Custom Keyboards – Find Your Perfect Keyboard for a Unique Setup
With a custom keyboard, you can build your keyboard according to your own preferences. Choose suitable barebones, switches, keycaps and accessories and customise the typing feel, sound and design to suit your preferences.
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Custom Keyboards: Individual Keyboards
A custom keyboard is a personalised keyboard built using individually selected components such as switches, keycaps and barebones. You can customise it to suit your aesthetic preferences, desired functionality and typing feel.
What Does a Custom Keyboard Consist Of?
A custom keyboard consists of several individually selectable components.
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Switches | Determine the typing feel, feedback and noise level when pressing a key. |
| Keycaps | Form the surface of the keys and influence feel, appearance and sound. |
| PCB | Connects the switches to the keyboard controller and processes key inputs. |
| Stabilisers | Stabilise larger keys and ensure a consistent keystroke. |
| Switch Plate | Holds the switches in position and influences stability, flexibility and acoustics. |
| Dampening Foam and Rubber | Reduce vibrations and noise, thereby influencing the keyboard's acoustics. |
| Case | Encloses the components and influences the keyboard's stability, weight and acoustics. |
What Types of Switches Are Available?
Switches differ in both their typing feel and the technology they use:
- Linear: Smooth and consistent keystrokes without tactile feedback
- Tactile: Provide noticeable resistance when a keypress is registered
- Clicky: Produce an audible click in addition to tactile feedback
- Hall effect switches: Detect key travel magnetically and, depending on the keyboard, enable features such as adjustable actuation points and Rapid Trigger
- Analogue optical switches: Detect key travel optically and, depending on the keyboard, enable adjustable actuation points and analogue inputs
Barebones: Kits for Custom Keyboards
A keyboard barebone forms the basis of your custom keyboard and, depending on the model, already includes components such as the case, PCB, switch plate and stabilisers. Switches and keycaps are generally not included with barebones and can be selected according to your requirements. Many current models feature hot-swap sockets, allowing compatible switches to be installed and replaced without soldering.
Which Components Need to Be Compatible in a Custom Keyboard?
When building your custom keyboard, you should pay attention to the compatibility of the individual components. Important factors include the keyboard layout, supported switch technology and the sizes and stems of the keycaps.
- ISO or ANSI: The barebone and keycap set must support the desired layout and required key sizes.
- Mechanical switches: With traditional mechanical hot-swap keyboards, check whether the PCB supports 3-pin and 5-pin switches, for example.
- Magnetic switches: Hall effect or magnetic switches require a compatible PCB and are not automatically compatible with each other or with mechanical hot-swap keyboards.
- Keycaps: In addition to the layout, check the required key sizes and make sure the keycaps are compatible with the stems of the switches being used.
Additional Parts for Custom Keyboards
Keyboard USB Cables
A detachable or integrated cable connects the keyboard to your PC. Coiled keyboard cables are popular for their practical benefits. They help keep your desk organised by reducing cable tangles and clutter.
Firmware and Software
Some custom keyboards support configurable firmware such as QMK as well as tools such as VIA, allowing you to customise features such as key assignments and macros.
With these components, you can create a fully personalised and optimised typing experience.
Keyboard Configurator
With our keyboard configurators, you can select a suitable barebone and combine it with compatible switches and keycaps.
FAQ – Custom Keyboards
What Size Should My Custom Keyboard Be?
The right size depends on which keys you need and how compact you want your keyboard to be. Full-size and TKL keyboards provide many directly accessible keys, while 75%, 65% and 60% keyboards take up less space on your desk.
What Do I Need for a Custom Keyboard?
For a custom keyboard, you generally need a suitable barebone or case with a PCB as well as switches and keycaps. Which additional components are required depends on the respective barebone and what is included with it.
Do All Switches Fit Every Custom Keyboard?
No. Which switches you can use depends on the PCB and the installed sockets. With mechanical hot-swap keyboards, you should check whether 3-pin and 5-pin switches are supported, among other factors.
Do All Keycaps Fit Every Custom Keyboard?
No. Keycaps must be compatible with both the switches being used and the keyboard's layout and key sizes. In particular, make sure the keycap set supports your ISO or ANSI layout as well as the required key sizes.
Do I Need to Solder a Custom Keyboard?
Not necessarily. With a hot-swap PCB, you can install and remove compatible switches without soldering. With a PCB without hot-swap sockets, however, the switches generally need to be soldered.
Can I Replace the Switches in My Custom Keyboard Later?
With a hot-swap keyboard, you can usually remove compatible switches using a switch puller and replace them with other models. Replacing soldered switches is considerably more involved.
Can I Build a Custom Keyboard with a German Layout?
Yes. For a German keyboard layout, you need a keyboard or barebone with suitable ISO support and a keycap set that includes the required German key legends.
Are Custom Keyboards Suitable for Gaming?
Yes. You can use a custom keyboard for gaming as well as typing and work. By choosing the switches, layout and other components, you can tailor the keyboard to your personal requirements.