Mechanical Keyboard Switch Chart
A switch's actuation force (how hard you press before it registers) and its travel distance (how far the key moves) are the two numbers that define typing feel, and Cherry MX remains the reference standard most other manufacturers describe their switches against. This chart lists Cherry's published specs for the most common switches, grouped by the three switch families.
The three switch families
Linear switches press down smoothly with no bump and no click, giving a consistent resistance from top to bottom. They are the common choice for gaming, where a clean uninterrupted keypress matters more than typing feedback.
Tactile switches add a noticeable bump partway through the press, right around the actuation point, so you can feel when the key registers without bottoming out. This is the usual recommendation for typing-heavy use.
Clicky switches add an audible click mechanism on top of the tactile bump. They give the most feedback of the three and are also by far the loudest, which matters in shared offices and on voice calls.
Cherry MX specs by switch
MX Red (linear): 45cN actuation force, 2mm pre-travel, 4mm total travel. The lightest common linear switch and the default gaming recommendation.
MX Black (linear): about 60cN actuation force, 2mm pre-travel, 4mm total travel. A noticeably heavier linear switch that resists accidental keypresses.
MX Brown (tactile): 55cN actuation force, 2mm pre-travel, 4mm total travel. The most popular all-round tactile switch and a common first mechanical keyboard choice.
MX Blue (clicky): about 60cN actuation force, 2.2mm pre-travel, 4mm total travel. The classic clicky switch, satisfying to type on and genuinely loud.
MX Speed Silver (linear): 45cN actuation force, 1.2mm pre-travel, 3.4mm total travel. Same light force as a Red but actuating much earlier in the press, built specifically for fast gaming input.
Pre-travel vs total travel, and why it matters
Pre-travel (also called the actuation point) is how far the key moves before the keypress registers, while total travel is how far it can move until it bottoms out on the board. A standard Cherry switch actuates at 2mm out of 4mm total, meaning the keypress registers halfway down.
Speed switches shorten pre-travel to register faster, which helps in games but also makes accidental keypresses easier while typing, since your finger has less margin before the switch triggers. This tradeoff is why speed switches are rarely recommended for people who mostly write rather than game.
Why other brands compare themselves to Cherry
Gateron, Kailh, Akko, and most other switch manufacturers use the same color naming convention (Red for light linear, Brown for tactile, Blue for clicky) and publish specs in the same cN/gram and millimeter units, which makes cross-brand comparison straightforward on paper.
In practice, two switches with identical published specs can still feel noticeably different because of factors the spec sheet does not capture: stem wobble, factory lubing, spring smoothness, and housing material all affect the feel of a press without changing the actuation force number at all. Spec sheets narrow the choice, switch testers settle it.