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Keyboard Terminology Glossary

6 min read

Keyboard Terminology Glossary

Navigate the mechanical keyboard world with confidence. From switches to stabilizers to enthusiast jargon.

Switch Terms

Actuation Force The amount of force (measured in grams) required to register a keypress.

Actuation Point The distance a key must travel before the switch registers the keypress (typically 2mm).

Bottom-Out Pressing a key all the way down until it hits the bottom (4mm total travel typically).

Cherry MX German company that invented modern mechanical switches in the 1980s. Industry standard.

Clicky Switch type with tactile bump AND audible click sound (Cherry MX Blue, Kailh Box Jade).

Hot-Swap Keyboard that allows switch removal/installation without soldering.

Linear Switch type with smooth, consistent force throughout keypress (Cherry MX Red, Gateron Yellow).

Stem The cross-shaped part of the switch that connects to the keycap.

Switch Housing The plastic casing that holds the switch components.

Tactile Switch type with noticeable bump at actuation point (Cherry MX Brown, Boba U4T).

Travel Distance Total distance a key can move (typically 4mm for mechanical switches).

Keyboard Layouts & Sizes

40% Tiny keyboard layout with 40-48 keys. Requires heavy use of layers.

60% Compact layout with 61 keys. No arrows, no F-row (on layers).

65% Compact layout with arrows and some nav keys (~68 keys). No F-row.

75% Compressed TKL layout (~84 keys). All keys but numpad, tight spacing.

ANSI American National Standards Institute layout. Standard US keyboard layout.

Full-Size (100%) Traditional keyboard with all 104 keys including numpad.

ISO International keyboard layout (used in EU). Different Enter key and extra key left of Z.

Layout The arrangement and number of keys on a keyboard.

TKL (TenKeyLess) Full-size keyboard minus the numpad (87 keys).

Keycap Terms

ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. Smooth plastic that develops shine from use.

Artisan Hand-crafted, often resin-cast keycaps. Usually decorative, collectible.

Cherry Profile Low-height keycap profile with sculpted rows. Most popular profile.

Double-Shot Manufacturing process where two plastics molded together for legends that never fade.

Dye-Sublimation (Dye-Sub) Process where dye absorbed into keycap. Works on PBT, durable legends.

GMK German keycap manufacturer. Premium ABS double-shot Cherry profile sets.

Keycap Profile The shape and height of keycaps (Cherry, SA, OEM, DSA, etc.).

Legend The letter/symbol printed/molded on the keycap.

OEM Profile Medium-height sculpted profile. Standard on most prebuilt keyboards.

PBT Polybutylene Terephthalate. Textured plastic that resists shine. More durable than ABS.

SA Profile Tall, retro-styled keycap profile with spherical tops.

Sculpted Keycap profile where different rows have different heights/angles.

Shine Glossy wear that develops on ABS keycaps from finger oils.

Uniform Profile All keycaps same height (DSA, XDA). Can rearrange keys freely.

Build Components

Case The outer housing of the keyboard.

Gasket Mount Premium mounting style where PCB sits on gaskets for softer, bouncier typing feel.

PCB (Printed Circuit Board) The electronic board that registers keypresses.

Plate Metal or plastic layer between switches and PCB. Provides rigidity.

Stabilizer (Stab) Mechanism that stabilizes large keys (spacebar, shift, enter) to prevent wobble.

Tray Mount Budget mounting style where PCB screws directly into case bottom.

Build Techniques & Mods

Band-Aid Mod Placing bandaid under stabilizers to reduce rattle and ticking.

Clip Removing extra plastic from stabilizer housing to reduce rattle.

Desoldering Removing solder to extract components (switches) from PCB.

Filming Adding thin plastic films between switch housings to reduce wobble.

Flash/Flashing Installing firmware onto keyboard’s PCB.

Holee Mod Specific stabilizer lubing technique to eliminate rattle.

Lube/Lubing Applying lubricant to switch components for smoother feel and quieter sound.

Soldering Using heat and solder to permanently attach switches to PCB.

