Keyboard Switch Types: Linear vs Tactile vs Clicky

As mechanical keyboards have grown from a niche nerd hobby to an almost essential part of a PC gaming setup, the variety of key switch types has also grown. This means that there are more people trying to get into mechanical keyboard hobby than ever and seeing as CORSAIR is one of the most popular purveyors of mechanical keyboards, we thought we’d spare a moment to clear some things up.

So, Linear, vs Tactile, vs Clicky - what's the difference and which option should you go for?

For the sake of clarity, today we’re not concerned with how the different types of switch work. The technical and engineering differences between optical, magnetic, and traditional switches are topics for another day.

Instead, today we’ll talk about the three main keyswitch types: Linear, Tactile, and Clicky. These adjectives refer to the physical (and audible in the case of Clicky) feedback of the switches. Given that Tactile and Clicky switches are derived from Linear, we’ll start there.

Linear switches are so named due to their smooth and consistent travel. The feeling you get from pressing a linear switch is the same all the way down the keystroke until you bottom out. The force needed to push the switch remains unchanged and there are no other features like sound or the tactile bump that characterizes the other two switches.

Examples of linear switches include our OPX switches, MGX switches, and of course the venerable and seminal Cherry MX Red. If you have no idea what switch is in your mechanical keyboard, it’s probably linear, as it’s the most popular switch type. Additionally, even if you’re using a membrane keyboard as opposed to mechanical, membrane switches are categorized as linear as they have the same lack of tactile or audible feedback.

When it comes to ideal applications for linear switches, they work well in everything, not getting in the way of gaming, working, or general computing. However, the problem with making something that works for everything, is that it’ll never be perfect for anything. Which leads us to the next key switch type: Tactile.

Tactile switches differ from linear switches in that there is a noticeable “bump” in the keystroke. This bump is most commonly at the actuation point, which is typically around halfway down, but it can be anywhere. The most commonly known tactile switch is the Cherry MX Brown.

The bump happens because you get to a point during the keystroke that requires a tiny bit of additional force to overcome, and once you overcome it the rest of the keystroke is normal. This bump helps to add a little bit of additional feedback. Many people, including the guy writing this article, find the bump to be satisfying. Additionally, if the bump is at the actuation point, you know exactly when the keystroke is registered. Those who type a lot can use this to train themselves to stop bottoming out for a far gentler typing experience.

So, we finally have some physical feedback, but what about an audible cue? For this we must talk about Clicky switches, a cardinal sin for office workers, but a popular choice, nonetheless.

Clicky switches are functionally similar to tactile switches, with the same bump partway down the keystroke. Unlike the tactiles switches however, when you overcome this bump, there’s a click noise, and this noise is distinct from the normal sound of a switch.

This is because there’s something physical happening inside that switch. There’s a piece of plastic inside the switch that is normally attached to the cross-shaped piece you can see when removing keycaps. In clicky switches, this piece can move, so when you overcome that tactile bump we mentioned, it suddenly slaps down into the bottom of the housing. This is what creates the click you love or hate so much. The Cherry MX Blue is the best-known variant of clicky switches.

Additionally, those who play a lot of multiplayer games, frequently utilizing Discord or good ole’ TeamSpeak, might find themselves public enemy number one. Unfortunately. The clicks can sometimes sneak past the noise cancellation of gaming headset mics, thereby making you the most annoying person on the server.

Interestingly, as the popularity of custom keyboards has increased, clicky switches seem to be falling out of favor. These days, the quintessential “mechanical keyboard noise” isn’t the only preferable characteristic, with the feeling of the switches becoming more of a priority.

One of the ways people improve the feeling is by lubricating the switches. This creates a problem as lubricating clicky switches enough to create the desired feeling will adversely affect the sound, which is the main reason to get a clicky switch in the first place.

Ok, so now you've received a brief intro to the three main types of mechanical keyboard switches. Now let's directly compare them, head to head to head.

We now know what each switch is like individually, but in order to really get knowledgeable, we need context. A table will follow so you can see the main differences at a glance, then we'll elucidate a bit more for some additional depth.

Table Key:

• Feel: This describes the physical sensation of the switch when pressed
• Sound: There are thousands of key switches out there, so this will refer to the typical sound of the switch type in question.
• Weight: This is a rough description of how hard a typical example of the switch is to press. (There will be some switches out there that may not follow this convention)
• Best Application: The ideal use case for the switch.
• Price: Switches vary wildly in terms of price, but there is a typical hierarchy to expect here.

Linear and tactile switches are the most popular types, so for the majority out there, the choice will be between these two. You need to think about what you think you'd prefer and what you use your keyboard for.

Linear switches are usually very light, i.e. easy to press. This makes them very quick, which in turn makes them the best for gaming as it effectively decreases your reaction time. However, they can feel a bit "boring" due to the lack of feedback until you bottom out and slam into the frame of the keyboard.

Tactile switches, by comparison can feel way nicer for typing. The bump is a nice sensation and it typically occurs at the actuation point (This is the point during the keystroke at which the computer registers the keystroke.) This bump, by the way, requires a little bit of additional force to overcome, meaning that the total travel is not consistent. Some find this annoying, but others consider it all-but essential. Tactile switches are not as suited to gaming as linear switches are, however, unless you're playing at the absolute highest level, your choice of switch will have no measurable impact on your performance.

This comparison is a little less-nuanced. Where tactile and linear switches have basically identical audio signatures, the clicky key switch can be very loud.

We mentioned how the moving slider creates the noise further back up the page, but it's worth mentioning that this noise can vary a lot in terms of volume. The slider slams down to create the noise when the bump is overcome, but the larger the magnitude of that bump, the harder that slider will flick downwards.

This means that the sound can be so subtle that it's almost indistinguishable from the normal sound created when the switch bottoms out. On the other end, however, it can be loud. really loud. Loud enough even to create an enduring misconception that all mechanical keyboard enjoyers are obnoxious and unbearable to work nearby.

So if linear switches are out of the picture, and you're trying to decide between tactile and clicky, know that the physical sensation is basically identical, so really you just need to think about whether you want the clicky sound or not. It bears repeating that those looking to open up their switches for lubrication should be aware that it's far more difficult to lubricate a clicky switch. You have to be extremely careful or you run the risk of affecting the sound.

Linear and Clicky switches are a bit weird to compare because they are the furthest away from each other in both feel and sound. Linear gives you the most unintrusive experience being silent to the ears and smooth to the fingertips, whereas clicky switches, as you'll now know, give you big feedback in terms of audio and tactility.

If you've found yourself torn between these two, then we're going to re-iterate that you should avoid clicky switches if you work in close proximity to others. Additionally, if you frequently use Discord or even the OG Teamspeak to play games with others, then you really should consider linear switches. Clickies can often be heard via your mic, and aren't quite as quick when it comes to competitive gaming. Realistically, it won't make much difference, but it's worth noting regardless.

Essentially, it’s up to you. Unless you’re gaming at a truly competitive level, in which case light, linear switches are definitely the way to go. For those who just play games normally, mixed with work and general computer use, whichever switch you prefer will do. Again, though, be wary of the clicky ones, lest you get banned from the Discord server.

It's worth mentioning here, too, that if you're unsure which switch you'll like, or perhaps want to try some without having to buy a new keyboard, get a hot-swap keyboard, like the CORSAIR K70 PRO MINI WIRELESS. These types of keyboards will allow you to change the switches whenever you want.