keyswitch
Keyboard's tactile heart
A keyswitch is the mechanical component beneath a key on a keyboard that registers when the key is pressed.
Keyboard enthusiasts distinguish keyswitches by their tactile feedback, sound, and actuation force—Cherry MX Blues click audibly, while reds are linear and quiet.
I swapped out the keyswitches on my gaming keyboard for something heavier.
Initiating mechanical movement
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- stemPlant's central axis
- housingDwellings or protective covering
- contactCommunication or physical touch
plate · mount · travel · force · plunger · dome · buckling · stabilizer
Red stone fruit
- linearArranged in straight succession
- tactileOf the touching sense
- clickyMaking repeated small sounds
- boxLidded storage container
silent · optical · membrane · rubber dome · scissor · speed · low-profile · hot-swap
Perceivability through touch
- clackSharp percussive noise
- smoothnessFreedom from irregularity
- scratchinessRough, irritating texture quality
- wobbleUnsteady side-to-side motion
ping · lubrication · filming · break-in · bump · feedback · resistance · cushion
Fusible bonding alloy
Button actuation on keyboard
- typing speedKeyboard input rate
- bottoming outReaching the lowest level
- gamingInteractive electronic entertainment
- touch typingTyping without watching keys
double-tap · rapid fire · rollover · ghosting · responsiveness
actuation
Initiating mechanical movement
contact · plate · mount · travel · force · plunger · dome · buckling · stabilizer · dampener
cherry
Red stone fruit
box · silent · optical · membrane · rubber dome · scissor · speed · low-profile · hot-swap
tactility
Perceivability through touch
- clackSharp percussive noise
- smoothnessFreedom from irregularity
- scratchinessRough, irritating texture quality
wobble · ping · lubrication · filming · break-in · bump · feedback · resistance · cushion · snap
solder
Fusible bonding alloy
keypress
Button actuation on keyboard
- typing speedKeyboard input rate
- bottoming outReaching the lowest level
- gamingInteractive electronic entertainment
touch typing · double-tap · rapid fire · rollover · ghosting · responsiveness
keyswitchkeycap
Keyboard switch cover
stabilizer · PCB · plate · housing · case
keyswitchvirtual keyboard
Digital on-screen input
touchscreen · membrane · rubber dome · optical sensor · trackpad
key, switch, keys, keyed, keying, keyless, keyword, keyhole, keystone