Keycap Profiles and Materials Explained: All You Need To Know (2024)

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FAQs

Keycap Profiles and Materials Explained: All You Need To Know? ›

Keycap Materials

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What are the different types of keycaps materials? ›

ABS and PBT are the two most common plastic used to make keyboard keycaps. Of the two, ABS is more widely used because it's easier to mold and recycle, but PBT is more durable and wear-resistant. The two keycaps vary in feel, look, and typing sound.

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What are the different keycap profiles? ›

There are a vast number of keycap profiles to choose from. However, in this post, we are going to compare the four main keycap profiles: SA, DSA, OEM, and cherry. Each profile has a different shape, height, and angle.

What do keycaps mean? ›

A keycap is a small cover of plastic, metal, or other material placed over the keyswitch of a computer keyboard. Keycaps are often illustrated to indicate the key function or alphanumeric character they correspond to.

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How do you know what kind of keycaps you have? ›

Each keycap profile encompasses a certain set of shapes. Hold up any mechanical keyboard and look at it from the side, and you'll see that the keycaps either have an identical height and shape or take different forms depending on their rows.

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Is PBT or ABS better? ›

PBT, as compared to ABS, is far more robust, so it both wears more slowly than ABS, and the pattern of wear is more even, so the keycaps stay usable and pretty for longer. Additionally, PBT is more resistant to degradation caused by UV light. UV being the main cause of vibrant keycaps losing their color over time.

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What is an XDA profile? ›

XDA keycaps have a uniform cylindrical shape with a flat top, a comfortable typing experience, and a lower-pitched and muffled typing sound. They have a relatively standard profile and a smooth and consistent feel. 9.1mm. DSA. DSA keycaps feature a uniform cylindrical shape and a sleek and minimalistic aesthetic.

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Which keycap profile is most ergonomic? ›

If you prefer something more sculpted, SA keycaps offer very pronounced ergonomic molding, making them ideal for long typing sessions as they support a natural hand position. XDA keycaps are another excellent option, known for their flat and wide shape, which some people find very comfortable.

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What does OEM mean in keycaps? ›

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and OEM profile keycaps are the standard keycaps that come with most pre-built keyboards. These keycaps have a cylindrical shape with a flat top, and they are uniform in height, providing a consistent typing experience across all keys.

How to tell if keycaps are PBT? ›

PBT keycaps have a rough texture that provides a better grip, and they're resistant to oils and chemicals, so they won't develop a shiny, polished look. However, PBT keycaps are more expensive than ABS keycaps. ABS keycaps are smoother and more affordable than PBT keycaps.

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What does cyl mean in keycaps? ›

Cylindrical - This describes keycap profiles where the top of the keycap where your finger touches is "cutout" of the cap in the shape of a cylinder on its side. The most popular cylindrical profile is Cherry.

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What are MDA keycaps? ›

MDA keycap is wider and more round. This gaming style keycaps is made of durable PBT and the thickness is around 1.5mm. It's compatible with most 61 64 68 75 84 87 96 104 108 Mx mechanical keyboard whose space is 6.25u,namely 4.61 inches.Mechanical keyboard (Not topre)

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What profile keycaps should I get? ›

The best keycap profile depends on your personal preference. If you prioritize speed over all else, you might prefer a low profile, uniform profile. A sculpted profile is a good choice if accuracy and ergonomics are paramount. For the best of both worlds, you might consider a medium-profile keycap with sculpted rows.

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What does "cherry profile" mean? ›

Angled tops: Cherry profile keycaps feature slightly-curved tops (or spherical-shaped). This curve fits the shape of your fingertips naturally, improves key accuracy, and lessens finger strain during extensive typing sessions. Keycap material: Cherry profile keycaps are typically found in both ABS and PBT plastic.

What are rounded keycaps called? ›

Keycaps come in two main categories: cylindrical and spherical. Cylindrical keycaps have a “u” shape across their entire surface and usually have flat, angled sides with straight corners. Spherical keycaps have a rounded concave surface, rounded sides and are often much taller.

What are the different keycaps formats? ›

Types of Keycap Profiles: Quick Comparison

Keycap Type	Height	Keycap Shape
SA	High profile	Angled and concave
OEM	Medium profile	Angled
Cherry	Medium profile	Angled
XDA	Low profile	Concave

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Mar 27, 2022

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What is a PBT keycap? ›

What are PBT Keycaps? PBT keycaps are made from Polybutylene Terephthalate and are known to be one of the strongest and best quality plastics to use to make keycaps. PBT is a thermoplastic engineering polymer that is rigid and can handle a lot of abuse for years.

What are artisan keycaps made of? ›

HOW MANY TYPES OF ARTISAN KEYCAPS ARE THERE? Lancen: Material wise, there are resin, metal, and clay. With the resin being the most popular of all, artisan keycaps are sometimes called “resin keycap” or “resin artisan keycap”.

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What is mechanical vs membrane keycaps? ›

The individual mechanical switches used in mechanical keyboards are designed to endure millions of keystrokes, ensuring long-term reliability. In contrast, membrane keyboards typically have a thinner and more flexible construction, which may make them more prone to wear and tear over time.

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