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The Ultimate Guide to Mechanical Keyboards

Keycaps: The Essential Guide for Keyboard Enthusiasts

Whether you’re an expert or just starting out, this guide will help you achieve the keyboard of your dreams.

Creating custom keyboards is an engaging hobby, giving the creatively minded precise control over their hardware’s look and feel. Whether you’re a hobbyist just setting out on your journey or a longtime keyboard maestro, one of the most important aspects of creating a custom keyboard is selecting the right keycaps. This guide will break down everything you need to know about keycaps and where to find them — or even make them — so that you, too, can create the keyboard of your dreams.

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Everything to know about keycap profiles

What are keycap profiles?

Keycap profiles are what classify the size and shape of a keycap, which is the piece of a keyboard that your fingers contact when you type.

If you look at a mechanical keyboard from the side, you’ll see that either every keycap has an identical size and shape or slight variations exist between rows. This is one of the primary variations between keycaps: whether the layout is uniform or “sculpted” to meet your fingertips. Other variations include the height of a keycap, as well as the shape of its top.

Keycap Types

OEM keycaps

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) denotes a size and shape of a key cap common to many keyboards. They are typically of medium height and have an angled top. OEM keycaps are usually slightly sculpted.

Cherry keycaps

Cherry keycaps are similar to OEM keycaps. They are also medium height, have similarly sculpted designs, and their tops are usually angled. However, Cherries have less aggressive sculpting than their OEM counterparts.

SA keycaps

SA keycaps are some of the tallest on the market, which makes them more sculptable. Their tops are both angled and concave, with the “S” meaning “spherical.” The indent leaves space for one’s fingers to rest on.

Flat keycaps

Flat keycaps don’t fit a single profile but are an overarching category representing a common design choice. They feature a flat surface without any angled or convex shapes.

"Chiclet" keycaps

The “Chiclet” keycap was nicknamed as such due to its resemblance to the brand of chewing gum. They feature a uniform look that seems to barely rise from the keyboard’s surface.

Read “The Complete Guide to Keycap Profiles” for more information.

What are mechanical keyboard keycaps?

How mechanical keycaps change the experience

The tactile feedback of a keyboard is important to many typists, and keycaps play a large role in determining a keyboard’s feel. Mechanical keyboards are notable for their distinct feeling, but the exact nature of that feeling will depend on the keycaps being used and the materials they’re made out of.

Mechanical Keycap Features

Materials

Using thicker or thinner keycaps will change the sensation you feel while typing. Additionally, some materials, like ABS plastic, are smooth. Others, like PBT plastic, have a grippier, textured surface.

Custom keycaps

Some keyboard enthusiasts opt to make their own custom keycaps to get the perfect look and feel for their needs. Custom keycaps also allow the user to show off their personality. YouTuber tinymakesthings is a prime example of how far enthusiasts can go when designing custom keycap art. 

For more information, read our full blog post “What Are Mechanical Keycaps?”

What are custom keycaps?

Custom keycaps are any set of caps that are sold on their own and meant to replace pre-installed keycaps. Using custom keycaps allows enthusiasts to create unique color schemes and ergonomic designs.

Sources for Information on Custom Keycaps

Stores

Some online retailers have emerged as reliable ways to find exciting new keycaps. Drop, Kinetic Labs, and TaroDepato are all excellent places to start looking.

Communities

There are plenty of communities online where keyboard enthusiasts swap designs and share ideas. The MechanicalKeyboards subreddit is a beginner-friendly way to get started.

DIY

While it’s certainly not for the impatient, you can DIY custom keycaps. Video tutorials can teach you the basics of the process.

Did You Know? The HHKB layout repositions the Control key to make frequently used shortcuts faster and more ergonomic. Learn More.

Check out our full blog post “What Are Custom Keycaps?” for more information.

Everything to know about PBT keycaps

What are PBT keycaps?

Polybutylene terephthalate plastic (PBT) is used for everything from auto part connectors to television accessories, and it’s also a common material for keycaps. The plastic is very durable, which makes it perfect for a high-usage component.

PBT keycaps are made through injection molding. Factories take thermoplastic compounds and melt them into a liquid that’s then injected into molds. Those molds form a plastic keycap. The process is more difficult for PBT due to its superior resistance to heat and chemicals.

