Mechanical Switch Types Explained

If you’re new to mechanical keyboards, understanding switch types is the first step to finding your perfect keyboard. Don’t worry—it’s simpler than it sounds. Let’s break down everything you need to know.

What Makes a Switch “Mechanical”?

Traditional keyboards use rubber dome switches—imagine pressing a rubber bubble until it collapses. Mechanical switches use actual physical mechanisms with springs and metal contacts. Each keypress has a consistent, precise feel because you’re activating a real switch, not just squishing rubber.

The result? Better tactile feedback, longer lifespan (often 50-100 million keypresses), and a typing experience that feels more intentional and satisfying.

The Three Main Switch Types

All mechanical switches fall into three main categories, each with a distinct personality.

Linear Switches

How They Feel Smooth and consistent from top to bottom, like sliding a knife through butter. There’s no bump or click—just a straight, even press all the way down.

How They Sound Quiet and smooth. You’ll hear a soft “thock” when the key bottoms out, but there’s no additional click or snap during the press.

Best For

• Gaming (especially fast-paced games requiring rapid keypresses)
• People who type quickly and don’t want interruptions
• Quiet office environments
• Anyone who prefers minimal resistance

Who Loves Them Gamers who want lightning-fast double-taps, people who “bottom out” (press keys all the way down), and typists who prefer a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke.

Popular Examples: Cherry MX Red, Gateron Yellow, Kailh Speed Silver

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Tactile Switches

How They Feel You’ll feel a noticeable bump partway through the keypress—like a gentle “speed bump” that tells you, “Yep, you’ve activated the key.” After the bump, the key continues smoothly to the bottom.

How They Sound Quieter than clicky switches but not silent. You’ll hear a muted “thump” when bottoming out. The tactile bump itself is silent—you feel it, but don’t hear it.

Best For

• Typing (the bump confirms each keypress without looking)
• Office work where clicks would be distracting
• People who want feedback without noise
• Programmers and writers who type all day

Who Loves Them Touch typists who want to “feel” when a key registers, office workers who need something quieter than clicky switches, and anyone who wants a middle ground between linear and clicky.

Popular Examples: Cherry MX Brown, Gateron Brown, Boba U4T

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Clicky Switches

How They Feel Similar to tactile switches with a bump, but more pronounced. You feel a crisp, snappy click as the switch activates—like clicking a fancy pen.

How They Sound Loud and satisfying. Each keypress produces a sharp “click-clack” sound that’s unmistakable. Your roommates, coworkers, or family will definitely hear you typing.

Best For

• Typing enthusiasts who love audible feedback
• Solo work environments or home offices
• People who want maximum confirmation per keypress
• Anyone nostalgic for old-school keyboard sounds

Who Loves Them Writers who find the sound motivating, people who work alone and want maximum tactile and auditory satisfaction, and enthusiasts who simply love the classic mechanical keyboard experience.

Popular Examples: Cherry MX Blue, Kailh Box White, Gateron Blue

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Comparing All Three Switch Types

Now that you’ve seen how each switch type works internally, the differences become clear: linear switches offer smooth, uninterrupted travel; tactile switches add a physical bump for feedback; and clicky switches provide both a bump and an audible click for maximum confirmation.

Understanding Actuation Force

Actuation force is simply how hard you need to press a key before it registers. It’s measured in grams (g).

• Light (40-45g): Easy to press, great for fast typing, but you might accidentally trigger keys
• Medium (50-60g): The sweet spot for most people—not too light, not too heavy
• Heavy (65g+): Requires more deliberate presses, reduces accidental keypresses, can cause finger fatigue during long sessions

Think of it like this: light switches are like tapping keys with feathers, medium is like normal typing, and heavy is like pressing keys with intention.

Travel Distance Basics

Travel distance is how far a key moves from rest to fully pressed.

• Standard (4mm total, ~2mm actuation): The traditional depth—feels substantial and gives you room to work
• Short (3-3.5mm total): Faster response time, less finger movement, popular with gamers

Most beginners should start with standard travel. Short travel takes getting used to and might feel “too sensitive” at first.

Switch Type Comparison Table

Feature	Linear	Tactile	Clicky
Feel	Smooth, no bump	Bump halfway down	Pronounced bump + click
Sound Level	Quiet	Moderate	Loud
Feedback Type	None	Physical bump only	Physical + audible
Best For	Gaming, fast typing	Typing, office work	Typing, home use
Noise in Office?	Generally acceptable	Usually acceptable	Often too loud
Learning Curve	Easy	Easy	Easy
Speed	Fastest	Medium	Medium

Silent Switches: The Quiet Alternative

Every switch type has a silent variant with rubber dampeners that absorb the sound when keys bottom out. They maintain the same feel (linear, tactile, or clicky mechanism) but dramatically reduce noise.

When to Choose Silent Switches:

• Shared workspaces or quiet offices
• Late-night typing sessions with others sleeping nearby
• You want the mechanical feel without the mechanical sound
• Recording podcasts or videos at your desk

Trade-off: Silent switches feel slightly “mushier” when bottoming out due to the dampeners. The core switch feel remains the same, but the landing is softer.

Popular Examples: Cherry MX Silent Red (linear), Cherry MX Silent Brown (tactile), Boba U4 Silent (tactile)

Which Switch Type Should You Choose?

Choose Linear if:

• You’re primarily gaming
• You want the quietest mechanical option
• You prefer smooth, uninterrupted keypresses
• You type by bottoming out every key

Choose Tactile if:

• You type more than you game
• You want feedback without loud clicks
• You work in a shared office space
• You’re not sure yet (tactile is the “safe” middle option)

Choose Clicky if:

• You work from home or in a private space
• You love audible confirmation
• The sound motivates or satisfies you
• You’re willing to deal with roommates or coworkers judging you

Still Undecided? Start with tactile switches (like Cherry MX Brown or Gateron Brown). They’re the most versatile, offering feedback without being too loud. You can always try other types later—many enthusiasts own multiple keyboards with different switches!

Final Thoughts

There’s no “best” switch type—only the best switch for you. Your typing style, environment, and personal preferences matter more than any specification sheet.

The good news? Mechanical keyboards are built to last, so whichever switch you choose, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy (and maybe obsess over) your decision.

Ready to find your perfect switch? Explore our collection and feel the difference for yourself.