Cherry MX Red
Linear Cherry
The Cherry MX Red is the industry's reference 45g linear, the default gaming switch in countless prebuilt keyboards since its 2008 reintroduction.
Cherry MX Red specs
| Type | Linear |
|---|---|
| Actuation force | 45g |
| 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 | neutral, slightly scratchy |
| Released | 2008 |
Spec fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers rather than guesses.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 Red
Where to buy
- View at Amazon · around $0.35 per switch
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Switches similar to the Cherry MX Red
Cherry MX2A Red Linear The Cherry MX2A Red is the 2023 overhaul of the MX Red with factory lube, a barrel spring, and polished rails that finally address the scratchiness of the original. Compare: Cherry MX Red vs Cherry MX2A Red · popular
Keyboards sold with the Cherry MX Red
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. Corsair K65 RGB Mini 60% · $109 Compact 60 percent wired gaming keyboard with soldered Cherry MX switches, per-key RGB lighting, and a durable aluminum frame built for travel and small desk setups.
51 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 Red (5-pin: check that your plate or PCB supports 5-pin, or clip the legs). Use KeebScout finder to shortlist hot-swap boards that fit your budget and size, or browse the keyboard database.