Cherry MX Black

Linear Cherry

Cherry MX Black switch
Image courtesy of Cherry

The Cherry MX Black is the original 1984 MX linear, a firm 60g switch whose vintage "broken-in" examples are still hunted by enthusiasts for frankenswitch builds.

Cherry MX Black specs

Type Linear
Actuation force 60g
Bottom-out force n/a
Pre-travel 2 mm
Total travel 4 mm
Stem POM
Top housing nylon
Bottom housing nylon
Spring single-stage
Factory lube none
Pins 5-pin
Typical price $0.35 / switch
Sound profile deep, muted
Released 1984

Spec fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers rather than guesses.

Unverified: specs compiled from manufacturer listings

Where to buy

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Switches similar to the Cherry MX Black

Gateron Ink Black V2 Linear The Gateron Ink Black V2 is a premium 60g linear whose proprietary smoky INK housing made it the community's benchmark smooth linear for years. Compare: Cherry MX Black vs Gateron Ink Black V2
Kailh Box Black Linear The Kailh Box Black is the 60g heavy linear of the dustproof Box line, giving MX Black-style weighting with the shorter 3.6mm Box travel. Compare: Cherry MX Black vs Kailh Box Black
Cherry MX Silent Black Silent linear 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. Compare: Cherry MX Black vs Cherry MX Silent Black

Keyboards sold with the Cherry MX Black

Cherry G80-3000 full · $95 The Cherry G80-3000 is a 104-key full-size mechanical keyboard first introduced in 1988 and still produced today, sold wired-only with fixed Cherry MX Black, Blue, or Brown switches and no backlighting or software features. Cherry MX 2.0S full · $90 The Cherry MX 2.0S is a 109-key full-size wired keyboard with Gold Crosspoint Cherry MX switches available in Black, Blue, Brown, Red, or Silent Red, offered in RGB or non-RGB versions in a minimalist black or white case. Ducky Mecha Mini 60% · $109 A 60% wired mechanical keyboard with a full aluminum top case, PBT double-shot keycaps, and per-key RGB backlighting aimed at enthusiasts wanting a heavier build. Ducky One 2 Mini 60% · $99 A 60% wired mechanical keyboard with a PBT double-shot keycap set, tray mount plate construction, and full per-key RGB backlighting popular among competitive gamers. Ducky One 2 SF 65% · $109 A 65% wired mechanical keyboard with arrow keys and dedicated navigation cluster in a compact frame, PBT double-shot keycaps, and per-key RGB lighting. Ducky One 3 full · $129 · hot-swap The Ducky One 3 is a wired full-size hot-swap keyboard with Cherry MX switches, thick double-shot PBT keycaps, and Ducky's QUACK Mechanics silicone/EVA dampening for a refined stock sound.

20 keyboards in the database list this as a stock switch.

Which keyboards can use it?

Any hot-swap board with standard MX sockets accepts the Cherry MX Black (5-pin: check that your plate or PCB supports 5-pin, or clip the legs). Use the KeebScout database to shortlist hot-swap boards that fit your budget and size, or browse the keyboard database.

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