Switch Parameter Database
Browse a reference table of widely available switches with actuation force, travel, housing material and sound character, filterable by any field.
Tool Operation Area
| Switch | Type | Actuation | Bottom-out | Pre-travel | Travel | Housing | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry MX Red | Linear | 45 g | 60 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | Nylon / POM stem | Neutral, slightly muted |
| Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | 55 g | 60 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | Nylon / POM stem | Soft, light tactility |
| Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | 60 g | 60 g | 2.2 mm | 4 mm | Nylon / POM stem | Sharp click jacket |
| Cherry MX Black | Linear | 60 g | 80 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | Nylon / POM stem | Deep, heavy |
| Gateron Yellow (KS-3) | Linear | 50 g | 63 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | Nylon | Deep, budget classic |
| Gateron Oil King | Linear | 55 g | 65 g | 2 mm | 3.6 mm | Nylon / Ink POM | Very deep, marbly |
| Gateron Ink Black V2 | Linear | 60 g | 70 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | Ink blend | Deep and full |
| Gateron Milky Yellow Pro | Linear | 50 g | 63 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | Milky nylon | Muted, thocky |
| Akko CS Lavender Purple | Tactile | 36 g | 50 g | 1.9 mm | 4 mm | Nylon / POM | Light, gentle bump |
| Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro | Linear | 40 g | 55 g | 1.9 mm | 3.5 mm | Nylon / POM | Clean, mid-pitch |
| Kailh Box Jade | Clicky | 50 g | 60 g | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | Box PC | Loud click bar |
| Kailh Box White | Clicky | 45 g | 55 g | 1.8 mm | 3.6 mm | Box PC | Crisp, higher pitch |
| Durock POM Linear | Linear | 50 g | 63 g | 2 mm | 3.8 mm | POM | Smooth, muted low |
| Durock T1 / Shrimp | Tactile | 62 g | 67 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | Nylon / PC top | Sharp, pronounced bump |
| Boba U4T | Tactile | 62 g | 68 g | 2 mm | 3.5 mm | Nylon / PC | Loud thocky tactile |
| Boba U4 Silent | Tactile | 62 g | 68 g | 2 mm | 3.5 mm | Nylon + silicone | Very quiet, dampened |
| Gazzew Bobagum Silent | Linear | 52 g | 62 g | 2 mm | 3.5 mm | Nylon + silicone | Near-silent, soft |
| TTC Gold Pink V3 | Linear | 37 g | 45 g | 2 mm | 3.4 mm | PC top / POM | Light and clacky |
| JWK Alpaca V2 | Linear | 62 g | 67 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | Nylon / POM | Balanced, clean |
| Outemu Silent Peach V2 | Linear | 42 g | 53 g | 2 mm | 3.6 mm | Nylon + silicone | Quiet, soft bottom |
| Kailh Speed Silver | Linear | 40 g | 50 g | 1.1 mm | 3.5 mm | Nylon | Light, quick |
| Zealios V2 (67g) | Tactile | 67 g | 78 g | 2 mm | 4 mm | PC / POM | Rounded strong bump |
Values are published manufacturer specifications. Spring tolerance is typically ±5 g and leaf position ±0.2 mm, so treat these as batch averages.
Working Principle
A switch database is only useful if the fields it stores actually predict how a switch behaves. Four do most of the work. Type — linear, tactile or clicky — determines whether there is a force bump and an audible click mechanism. Actuation and bottom-out force set the effort, with the caveat that vendors publish the two inconsistently, so the database records both where they are known. Travel distance determines how far the key moves; the MX standard is 4.0 mm total with actuation near 2.0 mm, but many modern switches shorten total travel to 3.4-3.6 mm, which makes bottom-out arrive sooner and feel firmer. Housing and stem material determine sound and smoothness: nylon housings absorb high frequencies and sound deeper, polycarbonate reflects them and sounds brighter and higher pitched, and POM stems are naturally slippery and often ship acceptably smooth without lubrication. Because sound is subjective, this database records a short character description rather than a number, drawn from consistent community consensus rather than from a single review. Filtering by force range and by type is the fastest way to shortlist, and the table is deliberately small enough to scan: every entry is a switch that is broadly available rather than a limited run, so the shortlist you build is actually purchasable.
How to Use
- 01Use the type filter to narrow to linear, tactile or clicky.
- 02Drag the force range control to bracket the weight you want.
- 03Search by name or material to find a specific family.
- 04Compare shortlisted entries in the Switch Actuation Calculator for a side-by-side view.
- 05Note: figures are manufacturer specifications and carry normal batch tolerance.
FAQ
Where do these numbers come from?
Published manufacturer specifications for each switch. Where a vendor lists only bottom-out force, the actuation field is left as a dash rather than estimated.
Why is my switch smoother or scratchier than described?
Batch variation is real, particularly in stem moulding. Sound and smoothness descriptors are typical, not guaranteed.
Are limited-run switches included?
No. The list is restricted to switches with ongoing general availability so shortlists stay actionable.
Does housing material really change sound that much?
Yes, it is one of the largest single factors after keycap material and case foam. Nylon reads deep and muted, polycarbonate bright and clacky.
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