Switch Colors on Mechanical Keyboard: A Guide

Last Updated on August 1, 2023

Why are Switch Colors different for each type of switch and what is their purpose?

In simple terms, the difference in the color of the switches on a mechanical keyboard will have an impact on the feeling of typing, typing feedback, and the typing sound produced by the keyboard itself.

I’ve used various kinds of mechanical switches with different colors and through this post I will discuss them in detail starting from the types of switches, the switches components, switch colors, and their overall differences.

Let’s get started!

Main Components of Mechanical Switches:

Main Components of Switches	Description
Upper housing	This switch component sits on top of the lower housing and houses the spring. The stem fits into a hole in the center of it; the top and bottom housings click together; a “switch opener” tool is required to separate them. Or, although it’s harder, a flathead screwdriver).
Switch stem	When you press the keycap, this switch component—which is attached to the underside of the keycap—extends down into the switch and slides up and down. Usually, the stem matches the switch’s color in color. For instance, red switches typically have red stems, whereas green switches typically have green stems.
Gold crosspoint	The foundation for the longevity and dependability of a key switch is the gold crosspoint contact, which is present in all switches. Patented triangular cross-contacts perfectly close the electrical circuit and ultimately release the key function when they come together crosswise and at a right angle.
Spring	This is what gives a key resistance and the “bouncing” sensation when you press it down.
Lower housing	the area at the bottom of the switch where all the stems and springs are located.

Metal contacts, referred to as “leaves,” are inside the bottom housing.

When pressed down, the stem makes contact with them, which generates the electrical signal that informs your computer which key was pressed!

Terms in Mechanical Switches

Before starting further, you should know the type of actuation on the mechanical switch first, starting from the Linear, Tactile, and Clicky type switches. And also you should know about terms in mechanical switches such as Actuation Force and Travel Distance. Here is the full explanation:

Types of Mechanical Switches

• Linear: Linear is a type of switch that is known to be smooth, does not provide bumpy feedback and provides linear or flat feedback. The typing sound produced by the lienar switch tends to be smooth and somewhat quiet. This type of switch is perfect for those of you who use your keyboard to play games and want a smooth typing experience.
• Tactile: The tactile type switch is a mechanical switch that provides tactile feedback, namely typing feedback which is slightly bumpy and produces a fairly loud typing sound. This type of switch is very appropriate for typing for everyday purposes because you get a pretty pleasant typing experience.
• Clicky: The clicky switch is a type of switch that produces a very loud typing sound and provides very bumpy typing feedback. Clicky switches generally have better durability because they use wider and harder springs.

Terms in Mechanical Switch

• Actuation Type: This is a term to distinguish feedback on a switch such as Linear, Tactile, and Clicky type switches.
• Actuation Force: Is a term how much power or weight is needed to press the switch in order to give instructions to the PCB to be input in the computer.
• Travel Distance: Is the maximum distance required by the switch from the stem that is pressed to touch the very bottom of the switch component that is connected to the PCB to give instructions to the PCB to become input to the computer. The less Travel Distance, the more responsive a mechanical switch is.
• Lifespan: Before failing, a switch can withstand one millions of keystrokes. Mechanical switches are incredibly resilient. Mechanical switches typically have a lifespan of 50 million to 100 million keystrokes.
• MX Style “Switches”: Cherry MX was the first maker of mechanical switches, Gateron, Kailh, Outemu were manufacturers who cloned their mechanical switches with the same design. So, Gateron Red, Kailh Red, and Outemu Red are MX Style switches.

