Mechanical Keyboard Glossary: 15 Terms Explained
The words that show up in mechanical keyboard specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon.
- Actuation force
- The force needed to register a keypress, measured in centinewtons (cN) or grams.
- Band-aid mod
- Placing a small fabric bandage patch on the PCB under stabilizer wire contact points to reduce rattle.
- Related: Best Band-Aid Mod Kits (2026) →
- Case foam
- Foam inside the case that reduces hollow sound and ping.
- Related: Best Keyboard Case Foam (2026) →
- Clicky switch
- A switch with a tactile bump plus an audible click.
- Related: Best Clicky Mechanical Switches (2026) →
- Doubleshot
- Keycaps with legends moulded from a second plastic, so they never wear off.
- Related: Best Doubleshot Keycaps (2026) →
- Form factor
- Keyboard size and layout, such as full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%.
- Related: Best TKL (Tenkeyless) Mechanical Keyboards (2026) →
- Hall effect switch
- A magnetic switch whose actuation point can often be adjusted in software.
- Related: Best Magnetic Hall Effect Switches and Keyboards (2026) →
- Hot-swappable
- A keyboard whose PCB sockets let you pull and replace switches without soldering.
- Related: Best Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboards (2026) →
- Keycap profile
- The shape and height of keycaps across rows, like Cherry, OEM, SA and XDA.
- Related: Best Cherry Profile Keycaps (2026) →
- Linear switch
- A switch with smooth travel and no bump or click.
- Related: Best Linear Mechanical Switches (2026) →
- Lubing
- Applying thin lubricant to switch parts and stabilizers for smoother, quieter keystrokes.
- Related: Best Switch Lube (2026) →
- Pre-travel
- How far a key moves before it registers. Standard MX-style switches actuate around 2 mm.
- Stabilizer
- The mechanism under long keys like the spacebar that keeps them level.
- Related: Best Screw-In Stabilizers (2026) →
- Tactile switch
- A switch with a noticeable bump near actuation that you can feel.
- Related: Best Tactile Mechanical Switches (2026) →