Glossary
Actuation force
The amount of force needed to press a switch past its actuation point and register a keystroke.
Actuation force is the amount of downward pressure a switch needs before it registers a keypress, usually listed in grams or centinewtons, which are close enough in practice to be used interchangeably on most spec sheets. It is measured at the actuation point, not at the bottom of the keystroke, so it does not tell you how heavy the switch feels once fully pressed.
Lighter actuation force, often in the 35 to 45 gram range for common switches, makes for faster and less tiring typing but increases the chance of accidental presses from resting fingers. Heavier switches in the 60 gram range and above resist accidental input but require more deliberate presses, which some typists find fatiguing during long sessions.
When comparing switches, actuation force alone does not capture the full feel, since bottom-out force, spring type, and whether the switch is tactile or linear all interact with it. A frequent mistake is choosing a switch purely by force number without trying a sample pack first, since the same gram weight can feel different depending on spring design and stem shape.