Linear vs. tactile vs. clicky switches

Mechanical keyboard switches come in five types, and the type determines everything about how a keyboard feels and sounds. This guide compares all five using data from the KeebScout switch database (106 switches), so you can pick the right type before worrying about specific brands.

Linear 53 switches in the database

Linear switches travel straight down with no bump, click, or tactile event. The keystroke is perfectly smooth from rest to bottom-out. This makes them the default choice for gaming, where fast double-taps and rapid key repeats matter more than physical feedback.

Best for: Gaming, fast typing, and anyone who prefers a smooth, unobstructed keystroke.

Popular linear switches

Akko CS Jelly Black 50g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.18/switch The Akko CS Jelly Black is a 50g full-travel budget linear with a translucent PC bottom housing for RGB, a slightly heavier alternative to the Jelly Pink. Akko CS Jelly Pink 45g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.18/switch The Akko CS Jelly Pink is a light 45g budget linear with a translucent PC bottom for RGB shine-through, one of the cheapest ways into a smooth custom feel. Akko Rosewood 40g actuation · 50g bottom-out · $0.20/switch The Akko Rosewood is a light 40g linear with full-nylon housings and a long spring that delivers an HMX-style deep, thocky sound at an Akko price. Akko CS Snow Blue Grey 43g actuation · 50g bottom-out · $0.20/switch The Akko CS Snow Blue Grey is a light 43g linear with an 18mm extended spring and reinforced PA bottom, the first 5-pin release in Akko's CS line. Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro 50g actuation · 60g bottom-out · $0.20/switch The Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro is a budget 50g linear with a dustproof POM stem and a poppy, clacky sound that makes it one of the best sub-$0.25 stock switches. Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro 55g actuation · 63g bottom-out · $0.20/switch The Akko V3 Matcha Green Pro is the heavier option in Akko's V3 Pro linear lineup at 55g actuation and 63g bottom-out, with a deeper, creamier sound than the Cream Yellow Pro.

See all 53 linear switches →

Tactile 30 switches in the database

Tactile switches have a noticeable bump partway through the keystroke, telling you the switch has actuated without needing to bottom out. That feedback makes them the most popular typing switch: you feel each key register, which reduces accidental presses and improves typing confidence.

Best for: Typing, programming, and general office work where you want feedback without noise.

Popular tactile switches

Akko Cilantro 36g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.29/switch The Akko Cilantro is an HMX-made early-bump tactile with a strong 58g peak right at the top of travel and a deep clack, Akko's first serious enthusiast tactile. Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro 45g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.20/switch The Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro is a budget 45g tactile with a mild 55g bump and dustproof stem, an easy first tactile for the price of a cheap linear. Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro 40g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.20/switch The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro is a budget tactile with an early 55g bump near the top of travel, giving stronger feedback than the Cream Blue Pro at the same price. Cherry MX Brown 55g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.35/switch The Cherry MX Brown is the classic light 55g tactile that defined the "quiet office switch" category, with a subtle bump that enthusiasts either rely on or mod away. Cherry MX Clear 65g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.40/switch The Cherry MX Clear is a stiff 65g tactile with a larger bump than the MX Brown, best known today as the donor stem for the community's Ergo Clear spring-swap mod. Cherry MX Ergo Clear 55g actuation · ?g bottom-out · price n/a The Cherry MX Ergo Clear is the factory version of the famous community mod that pairs the MX Clear's big tactile bump (55cN peak) with a much lighter spring that falls to about 40cN at actuation.

See all 30 tactile switches →

Clicky 10 switches in the database

Clicky switches add an audible click mechanism on top of the tactile bump. The click is produced by a physical click leaf (not just the bump), so it is loud and unmistakable. Clicky switches are polarizing: enthusiasts who type in shared spaces tend to avoid them, but many users love the definitive sound and the old-school mechanical feel.

Best for: Home offices, gaming setups, and users who want maximum audible and tactile feedback.

Popular clicky switches

Cherry MX Blue 60g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.35/switch The Cherry MX Blue is the archetypal click-jacket clicky switch, actuating at 60g with the sharp, jingly click that most people picture when they hear "mechanical keyboard". Cherry MX Green 80g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.40/switch The Cherry MX Green is the heavy 80g version of the MX Blue, originally used as a stiffer spacebar switch and now favored by typists who want maximum click resistance. Gateron G Pro Blue 60g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.25/switch The Gateron G Pro Blue is a classic click-jacket 60g clicky switch found in many stock Keychron boards, giving an audible click at a budget price. Gateron Melodic 60g actuation · ?g bottom-out · price n/a The Gateron Melodic is a modern 60g clicky switch that uses a tiny early-actuating click leaf and lubed third-rail stem design to produce an unusually clean, chiming click. Kailh Box Jade 50g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.35/switch The Kailh Box Jade is a thick-click-bar clicky with a 50g operating force and roughly 75g tactile peak, delivering one of the loudest, snappiest clicks in mainstream production. Kailh Box Navy 60g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.35/switch The Kailh Box Navy is the heaviest thick-click-bar switch, with a 60g operating force and about a 95g tactile peak that makes every keystroke a deliberate, thunderous event.

