Interactive switch finder
Switch Finder by Feel
Use the switch finder to match mechanical keyboard switches by feel, weight, bump, sound, use, and budget, with specs and reasons for each match.
Set your preferences, then refine with the chips. You get ranked switches with a full spec card, a "why it matches", and a budget + premium pick. Dataset review date: May 2026; prices are estimates.
How the switch finder matches feel
The finder ranks 40 entries using six preferences. Start with the feel you want, then change one answer at a time to see which candidates move up. Every result includes its stored specifications and an explanation of the matches and compromises. A match percentage describes agreement with this scoring method; it is not a product review score or a probability that you will enjoy the switch.
| Preference | Maximum points | What the finder uses |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | 32 | Linear, tactile, clicky, or silent classification |
| Actuation weight | 22 | Under 50 g, 50–62 g, or over 62 g |
| Bump strength | 14 | Subtle or pronounced bump labels |
| Sound | 16 | Quiet, thocky, clacky, or clicky labels |
| Primary use | 8 | Actuation distance and switch type |
| Budget | 8 | Stored value, mid, or premium price tier |
Feel, weight, and bump are separate choices
Feel carries the most weight in the score. An exact type match receives the most points, while silent entries can receive partial credit for a matching linear or tactile character. Silent is a convenience category in this dataset; use the bump field to distinguish its entries. A different type can still appear when it matches your other preferences, so read the type on each result before buying.
The weight preference uses the stored actuation-force number, not bottom-out force. Both numbers appear on the result card so you can compare them separately. A neighboring weight band earns partial credit. Bump strength is handled separately again: it uses the dataset's subtle and pronounced labels, rather than inferring a bump from the force number. If those terms are unfamiliar, the switch decision guide explains how to narrow your choices.
Sound and use describe preferences
The sound options match descriptive labels stored with each entry. They are not decibel readings or a promise of the sound in your assembled keyboard. Use them to explore a shortlist, then consider the board and keycaps you will use. The keyboard sound guide covers those surrounding choices.
Gaming mode gives its highest use score to entries with a stored actuation distance of 1.5 mm or less, then favors linear entries among the rest. Typing mode gives linear, tactile, and silent entries more points than clicky entries. These are the finder's stated selection rules, not measured gaming results or typing-speed claims. Choose mixed use if that rule does not describe your priorities.
Read the compromises before choosing a sample
The preferences rank every entry rather than excluding all imperfect matches. “No preference” awards a fixed partial score on that axis; it does not remove the axis from the denominator. The first four results are the highest scores. The additional budget and premium suggestions are the highest-scoring entries in those tiers outside the first four, when available. Open “Why it matches” and the full ranking to inspect the tradeoffs.
Prices per 100 and the tier labels are stored estimates, not a live quote or a hard spending limit. Follow the entry's manufacturer or vendor link to verify the exact variant, specifications, pack size, and current price. Check socket compatibility separately. Before committing to a full set, use the switch-tester method to compare a small selection. The refinement buttons help you explore lighter, quieter, or cheaper candidates, and the share button keeps your selected preferences in the link.
All 40 switches we score
This dataset covers conventional contact switches. Confirm the exact switch's pin layout, height, and socket support against your keyboard manual before ordering. Magnetic (Hall effect) switches are deliberately absent: they only work in boards built with magnetic sensing, and their actuation point is a software setting rather than a fixed spec, so scoring them on the same axes would be misleading. If that is the category you are weighing, read Hall effect switches vs mechanical instead.
| Switch | Type | Actuation | Bottom-out | Sound | $/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry MX Red ↗ | linear | 45g | 75g | clacky | $38 |
| Cherry MX Black ↗ | linear | 60g | 80g | thocky | $38 |
| Cherry MX Brown ↗ | tactile | 45g | 60g | clacky | $38 |
| Cherry MX Blue ↗ | clicky | 50g | 60g | clicky | $38 |
| Cherry MX Speed Silver ↗ | linear | 45g | 75g | clacky | $42 |
| Cherry MX Silent Red ↗ | silent | 45g | 70g | quiet | $48 |
| Gateron G Pro Yellow ↗ | linear | 50g | 65g | thocky | $28 |
| Gateron Red ↗ | linear | 45g | 60g | clacky | $22 |
| Gateron Ink Black V2 ↗ | linear | 60g | 70g | thocky | $65 |
| Gateron Oil King ↗ | linear | 55g | 65g | thocky | $60 |
| Gateron Baby Kangaroo ↗ | tactile | 60g | 70g | thocky | $60 |
| Gateron CAP Golden Brown ↗ | tactile | 45g | 55g | thocky | $40 |
| Gateron G Pro Brown ↗ | tactile | 45g | 55g | thocky | $28 |
| Gazzew Boba U4T ↗ | tactile | 62g | 68g | thocky | $38 |
| Gazzew Boba U4 (Silent) ↗ | silent | 62g | 68g | quiet | $38 |
| Gazzew Boba LT (Silent Linear) ↗ | silent | 62g | 68g | quiet | $38 |
| Drop Holy Panda X ↗ | tactile | 60g | 67g | thocky | $65 |
| Glorious Panda ↗ | tactile | 67g | 70g | clacky | $65 |
| Akko CS Jelly Pink ↗ | linear | 45g | 55g | thocky | $22 |
| Akko CS Lavender Purple ↗ | tactile | 50g | 58g | thocky | $22 |
| Akko CS Crystal ↗ | linear | 43g | 55g | clacky | $22 |
| Kailh BOX White ↗ | clicky | 45g | 55g | clicky | $30 |
| Kailh BOX Jade ↗ | clicky | 50g | 60g | clicky | $32 |
| Kailh BOX Navy ↗ | clicky | 65g | 75g | clicky | $32 |
| Kailh Speed Copper ↗ | tactile | 50g | 60g | clacky | $32 |
| Kailh Pro Purple ↗ | tactile | 50g | 70g | clacky | $30 |
| ZealPC Zealios V2 (67g) ↗ | tactile | 67g | 78g | clacky | $110 |
| ZealPC Tealios V2 ↗ | linear | 67g | 78g | clacky | $110 |
| Durock / JWK Alpaca V2 ↗ | linear | 45g | 62g | thocky | $50 |
| Durock L7 ↗ | linear | 45g | 63g | thocky | $55 |
| Durock T1 ↗ | tactile | 67g | 78g | thocky | $50 |
| Durock Shrimp (Sunset) ↗ | tactile | 55g | 67g | thocky | $52 |
| Outemu Silent Lemon ↗ | silent | 45g | 53g | quiet | $22 |
| Haimu Whisper (Silent Linear) ↗ | silent | 42g | 55g | quiet | $35 |
| WS / Wuque Aki Clear ↗ | linear | 50g | 62g | clacky | $45 |
| KTT Strawberry ↗ | linear | 42g | 50g | thocky | $24 |
| C³ Tangerine (62g) ↗ | linear | 62g | 67g | clacky | $60 |
| Epomaker Flamingo ↗ | linear | 48g | 58g | thocky | $30 |
| NovelKeys Cream ↗ | linear | 55g | 70g | thocky | $45 |
| Sotto / JWK Mauve ↗ | tactile | 63g | 67g | thocky | $55 |