How are PBT Keycaps Marked?

Pad printing

Letters are pressed directly onto keys with ink. This method is rarely found among PBT keycaps.

Laser etching

A laser beam burns away the top layer of plastic to either color or engrave the legend onto keycaps. The resulting grooves can then be filled with additional coloring to make the legend stand out more.

Dye-sublimation

Dye-sublimation looks similar to pad printing, but it uses heat to inject ink directly into the plastic, so lettering doesn’t wear away over time.

Double-shot injection

One color of plastic is injected into the legend mold, and another dye is injected around the legend to form the rest of the keycap. It’s the most expensive method, but it produces the highest quality keys.

Read our blog post “PBT Keycaps: Everything There Is to Know” for more information.

Are Cherry MX keycaps worth the hype?

What are Cherry MX keycaps?

Cherry MX keycaps are compatible with Cherry MX-style switches, such as Cherry MX Blues and Cherry MX Browns. However, the Cherry MX style of switches is compatible with many other key switches that are produced by other companies. The fundamental identifier is the cross-shaped mount on the underside of the cap.

Cherry MX keycaps, and the switches beneath them, are some of the most common on the market. Here are some of the differences between styles:

Distinctions of Cherry MX Keycaps

Keycap material

Cherry MX keycaps are typically made from ABS or PBT. The latter is more durable, but also more expensive. Other types, such as the “jelly”-like POM keycaps, are gaining popularity.

Keycap profile

Cherry profile keycaps have angled tops and are sculpted across each row to better meet your fingers.

Keycap appearance

New aesthetics enter the market every day, so there are plenty of options when choosing the appearance of a Cherry MX keycap.

Check out our full blog “Cherry MX Keycaps: Everything You Need To Know” for more info.

The best keycaps for mechanical keyboards

How to find the best keycaps for you

Those in the market for mechanical keyboard keycaps should consider the material, profile, and style they want for their build. Here are some of the best options.

Best keycaps for mechanical keyboards

Drop + Redsuns GMK Red Samurai

Red Samurai keycaps are part of a beautiful Cherry-profile kit. Their red and black color scheme is inspired by some of Japan’s most famed pieces of samurai armor, though they also come in blue.

Boba Fett keycaps

NovelKeys’ official Star Wars keycaps feature the iconic color scheme of Star Wars’ most infamous bounty hunter. They’re perfect for anyone that wants to pay homage to the franchise in a subtle way.

HK Gaming 9009 keycaps

The 9009s from HK Gaming are a classic set of keycaps with a comforting color scheme of beiges and greys, though there are some satisfying splashes of color in there as well. The keys are made with durable PBT plastic and feature a low-riding Cherry profile.

Did You Know? Handy HHKB accessories such as a keyboard lid and adjustable stand help make the most of your board. Click here to learn more.

For more mechanical keyboard keycap recommendations, read “The 5 Best Keycaps For Mechanical Keyboard Enthusiasts” or “5 of the Best Keycap Sets You Can Buy Right Now.”

Wild keycaps for your next custom build

Add some extra flair to your keyboard

Whether you want to try a different style of keycap, create a striking design, or just switch to an unusual material, here are some of the best choices for your next build.

Wild Keycap Options

PBTfans Basin keycap set

The PBTfans Basin keycap set features gorgeous aqua accents and bright surface values with navy blue keycaps in the middle. The legends are easy to read, and their Cherry profile provides a satisfying feel.

POM Jelly Keycaps Rainbow kit

Want to be reminded of spring all year round? The POM Jelly Keycaps Rainbow kit features pastel pinks, blues, greens, and yellows that will evoke images of blooming flowers. The keycaps have a weighty keypress sound and a silky feel.

OSA Simple White PBT keycaps

If you’d rather your keyboard have a whiteout look, the OSA Simple White PBT keycaps  are a great option. They have an unusual profile, but one that gives them a delightful look and feel. The keycaps are medium height with semi-spherical tops.

Want more striking keycap styles? Read our blog post “7 Wild Keycap Styles For Your Next Custom Build.”

Stylish WASD keycaps for gaming builds

What is WASD?