Switch Colors By Type

The following are some of the most commonly found switch colors based on their type:

Switch Type	Common Colors	Feel	Noise Level	Used for
Linear	Red Black Yellow	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet	Mostly used for gaming
Tactile	Brown Clear	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium	Great for Typing
Clicky	Blue Green	Audible Click and Tactile Bump	Loud	Great for Typing

Non Standard Switch Colors on Linear Switches

The Switches	Type	Color	Feel	Noise Level
Gateron Pro Silver	Linear	Silver	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet
Gateron White	Linear	White	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet
Cherry MX Speed Silver	Linear	Silver	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet
Kailh Speed Silver	Linear	Silver	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet
Kailh BOX Silent Pink	Linear	Pink	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Silent
Kailh Pro Burgundy	Linear	Burgundy	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet
Akko Matcha Green	Linear	Matcha Green	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet
Akko Pink	Linear	Pink	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet
Akko Vintage White	Linear	White	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet
Akko Rose Red	Linear	Rose Red	Smooth, no bump, and no click	Quiet

Non Standard Switch Colors on Tactile Switches

The Switches	Type	Color	Feel	Noise Level
Outemu BOX Purple Switch	Tactile	Purple	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium
Outemu Silent Gray	Tactile	Gray	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium
Kailh Speed Gold	Tactile	Gold	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium
Kailh Pro Purple	Tactile	Purple	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium
Kailh Blueberry	Tactile	Blueberry	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium
Kailh BOX Burnt Orange	Tactile	Orange	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium
Akko Orange	Tactile	Orange	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium
Akko Lavender Purple	Tactile	Purple	Has tactile bump and No Click	Medium

Non Standard Switch Colors on Clicky Switches

The Switches	Type	Color	Feel	Noise Level
Kailh Speed Bronze	Clicky	Bronze	Audible Click and Tactile Bump	Loud
Kailh BOX White	Clicky	White	Audible Click and Tactile Bump	Loud
Kailh BOX Navy	Clicky	Navy	Audible Click and Tactile Bump	Loud
Kailh ML Choc White	Clicky	White	Audible Click and Tactile Bump	Loud

Switch Colors By Brand

The following are the color switch colors from different manufacturers such as:

• Cherry MX
• Gateron
• Kailh
• Outemu
• Akko
• Drop
• Glorious
• Alps
• Tecsee
• Topre
• Razer
• Logitech

Cherry MX Switch Colors

Cherry MX is a German producer that creates high-quality mechanical switches. Cherry MX’s switch products have passed numerous European standard testing procedures, giving them the best quality and outstanding endurance. Many people are also aware of the Cherry MX Switch as one of the premium mechanical switches with a lifespan of up to 100 million keystrokes.

The following are the Cherry MX switch colors:

The Switches	Type	Color	Feel	Sound	Best for
Cherry MX Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Cherry MX Silent Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	VERY quiet	Gaming And Typing with Quiet Switch
Cherry MX Black	Linear	Black	Heavy and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Cherry MX Silent Black	Linear	Black	Heavy and Smooth	VERY quiet	Gaming And Typing with Quiet Switch
Cherry MX Speed Silver	Linear	Gray/Silver	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Cherry MX Brown	Tactile	Brown	Medium & Tactile	Medium	Gaming & typing
Cherry MX Clear	Tactile	Clear	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Gaming & typing
Cherry MX Blue	Clicky	Blue	Medium & Tactile	Louder	Gaming & typing but with high level noise

Gateron Switch Colors

Gateron is a copy of popular Cherry MX switches like the Kailh and Otemu Siwtch that are still sold today. You will discover that the mechanical keyboards that are readily available use switches made by Gateron when you purchase one for a moderate to low price. Gateron Brown, Gateron Red, and Gateron Blue are the most often utilized colors.

The following are the Gateron switch colors:

