Keyboard Switch Database – Every Mechanical Switch Compared

200+ switches in database

This keyboard switch database tracks 200+ mechanical and Hall Effect switches with 72 specs each – actuation force, housing materials, sound profiles, interactive force curves, and community ratings in one searchable tool. ThereminGoat has force curve data but no filtering. KeebFinder lists 700+ switches but no sound tests. RTINGS tests thoroughly but only covers 153 models. We fill the gaps.

Switch between Gamer Mode for speed-focused specs, Typist Mode for sound and feel, Enthusiast Mode for materials and force curves, or All Specs to see everything. Use smart presets to instantly find switches for your use case. Listen to sound samples, compare interactive force curves, or take the Switch Finder Quiz for personalized recommendations. Also check our gaming keyboard database and switch guide.

How to Use This Database

Toggle between Gamer, Typist, Enthusiast, and All Specs modes to see different filters and table columns tailored to your priorities. Use Smart Presets for one-click filters. Switch between table view for sortable data, card view for a visual browse with audio players, or force curve view to overlay and compare switch curves. Select up to 5 switches and hit Compare for a side-by-side breakdown. Try the Switch Finder Quiz for personalized recommendations. Every filter state is saved in the URL – share your filtered view with anyone.

Complete Switch Database

How We Built This Database

Every switch in this database has been individually researched. We pull specifications from manufacturer datasheets, cross-reference with independent reviews from ThereminGoat and RTINGS, and verify community-reported data from r/MechanicalKeyboards and GeekHack. Our database covers switches from Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Akko, JWK/Durock, Outemu, TTC, SP-Star, KTT, and more.

Unlike other switch databases, we combine technical specs, sound samples, interactive force curves, and community ratings in one searchable tool. If you notice an error or a missing switch, let us know through our contact page.

Understanding Switch Specs

Switch Types Explained

Linear switches travel straight down with no bump or click – smooth and consistent, preferred for gaming. Tactile switches have a bump partway through the keypress that provides physical feedback – popular for typing. Clicky switches add an audible click to the tactile bump – satisfying but loud. Silent variants use rubber dampeners to reduce sound on both actuation and bottom-out, ideal for office or shared spaces. For a detailed comparison, read our linear vs tactile guide.

How to Read Force Curves

A force curve plots the force required (vertical axis, in grams) against travel distance (horizontal axis, in mm). Linear switches show a nearly straight diagonal line – force increases consistently. Tactile switches show a bump where force rises to a peak then drops before rising again – the bump’s size and shape define how tactile the switch feels. A larger bump means more feedback. The actuation point is marked where the keystroke registers. Use our force curve comparison view to overlay multiple switches and see exactly how they differ.

Switch Sound Profiles

Thocky describes a deep, low-pitched sound (below 500Hz emphasis) – achieved with polycarbonate housings, POM stems, and foam dampening. Clacky is a higher-pitched, sharper sound – common with nylon housings and thin plates. Creamy is a smooth, muted sound with minimal scratchiness – typically from well-lubed switches with premium materials. Silent switches use rubber dampening pads and produce minimal sound. The board, plate, and keycaps also noticeably affect sound.

Spring Types and How They Affect Feel

Standard springs provide a consistent, linear resistance increase – the most common type. Progressive springs start light and get heavier near the bottom, preventing hard bottom-outs while keeping the top of the travel light. Slow springs increase resistance very gradually – popular for typing comfort. Long springs extend the full length of the housing, reducing spring crunch and providing a more consistent feel throughout travel.

Housing Materials and Their Impact

Nylon housings are the most common – durable, affordable, produce a higher-pitched sound. Polycarbonate (PC) housings are slightly softer, produce a deeper thockier sound, and are often translucent for RGB. POM housings are self-lubricating, extremely smooth, and produce a unique muted sound. UHMWPE is the smoothest housing material but expensive and rare. The top and bottom housing can be different materials – “milky” Gateron switches use milky nylon on top for sound and clear nylon on bottom for LED light.

Hall Effect Switches Explained

Hall effect switches use magnets and Hall effect sensors instead of physical metal contacts. This enables adjustable actuation (set the actuation point anywhere from 0.1mm to 4.0mm), rapid trigger (key resets instantly when released), and analog input (variable input based on press depth). Because there is no physical contact point, Hall effect switches have effectively unlimited lifespan. The trade-off: they only come in a linear feel, and the switch options are more limited than traditional mechanical. For gaming, especially competitive FPS, Hall effect switches offer measurable performance advantages. See our gaming switch guide for recommendations.

Which Switch Should You Pick?

The database has 200+ switches. Here is how to narrow it down in 30 seconds.