Spring Swap Replacing switch springs with different weights or types.

Tape Mod Adding tape to back of PCB for deeper, “poppier” sound.

Firmware & Software

Bootloader Special mode that allows firmware flashing.

Layer Alternative key mapping activated by holding a key (Fn).

Macro Programmed sequence of keypresses executed with single key.

QMK Open-source keyboard firmware. Highly customizable.

VIA Graphical software for programming QMK keyboards without reflashing.

Sound & Feel Descriptors

Clacky Higher-pitched, sharp sound. Typically from hard materials (aluminum plate).

Creamy Smooth, buttery typing feel (usually from well-lubed linears).

Mushy Soft, unclear tactile feedback (usually bad).

Pingy Metallic spring noise from switch (fixable with lube).

Poppy Sharp, percussive sound with good acoustics.

Scratchy Rough, gritty switch feel (needs lube or better switches).

Thocky Deep, muted, satisfying sound. Highly desired.

Smooth Switch with minimal friction (from factory or lubing).

Typing Terms

Ghosting Keyboard incorrectly registers keys you didn’t press.

Key Chattering Key registers multiple times from single press (switch failure or debris).

Key Rollover Number of simultaneous keypresses keyboard can register.

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) Keyboard can register unlimited simultaneous keypresses.

Typing Angle The angle of keyboard from desk surface (flat, 5°, 7°, etc.).

WPM (Words Per Minute) Typing speed measurement.

Community Terms

Barebones Kit Keyboard kit with case/PCB but no switches/keycaps.

Endgame Your ultimate, perfect keyboard (spoiler: it doesn’t exist, you’ll build more).

GB (Group Buy) Pre-order campaign for keyboard products. Often 6-18 month wait for delivery.

IC (Interest Check) Survey to gauge community interest in potential keyboard product.

In-Stock Product available for immediate purchase (vs. group buy).

Microbrand Small, independent keyboard company.

Stabs/Stabilizers Shortened term for stabilizers.

Thock The sound enthusiasts chase (deep, muted, satisfying).

Strap Monster Keyboard that looks good with many different keycap sets.

Abbreviations

ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (keycap plastic) GB: Group Buy GMK: German manufacturer (keycaps) IC: Interest Check MX: Cherry MX (switch standard) NKRO: N-Key Rollover OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer (also keycap profile) PBT: Polybutylene Terephthalate (keycap plastic) PCB: Printed Circuit Board QMK: Quantum Mechanical Keyboard (firmware) RGB: Red Green Blue (lighting) SA: Spherical All (keycap profile) TKL: TenKeyLess (80% layout) VIA: Visual keyboard configurator software WPM: Words Per Minute

Switch Brands (Quick Reference)

Cherry MX: German, original, reliable Gateron: Chinese, smoother than Cherry, affordable Kailh: Chinese, Box switches (stable, unique), innovative Zealios/Zealpc: Premium tactile switches Boba/Gazzew: Premium tactile (U4T) and silent (U4) Holy Panda: Legendary tactile switch Durock: Good value premium switches Outemu: Budget switches (common in cheap boards)

Common Questions Answered

“What does hot-swap mean?” → You can remove and replace switches without soldering.

“What’s the difference between tactile and clicky?” → Tactile = bump, no click sound. Clicky = bump + audible click.

“What is QMK?” → Open-source firmware that lets you program/customize keyboard behavior.

“Why is GMK so expensive?” → German-made, premium ABS, double-shot, limited runs, high demand.

“What does ’thocky’ mean?” → Deep, muted, satisfying typing sound (subjective, highly sought after).

“What are stabs?” → Stabilizers - mechanisms under large keys to prevent wobble.

Using This Glossary

Start here if:

  • Reading keyboard reviews and feeling lost
  • Shopping and confused by product descriptions
  • Joining keyboard communities and don’t understand slang
  • Want to sound knowledgeable when asking questions

Bookmark and reference as you encounter new terms.

No one knows everything! Even experienced builders Google terms regularly.

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