The Switches	Type	Color	Feel	Sound	Best for
Gateron Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	VERY quiet	Gaming And Typing with Quiet Switch
Gateron Yellow	Linear	Yellow	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Black	Linear	Black	Heavy and Smooth	VERY quiet	Gaming And Typing with Quiet Switch
Gateron Pro Silver	Linear	Gray/Silver	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Brown	Tactile	Brown	Medium & Tactile	Medium	Gaming & typing
Gateron Clear	Tactile	Clear	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Gaming & typing
Gateron Blue	Clicky	Blue	Medium & Tactile	Louder	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Gateron Green	Clicky	Green	Medium & Tactile	Louder	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Gateron Silent Clear	Linear	Clear	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Yellow	Linear	Yellow	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Black	Linear	Black	Light and Smooth	Very Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Brown	Tactile	Brown	Heavy & Tactile	Medium Noise	Typing
Gateron Milk Clear	Linear	Clear	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Milk Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Milk Yellow	Linear	Yellow	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Milk Black	Linear	Black	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Milk Blue	Clicky	Blue	Medium & Tactile	Louder	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Gateron Milk Green	Clicky	Green	Medium & Tactile	Louder	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Gateron Milk Brown	Tactile	Brown	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Gateron Smokey Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Smokey Yellow	Linear	Yellow	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Smokey Black	Linear	Black	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Smokey Blue	Clicky	Blue	Medium & Tactile	Louder	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Gateron Silent Smokey Black	Linear	Black	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Clear	Linear	Clear	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Yellow	Linear	Yellow	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Black	Linear	Black	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Gateron Silent Brown	Tactile	Brown	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing

Kailh Switch Colors

Kaihua Electronics, a Chinese semiconductor company that has been in business since 1990, makes the Kailh/Kaihua Switch. After copying Cherry at first, Kaihua eventually developed its own switch models and only worked with keyboard makers.

The following are the Kailh switch colors:

The Switches	Type	Color	Feel	Sound	Best for
Kailh Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Kailh BOX Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Kailh Black	Linear	Black	Heavy and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Kailh Speed Silver	Linear	Gray/Silver	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Kailh BOX Dark Yellow	Linear	Yellow	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Kailh BOX Black	Linear	Black	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Kailh BOX Silent Pink	Linear	Pink	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Kailh Pro Burgundy	Linear	Burgundy	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Kailh Brown	Tactile	Brown	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Kailh Speed Copper	Tactile	Brown	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Kailh Speed Gold	Tactile	Gold	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Kailh BOX Burnt Orange	Tactile	Orange	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Kailh BOX Silent Brown	Tactile	Brown	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Kailh Pro Purple	Tactile	Purple	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Kailh Speed Bronze	Clicky	Bronze	Medium & Tactile	Loud	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Kailh BOX White	Clicky	White	Medium & Tactile	Loud	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Kailh BOX Navy	Clicky	Navy	Medium & Tactile	Loud	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Kailh BOX Jade	Clicky	Green	Medium & Tactile	Loud	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Kailh BOX Pale Blue	Clicky	Blue	Medium & Tactile	Loud	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Kailh Pro Light Green	Clicky	Green	Medium & Tactile	Loud	Gaming & typing but with high level noise

Outemu Switch Colors

A well-known Chinese semiconductor manufacturer, Gaote Corp., manufactures switches under the name Outemu. The Outemu strongly borrows from the features and design of the Cherry MX, much like Kailh and Gateron do.

The following are the Outemu switch colors:

The Switches	Type	Color	Feel	Sound	Best for
Outemu Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Outemu BOX Red	Linear	Red	Light and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Outemu Black	Linear	Black	Heavy and Smooth	Quiet	Gaming
Outemu BOX Black	Linear	Black	Heavy and Smooth		Gaming
Outemu Silent Yellow	Linear	Yellow	Heavy and Smooth	VERY quiet	Gaming
Outemu Brown	Tactile	Brown	Medium & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Outemu BOX Brown	Tactile	Brown	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Outemu Silent Forest/Silent Sky	Tactile	White	Heavy & Tactile	VERY quiet	Typing
Outemu BOX Purple	Tactile	Purple	Heavy & Tactile	Medium	Typing
Outemu Silent Gray	Tactile	Gray	Heavy & Tactile	VERY quiet	Typing
Outemu Blue	Clicky	Blue	Medium & Tactile	Louder	Gaming & typing but with high level noise
Outemu BOX Blue	Clicky	Blue	Medium & Tactile	Louder	Gaming & typing but with high level noise

Akko Switch Colors

Akko is an affordable switch product that brings unique colors to their switch products. Besides being unique, they also sell switches at very affordable prices.

The following are the Akko switch colors:

Razer Switch Colors

In the gaming world, Razer is well-known for its wide range of products, including gaming mice, eGPUs, Gaming Laptops, Gaming Headset, Gaming Earphone, Gaming Mic, And also Razer mechanical keyboards.