By Use Case

• Competitive FPS gaming: Hall Effect linear (Wooting Lekker or Gateron KS-20) for rapid trigger and adjustable actuation. No mechanical switch matches this for reaction speed.
• General gaming and typing: Gateron Yellow if you want budget linear. Cherry MX Brown or Durock T1 if you want tactile feedback without noise.
• Programming and long typing sessions: Tactile switches at 55-67gf – Akko Penguin or Kailh Box Brown give you the bump without fatiguing your fingers over 8 hours.
• Shared office or dorm: Silent linear (Cherry MX Silent Red or Gateron Silent Yellow). Skip clicky switches entirely.
• Enthusiast modding projects: 5-pin, MX-compatible switches with polycarbonate housing. JWK/Durock switches lube and film well. Use Enthusiast Mode to filter by housing material.

By Budget

• Under $0.30/switch: Gateron Yellow (linear) or Outemu Brown (tactile). Hard to beat at this price.
• $0.30 – $0.70/switch: Akko CS or KTT lines give you premium feel without premium cost. The sweet spot for most people.
• Over $0.70/switch: JWK Alpaca, Glorious Panda, or Cherry MX Hyperglide. Worth it only if you care about stock smoothness and specific sound profiles.

Still not sure? Use the Switch Finder Quiz at the top of the database – it asks 5 questions and filters the results for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best keyboard switch for gaming?

Hall Effect switches like Wooting Lekker and Gateron KS-20 are the fastest gaming switches available. Rapid trigger and adjustable actuation give them a measurable edge over traditional mechanical options. If you want a standard mechanical switch, Cherry MX Red and Gateron Yellow are the go-to linear picks. Use the “Best for FPS” preset above.

What does actuation force mean?

Actuation force is the pressure in grams needed to register a keypress. Light switches (35-45gf) are faster but cause more accidental presses. Medium (50-55gf) balances speed and control. Heavy (60gf+) resists accidental input. Use the force slider filter above to narrow switches to your preferred range.

What is a force curve and why does it matter?

A force curve plots the resistance at each point of a switch’s travel. Linear switches produce a straight line. Tactile switches show a bump where force peaks then drops. Force curves expose feel differences that raw specs miss – the bump’s shape, spring progression, and bottom-out weight. Use our Force Curve view to overlay switches.

Linear vs tactile vs clicky: which should I choose?

Pick linear for gaming and fast typing – smooth travel, no bump. Pick tactile for typing accuracy and coding – a physical bump marks actuation. Pick clicky if you want audible feedback and don’t share a room. Silent variants of linear and tactile exist for office or dorm setups. Try the Switch Finder Quiz above.

What are the best switches for typing?

Tactile switches at 55-67gf with a strong bump work best for typing. Cherry MX Brown, Durock T1, Akko Penguin, and Kailh Box Brown are popular choices. For a premium option, Glorious Panda (tactile) or JWK Alpaca v2 (linear) with hand-applied lube. Use the “Best for Typing” preset in Typist Mode.

What does factory lubed mean?

Factory lubed means the manufacturer applied lubricant during production to reduce friction. Some switches do it well – Gateron Oil King has consistent, smooth factory lube. Others apply lube unevenly, leaving some units scratchy. Enthusiasts hand-lube with Krytox 205g0 or Tribosys 3203 for better results.

What is stem wobble and why should I care?

Stem wobble is the lateral play between the switch stem and housing. Too much wobble makes keycaps feel unstable and creates inconsistent sound. Box-style switches (Kailh Box) have far less wobble than standard MX stems because the housing surrounds the stem on all four sides. Check wobble ratings in Enthusiast Mode.

Are hall effect switches better than mechanical?

For competitive gaming, yes. Hall Effect switches offer rapid trigger, adjustable actuation, and analog input with no contact wear. For typing and modding, traditional mechanical switches have more variety in tactile feel, sound profiles, and customization. Hall Effect wins on speed. Mechanical wins on feel and choice.

What is spring type and how does it affect feel?

Spring type controls how resistance changes through the keypress. Standard springs increase force evenly. Progressive springs start light and get heavy near the bottom to prevent hard bottom-outs. Slow springs ramp gently for comfortable typing. Long springs reduce crunch and feel more linear. Filter by spring type in Enthusiast Mode.

What are the best budget keyboard switches?

Gateron Yellow is the best budget linear switch – smooth, consistent, and under $0.30 per switch. Akko CS Rose Pink (light linear), Outemu Brown (tactile), and KTT Strawberry (smooth linear) are also strong budget picks. All perform well without any modding. Use the “Budget Gaming” or “Budget Typist” presets above.