Glossary
Tactile switch
A mechanical keyboard switch with a distinct bump partway through the keystroke that signals actuation without a click.
A tactile switch is built so the stem meets a small bump partway down its travel, giving a physical signal that the switch is about to actuate. Unlike a linear switch, you can feel exactly where the actuation point sits without needing to bottom out, which many typists use to develop a lighter, faster typing rhythm over time.
The size and position of the bump varies between switches. Some have a sharp, pronounced bump close to actuation, while others spread a softer bump earlier in the travel. Neither is objectively better, and the right choice depends on whether you prefer a strong tactile event or a gentler ramp in resistance, which is largely personal preference rather than a spec you can rank.
When shopping for tactile switches, compare the actuation force and bump force separately if the listing provides both, since a switch can have a light overall feel but a sharp bump, or the reverse. A common confusion is mixing up tactile switches with clicky switches: tactile switches give you the bump but stay quiet, while clicky switches add a separate click mechanism on top of that bump.