The Guide to Keycaps: Materials, Profiles, and More

Keyboard enthusiasts understand that keycaps are far more than just plastic buttons—they're a critical component that affects typing feel, sound, durability, and aesthetics. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the world of keycaps to help you customize your typing experience.

 Keycap Materials

 ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Characteristics:

• Most common and affordable material
• Smoother surface texture
• Prone to developing shine over time from finger oils
• Typically thinner walls than PBT
• Often used for backlit keycaps due to translucent properties

Notable Examples: Stock keycaps on many pre-built keyboards, GMK keycaps

 PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)
Characteristics:

• More durable than ABS
• Textured surface that resists shine
• Thicker walls resulting in deeper sound profile
• More difficult to manufacture, especially for complex designs
• Less prone to yellowing over time

Notable Examples: Ducky, Leopold, and many aftermarket keycap sets

 POM (Polyoxymethylene)
Characteristics:

• Slick, smooth surface
• Often used for linear typing feel
• Quieter sound signature
• Durable with minimal shine development
• Limited color options (typically black or white)

Notable Examples: HHKB Professional Type-S keycaps

 PC (Polycarbonate)
Characteristics:

• Highly translucent
• Ideal for RGB backlighting
• Durable but prone to scratches
• Often used for spacebar or accent keys

 Metal Keycaps
Characteristics:

• Premium feel and weight
• Excellent durability
• Unique sound profile (often louder)
• Usually zinc or aluminum alloys
• Often used as artisan or accent keys

 Resin/Artisan Keycaps
Characteristics:

• Hand-crafted designs
• Wide variety of creative expressions
• Used as accent pieces or collector's items
• Can be highly valuable in the keyboard community
• Often made through resin casting processes

Ceramic
Characteristics:

• Durable
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 Keycap Profiles

 OEM Profile
Characteristics:

• The most common profile on mainstream keyboards
• Sculpted (different heights per row)
• Moderate height
• Slightly curved top surface

 Cherry Profile
Characteristics:

• Lower profile than OEM
• Sculpted design
• Popular among enthusiasts
• Comfortable for extended typing
• Iconic profile used by GMK keycaps

 SA Profile (Spherical All)
Characteristics:

• Very tall profile
• Spherical top surface
• Vintage look reminiscent of older terminals
• Deep, thocky sound signature
• Sculpted with varying heights per row

 DSA Profile (Spherical All Uniform)
Characteristics:

• Uniform height across all rows
• Spherical top surface
• Medium-low height
• Easy to rearrange for alternative layouts
• Works well with ortholinear keyboards

 KAT/KAM Profile
Characteristics:

• Medium height between Cherry and SA
• Spherical top surface
• KAT is sculpted, KAM is uniform
• Wider top surface than many other profiles

 MT3 Profile
Characteristics:

• Deep dish spherical tops
• Tall, sculpted design
• Inspired by IBM Model M keyboards
• Pronounced finger positioning
• Strong retro aesthetic

 XDA Profile
Characteristics:

• Uniform height
• Slightly spherical top surface
• Medium height
• Wider top surface than DSA
• Compatible with multiple keyboard layouts

 Manufacturing Methods

 Double-Shot Molding

• Two layers of plastic molded together
• Legends will never fade or wear off
• Allows for contrasting colors
• More expensive manufacturing process
• Higher quality but limited color options

 Dye-Sublimation

• Dye is heat-transferred into the plastic
• Legends won't fade with normal use
• Works best on lighter colored keycaps
• Cannot produce lighter legends on darker keycaps
• Allows for detailed designs and legends

 Laser Etching/Engraving

• Legends are etched into the keycap surface
• Can be filled with paint for contrast
• More affordable than double-shot
• May wear down over time
• Works on any color keycap

 UV Printing

• Legends printed on keycap surface
• Inexpensive manufacturing method
• Allows for colorful, detailed designs
• Least durable—can wear away with use
• Often found on budget keyboards

 Blank Keycaps

• No legends at all
• Clean aesthetic
• Popular with touch typists
• Won't show wear on legends

 Keycap Mounting Systems

 Cherry MX

• Cross-shaped stem (+)
• Most common and universal
• Compatible with Cherry MX switches and clones
• Wide variety of keycap options available

 Topre

• Circular stem with central protrusion
• Used exclusively on Topre switch keyboards
• Limited keycap options compared to Cherry MX
• Adapters available for using MX keycaps

 Alps

• Rectangle-shaped stem
• Found on vintage keyboards
• Limited modern keycap options
• Incompatible with Cherry MX keycaps

 Rome-G/Logitech

• Proprietary stem design
• Used on Logitech mechanical keyboards
• Very limited aftermarket keycap options

 Specialty Keycaps

 Pudding Keycaps

• Translucent sides with solid tops
• Enhanced RGB lighting effect
• Usually made from ABS plastic
• Affordable customization option

 Backlit/Shine-Through

• Translucent legends for backlighting
• Usually ABS due to better light transmission
• Available in various colors and designs
• Sometimes dual-layer for better light control

 ISO vs. ANSI Layouts

• Different enter key shapes and sizes
• Varied modifier key sizes
• Regional differences in keyboard layouts
• Important to check compatibility when buying

 Artisan Keycaps

• Hand-crafted unique designs
• Collectible items in keyboard community
• Often limited production runs
• Can range from affordable to extremely expensive
• Used as accent pieces or escape keys

 Maintaining Your Keycaps

 Cleaning Methods

• Denture tablets for deep cleaning
• Warm water with mild soap for regular cleaning
• Ultrasonic cleaners for enthusiasts
• Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage plastics
• Fully dry before reinstalling

 Preventing Shine

• Wash hands before typing
• Regular cleaning
• Consider PBT keycaps for long-term use
• Rotate keycaps periodically if possible

 Choosing the Right Keycaps

 Considerations:

1. Compatibility - Ensure they match your keyboard's switch type
2. Profile - Select based on typing comfort and aesthetic preference
3. Material - Choose based on durability, feel, and sound preferences
4. Legends - Consider visibility, lighting needs, and durability
5. Thickness - Thicker keycaps generally provide better sound and feel
6. Budget - Quality keycaps range from $20 to $200+ depending on materials and manufacturing

With the right keycaps, you can transform both the look and feel of your keyboard while expressing your personal style. Whether you're a casual user or a dedicated enthusiast, the world of keycaps offers endless possibilities for customization.

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