Clicky switch

A clicky switch starts from the same idea as a tactile switch, a bump partway through the travel, but adds a small internal mechanism, such as a click jacket or click bar, that produces a distinct sound when the switch actuates. The result is a keyboard that gives both a physical and an audible signal every time a key registers.

The click sound and the tactile bump are technically separate events inside many clicky switch designs, which is why some clicky switches click right at actuation while others click slightly before or after it. This detail matters to enthusiasts chasing a specific feel, though for most typists the practical difference is small compared to the volume and pitch of the click itself.

Clicky switches are a poor fit for shared offices or thin-walled apartments, since the sound carries further than a linear or tactile switch's bottom-out noise. When buying, check whether the listing specifies the click mechanism type, and be aware that clicky switches are harder to quiet down through modding, since muting the click usually means replacing internal parts rather than just adding lube or foam.