W is forward, A is left, S is back, and D is right. Today, WASD is the standard directional input layout for countless PC games. For gamers, the WASD keys are likely to see a lot of use, so it can be beneficial to use keycaps made specifically for those four keys. Here are some of the options.

Keycap Options for WASD Keys

Drop + MiTo GMK Pixel

The Drop + MiTo GMK Pixel are both minimalist and colorful, with an assortment of accent keys to lend your board a unique aesthetic. If you want your keyboard to look uniform, there’s also a full keycap set.

Rubberized gaming keycaps

Rubberized gaming keycaps can give your keyboard some textural variety, making it easier to find the WASD keys just based on feel.
 

Walnut keycaps

Walnut keycaps have a soft touch and an elegant, rustic look to them, making them a magnificent option.

Check out “WASD Keycaps: 6 Stylish Options For Your Gaming Setup” or for more options to spice up your gaming keyboard.

RGB keycaps to ignite your setup

What is RGB?

RGB stands for red, green, and blue. RGB keyboards are colorful, often with reactive effects that allow lights to shine up from the keyboard. Keycaps built specifically for RGB keyboards can add some interesting layers to the colorful effect.

RGB Keycap Options

POM Jelly Sugarcube keycaps

If you want a sort of dreamy bloom for your keyboard, the POM Jelly Sugarcube keycaps from Escape Keyboard are a good fit. The design allows for a diffused, but bright, lighting setup.

G.SKILL Crystal Crown keycaps

The G.SKILL Crystal Crown keycaps combine simple elegance and otherworldly pudding keys into a coherent design. They feature transparent sides that allow you to admire your switches, with a translucent legend and “crown” around their perimeter to provoke visual interest.

LavaCaps Pudding Keycaps

LavaCaps Pudding Keycaps  cause each keycap to emit a beautifully diffused glow, with opaque tops that create a silhouette effect.

Find the best keycaps for every type of keyboard with our guide, “RGB Keycaps: 5 Sets That Let Your Light Shine Through.” 

Where to buy replacement keycaps

How to find the right replacement keys

Most mass-market mechanical keyboards come pre-installed with a set of keycaps, but you may find yourself wanting to swap them out for a variety of reasons. Luckily, boutique shops exist that will have bare boards and replacement keycaps.

Be sure to double-check your board for compatibility before buying any keycaps. As long as your board is compatible with Cherry MX-style switches, you can mix and match between styles and brands to your heart’s content.

3 Places to Find Replacement Keycaps

Drop

Drop works with community-favorite creators to bring unique new designs to market. It’s essentially a hub for curated community favorites. However, it doesn’t have an endless selection like some of its competitors, and its boutique nature means it isn’t the cheapest option.

Kbdfans

If you're looking for a range of prices and styles, Kbdfans has you covered. Kbdfans is a one-stop shop for keyboard enthusiasts, with an ample selection of keycaps to peruse.

KeebsForAll

Beginners will want to turn their attention to KeebsForAll. The site is built to be welcoming to newcomers, with accessible prices and a 14-day return policy.

Want to find even more great keycaps for your mechanical keyboard? Check out our guide, “The 5 Best Places to Get Replacement Keycaps For Your Mechanical Keyboard.”

Where to learn to make your own keycaps

Making your own keycaps

If you can’t find the perfect set of keycaps for your board, you can make your own. Custom keycaps can be either their own artistic accent or push your keyboard’s entire design to the next level.

Resources to Make Your Own Keycaps

Tinymakesthings

If you want to make cute clay caps, tinymakesthings  is the channel for you. Tinymakesthings will show you how to shape and bake clay keycaps using existing PBT caps, turning the hobby into a more accessible medium.

Mihi Mini Studio

Those that would rather read guides than watch them should turn to Mihi Mini Studio, which features a written tutorial series for creating artisan keycaps. It will cover shaping clay, painting keycaps, and all the materials you’ll need along the way.

r/Keycaps

Need inspiration? The fine folks over at r/Keycaps, a subreddit dedicated to the hobby, have plenty to offer. The forum sees regular posts from keycap artisans, each with their own creative designs.

Find the perfect keycaps for every board in your collection with our guide, “4 Places to Learn How to Make Artisan Keycaps.”

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