Cherry MX Brown

Tactile Cherry

Cherry MX Brown switch
Image courtesy of Cherry

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 Brown specs

Type Tactile
Actuation force 55g
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 muted, papery
Released 1994

Spec fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers rather than guesses.

Unverified: specs compiled from manufacturer listings

Hear the Cherry MX Brown

Cherry MX Brown Sound Test · QwwER · video loads from YouTube only after you press play

Where to buy

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Switches similar to the Cherry MX Brown

Cherry MX2A Brown Tactile The Cherry MX2A Brown updates the classic 55g office tactile with MX2A-generation lubrication and spring geometry for a smoother, quieter bump. Compare: Cherry MX Brown vs Cherry MX2A Brown
Gateron G Pro Brown Tactile The Gateron G Pro Brown is a gentle 55g pre-lubed tactile that gives prebuilt keyboards a soft, unobtrusive bump suitable for offices. Compare: Cherry MX Brown vs Gateron G Pro Brown
Kailh Box Brown Tactile The Kailh Box Brown is a light 45g tactile that wraps a gentle bump in the Box line's dust- and splash-resistant stem design.

Keyboards sold with the Cherry MX Brown

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. Cherry MX 3.0S Wireless full · $150 The Cherry MX 3.0S Wireless is a 109-key full-size gaming keyboard with Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired connectivity, RGB backlighting, and a screwless aluminum housing, offered with Cherry MX Red, Brown, or Blue switches. Cherry MX 8.2 TKL TKL · $160 The Cherry MX 8.2 TKL is Cherry's premium tenkeyless with a full anodized-aluminium frame, genuine Cherry MX switches and vivid RGB, positioned as a durable enthusiast-grade board from the original switch maker rather than a budget office plank. Cherry MX Board 3.0 S full · $110 The Cherry MX Board 3.0 S is a full-size wired board from the company that invented the MX switch, wrapping genuine Cherry MX switches in a slim aluminium-topped case with per-key RGB and a solid non-slip footprint aimed at typists and gamers who want the original switch feel. Cooler Master MK730 TKL · $99 A wired tenkeyless (TKL) mechanical keyboard with soldered Cherry MX switches, an aluminum top frame, and per-key RGB, positioned as an accessible enthusiast board.

54 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 Brown (5-pin: check that your plate or PCB supports 5-pin, or clip the legs). Use the full keyboard database to shortlist hot-swap boards that fit your budget and size, or browse the keyboard database.

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