Build Cost Calculator
List kit, PCB, plate, switches, keycaps, stabilizers, cable and consumables, then compare two complete builds by total and by cost per key.
Tool Operation Area
Build A
Build B
Comparison
Figures are currency-agnostic — enter everything in one currency. Nothing you type is stored or transmitted; the calculation runs entirely in your browser.
Working Principle
Custom keyboard budgeting fails in predictable places, so a useful cost model has to count more than the headline kit price. Switches are priced per unit, not per set, and the count depends on your layout: a 60% needs about 61 switches, a TKL 87, and a full-size 104, plus spares. Buying in tens means the practical order quantity rounds up, and the calculator applies that rounding. Consumables are the second blind spot. Lube, a brush, a switch opener, a stem holder, foam sheet, desoldering equipment for solder builds and a set of tools together commonly add a meaningful fraction of a first build's cost, and they are one-time purchases that should be amortised across future builds rather than charged entirely to this one. Shipping and import duty are the third: group buys frequently ship from overseas, and duty is levied on declared value plus shipping in most jurisdictions, so the tool applies a duty rate to the goods subtotal rather than to the kit alone. Cost per key is the comparison metric that makes different layouts comparable — a full-size build almost always has a lower cost per key than a 60% because the case and PCB cost is spread across more switches. Comparing two specs side by side exposes where the money actually goes, which is usually the case and the keycaps rather than the switches builders agonise over.
How to Use
- 01Fill the line items for Build A. Leave anything you already own at zero.
- 02Set your switch count and unit price; the tool rounds the order quantity to the packaging size you choose.
- 03Add shipping and a duty percentage if you are importing.
- 04Fill Build B to compare, then read totals, difference and cost per key.
- 05Tip: put your one-time tool purchases in the consumables line only for your first build.
FAQ
Which currency does this use?
It is currency-agnostic. Enter all figures in one currency and the totals stay consistent.
Should I include the desk mat and wrist rest?
Only if you are budgeting a complete desk setup. For a build-only comparison, leave them out so cost per key stays meaningful.
Why is cost per key useful?
It normalises across layouts. It is the fastest way to see that a small board with a premium case is far more expensive per key than a larger one.
Does it store my data?
No. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is transmitted or saved on a server.
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