These keyboards frequently have the exclusive Razer switches such as:

• Razer Red (Linear): Light and Quiet
• Razer Yellow( Linear) : Light and Smoot
• Razer Green (Clicky): Heavy and clicky
• Razer Orange (Tactile) : Medium Tactile

The Gateron and Kailh switches will feel extremely similar to the Razer switches (in fact, the same company that makes Kailh switches, Kaihua, is also a manufacturer for Razer switches).

Switch colors from other brands

These days, a number of other companies are introducing mechanical switches.

I won’t include every switch because it would take forever, but here are some of the more popular ones among mechanical keyboard users:

The Switches	Type	Color	Feel	Sound
NovelKeys Cream	Linear	White	Medium	“NK Creams” are sought-after and so uncommon.
Alpacas	Linear	Pink	Medium – Heavy	I don’t know who makes them, but they are well-liked
Tecsee Carrot	Linear	Bluesky	Medium	Cheap but very delicious!
Zeal Tealios V2	Linear	Green	Medium	Super fluid (supposedly, too expensive for my taste)
Drop Invyr Holy Panda	Tactile	Creamy Orange	Medium	a very well-liked but pricey tactile switch
Drop Halo Clear	Tactile	Clear	Heavy	outstanding for typists in general. additionally more costly
Drop Halo True	Tactile	Creamy Orange	Medium	The Amazing tactile switch
Glorious Panda	Tactile	Yellow	Medium	A less costly version of the HOLY pandas!

Holy Panda Switches

We’ve also made a full post for the Holy Panda Switches guide. Holy Panda is also available in a variety of color choices that you may never find before. You can find them in Our Holy Panda Switches Guide.

How to Make Mechanical Keyboard Switches Feel and Look Better

Regardless of color or style, each mechanical keyboard switch may be made to look and feel better. Here are a few well-liked techniques:

Lube The Switches

This is a quick method to improve the smoothness of your keyboard (and sometimes quieter).

The procedure often entails:

• Taking off your keycaps.
• Removing your switches (if your keyboard is hot-swappable, you can just pull them out; if it’s not, you’ll need to take the keyboard apart and desolder the switches; it’s a pain!).
• Disassemble each switch.
• Apply a very small amount of lubricant to the housing, spring, and stem.
• Put the switch back together and in.

To view our comprehensive guide to lubricating your keyboard switches without desoldering them, click here.

Filming The switches

“Switch films” are flimsy plastic pieces that you sandwich between the upper and lower housing of your switch.

They mostly address “wobble” as a problem. For example, if your switch rattles a little bit when you press it because it doesn’t fit together very tightly.

Even though not all switches require filming, those that DO will experience a significant improvement in feel and sound!

Mechanical Switch Colors FAQs

Are Switch Colors Matter?

You might need to press a key with more or less effort depending on the hue. The distinction between linear, tactile, and clicky switches is also crucial.

What do the various switch colors indicate?

The type of switch (linear, tactile, or clicky), and consequently the sound and feel of the switch, are typically indicated by the color of the switch. There are many different switch colors, but red (linear switches), brown (tactile switches), and blue are the most popular ones (clicky switches).

Which Switch Colors are the best?

Different people have different tastes! However, tactile switches (browns) and clicky switches (blue, green) are more common for typing or regular computer use, but linear switches (red, black) are typically favored for gaming!

You should also think about how loud it is. If you’re in an office, you might want to use tactile switches like browns rather than clicky switches like blues and greens.

What is the best switch color for gaming?

This is totally arbitrary! However, due to their reduced noise and quick actuation force, linear switches (such the Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Silver, or Cherry MX Black) are typically preferred for use in gaming.

What is the best switch color for typing?

The best switches for typing are typically considered to be tactile switches, such as Cherry MX brown, Gateron brown, Kailh BOX brown, and Outemu brown. These switches produce a significant bump when you approach the actuation point. This improves accuracy and allows you to text without glancing at your keyboard.