connectivity	Customization options, responsiveness
Plate	Switch mounting and alignment	Material (aluminum/brass/PC), flexibility	Typing stiffness, sound profile
Stabilizers	Large key support and balance	Type (plate/PCB mount), tuning quality	Large key feel and sound
Switches	Keypress mechanism and actuation	Type (linear/tactile/clicky), force, travel	Core typing feel and sound
Keycaps	Touch surface and visual design	Material (ABS/PBT), profile, printing method	Comfort, durability, appearance

Why This Matters

Understanding keyboard anatomy helps you:

• Make informed purchases: Know what to look for in product specifications
• Identify upgrade opportunities: Recognize which components to change for desired improvements
• Troubleshoot issues: Pinpoint which layer causes problems (rattling stabilizers vs scratchy switches)
• Communicate effectively: Discuss keyboards using proper terminology
• Plan custom builds: Ensure component compatibility when selecting parts

Different components matter more to different users. Gamers might prioritize switch actuation speed and PCB polling rate. Typists might focus on switch type and keycap profile. Sound enthusiasts might obsess over case material and plate flex. Understanding each component lets you optimize for your priorities.

Next Steps

Now that you understand keyboard anatomy, you can:

1. Examine your current keyboard with new perspective—identify each component
2. Research which components most affect what you value (sound, feel, customization)
3. Explore modification options (switch swaps, keycap upgrades, stabilizer tuning)
4. Consider building or buying a keyboard with components suited to your preferences

Every keyboard, from budget office boards to high-end customs, contains these fundamental components. The difference lies in material quality, manufacturing precision, and design philosophy. With this foundation, you’re equipped to make choices that match your typing preferences and budget.