Decoder

Red, brown or blue? Mechanical keyboard switches and sizes decoded

What linear, tactile and clicky switches feel like, what 75% and TKL mean, and how to read a keyboard listing.

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Decoder
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Switch colour tells you how a key feels. Red switches are smooth and quiet, brown switches have a small bump you can feel, and blue switches add a loud click. For gaming, most people choose red. For typing and mixed use, brown is the safe choice. Blue is satisfying to type on but too loud for a shared room.

Mechanical keyboards are sold with a vocabulary of their own: linear, tactile, hot-swappable, TKL, 75%. Once you know what the terms mean, choosing one becomes simple. This guide decodes the switches first, then the sizes, then the rest of a typical listing.

The three kinds of switch

LinearSmooth from top to bottom, with no bump. Usually red, yellow or black.
TactileA small bump you can feel when the key registers. Usually brown.
ClickyA bump plus an audible click. Usually blue.
Switch Feel Sound Good for
Linear (red) Smooth and light Quiet Gaming and fast, repeated key presses
Tactile (brown) A gentle bump Moderate Typing, programming and mixed use
Clicky (blue) A sharp bump Loud Typing alone, if you enjoy the click

Colours are a convention and not a strict standard. Each switch maker has its own range, so check the listing for the words linear, tactile or clicky.

Keyboard sizes

The percentage in a keyboard's name describes how many keys it has compared with a full-size board.

Size What it has Good for
100% (full size) Everything, including the number pad Spreadsheets, accounting and data entry
TKL (80%) No number pad. Arrow and navigation keys remain Gaming and general use, with more room for the mouse
75% The TKL keys packed closer together Small desks, without giving up the function row
65% No function row. Arrow keys remain Compact setups and travel
60% Letters and numbers only. Other keys through shortcuts Minimal desks, if you are comfortable with shortcuts

Decoding the rest of the listing

Term What it means
Hot-swappable Switches pull out and push in without soldering, so you can change them later.
Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz How it connects. A 2.4GHz USB receiver gives the most responsive wireless link for gaming.
Tri-mode All three connection types on one keyboard.
RGB Backlighting in any colour. A single-colour backlight is listed by its colour instead.
PBT and ABS keycaps The plastic the keys are made from. PBT resists shine and wear for longer.
Low profile Shorter switches and keys, closer to a laptop keyboard.
Mac and Windows layout Includes the right keys, or spare keycaps, for both systems.
Membrane Not mechanical. A rubber layer under the keys. Quieter and cheaper.

Mechanical or membrane?

Mechanical

Each key has its own switch.

  • A more precise, consistent feel
  • Built to last, and individual keys can be repaired
  • Louder and usually costs more

Membrane

Keys press on a shared rubber layer.

  • Quiet and inexpensive
  • Fine for everyday office use
  • A softer feel that wears with age

Think about who else is in the room. Clicky switches carry across an open office and through a microphone on calls.

Before you order: a quick checklist

  • The switch type suits how I use it: linear, tactile or clicky
  • The size has the keys I need, such as a number pad
  • The connection suits my setup: wired, Bluetooth or 2.4GHz
  • The layout matches my computer: Windows or Mac
  • If I want to change switches later, it is hot-swappable

See the full keyboards and mice range, or go straight to keyboards.

Frequently asked questions

Which keyboard switch is best for gaming?

Most gamers choose linear switches, usually red, because they are smooth and quick to press repeatedly. It comes down to preference, and many people game happily on tactile switches.

Which switch is best for typing?

Tactile switches, usually brown, are the common choice because the bump tells you the key has registered. Clicky switches give the same feedback with more noise.

What does TKL mean?

TKL stands for tenkeyless. It is a keyboard without the number pad, which leaves more room for the mouse.

What does hot-swappable mean?

The switches can be pulled out and replaced by hand, without soldering. It lets you change how the keyboard feels or replace a faulty switch.

Are mechanical keyboards better than membrane keyboards?

They last longer and feel more precise, but they are louder and cost more. For light everyday use a membrane keyboard is perfectly adequate.

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