See all 10 clicky switches →

Silent linear 9 switches in the database

Silent linear switches use silicone or rubber dampeners inside the switch housing to silence the bottom-out and return sounds. They keep the smooth linear travel but reduce the typing volume dramatically, making them the best choice for open offices and shared workspaces where even a normal linear would be too loud.

Best for: Open offices, libraries, and shared workspaces where noise is a problem.

Popular silent linear switches

Akko Fairy Silent 50g actuation · 60g bottom-out · $0.24/switch The Akko Fairy Silent is a budget 50g silent linear with silicone dampening that keeps typing hushed without feeling overly mushy. Cherry MX Silent Black 60g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.45/switch The Cherry MX Silent Black is the 60g heavy version of Cherry's dampened linear, muting bottom-out and upstroke for typists who like MX Black weighting without the noise. Cherry MX Silent Red 45g actuation · ?g bottom-out · $0.45/switch The Cherry MX Silent Red is a 45g linear with integrated rubber dampeners on the stem that cut both bottom-out and upstroke noise, making it the standard quiet-office pick. Durock Daybreak ?g actuation · 67g bottom-out · $0.55/switch The Durock Daybreak is a 67g silent linear best known as a recolor of the beloved Silent Alpaca, offering the same smooth damped feel with a heavier spring than the Dolphin. Durock Dolphin ?g actuation · 62g bottom-out · $0.55/switch The Durock Dolphin is a 62g silent linear with JWK's patented silent stem, giving one of the smoothest muted keystrokes in its class. Gazzew Bobagum 46g actuation · 55g bottom-out · $0.65/switch The Gazzew Bobagum is a pink near-silent linear that ranks among the quietest switches sold, with a soft but not mushy landing; multiple spring weights exist.

See all 9 silent linear switches →

Silent tactile 4 switches in the database

Silent tactile switches combine the tactile bump with the same internal dampening as silent linears. You get the typing feedback of a tactile switch at a fraction of the volume. They are the quietest option for users who need to feel each key actuate.

Best for: Quiet offices and shared spaces where you still want tactile typing feedback.

Popular silent tactile switches

Akko Penguin Silent 43g actuation · 60g bottom-out · $0.24/switch The Akko Penguin Silent is a budget silent tactile with a snappy 58g P-shaped bump near the top, often compared to a quieter, cheaper Boba U4. Gazzew Boba U4 ?g actuation · 62g bottom-out · $0.65/switch The Gazzew Boba U4 is widely considered the best silent tactile available, keeping the U4T's strong bump while damping both downstroke and upstroke to near silence; also sold in 68g. Outemu Cream Yellow 45g actuation · 60g bottom-out · $0.25/switch The Outemu Cream Yellow is a budget silent tactile with rubber-dampened rails that keeps a clear bump while staying office-quiet, a cheap Boba U4 alternative. TTC Silent Bluish White V2 42g actuation · 50g bottom-out · $0.55/switch The TTC Silent Bluish White is a double-dampened silent tactile with a 58g peak bump, silicone base muffler, and inner-ring stem silencing that makes it one of the quietest tactiles sold.

Quick comparison

Type	Bump	Sound	Best for	In database
Linear	None	Smooth, varies	Gaming, fast typing, and anyone who prefers a smooth, unobstructed keystroke	53
Tactile	Yes	Bump, varies	Typing, programming, and general office work where you want feedback without noise	30
Clicky	Yes	Loud click	Home offices, gaming setups, and users who want maximum audible and tactile feedback	10
Silent linear	None	Dampened	Open offices, libraries, and shared workspaces where noise is a problem	9
Silent tactile	Yes	Dampened	Quiet offices and shared spaces where you still want tactile typing feedback	4

How to choose

If you game: start with a linear switch. The smooth travel makes double-taps and rapid presses effortless. Popular entry points include the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro and Cherry MX Red.

If you type all day: go tactile. The bump tells you each key has registered, which reduces bottom-out fatigue and improves accuracy. The Gazzew Boba U4T and Cherry MX Brown are the classic references.

If you work in a shared space: pick a silent variant. Silent linears like the Akko Fairy Silent or silent tactiles like the Akko Penguin Silent keep your typing from bothering anyone.

If you want maximum feedback: clicky switches like the Cherry MX Blue or Kailh Box White give you both a tactile bump and an audible click on every keystroke.

Once you know your type, use the switch database to compare specific switches by force, travel, and housing material. If your keyboard is hot-swappable, you can try several types without buying a new board.