Cherry MX Switches

Cherry MX switches are mechanical keyboard switches manufactured by Cherry Corporation. Cherry MX switches are considered to be the gold standard of modern mechanical keyboards. First invented back in 1983, the Cherry MX mechanical switch has been in production for over three decades, but has only recently seen a resurgence due to the increased popularity of mechanical keyboards in the past few years. Currently, Cherry’s MX mechanical switch patents have expired leading to many companies such as Kailh, Gateron, Greetech, and others to produce “clones” of the iconic mechanical switch.

Common Cherry MX Mechanical Keyboard Switches

Cherry MX Blue

Actuation Force (g): 50

Actuation Distance (mm): 2.2

Full Travel Distance (mm): 4

Lifespan: 50 Million

Other Characteristics: Tactile bump, Clicky

Cherry MX Brown

Actuation Force (g): 45

Actuation Distance (mm): 2.2

Full Travel Distance (mm): 4

Lifespan: 50 Million

Other Characteristics: Tactile bump

Cherry MX Red

Actuation Force (g): 45

Actuation Distance (mm): 2.2

Full Travel Distance (mm): 4

Lifespan: 50 Million

Other Characteristics: Linear (Silent)

Cherry MX Black

Actuation Force (g): 60

Actuation Distance (mm): 2.2

Full Travel Distance (mm): 4

Lifespan: 50 Million

Other Characteristics: Linear (Silent)

Cherry MX Clear

Actuation Force (g): 55

Actuation Distance (mm): 2.2

Full Travel Distance (mm): 4

Lifespan: 50 Million

Other Characteristics: Tactile bump

Cherry MX Green

Actuation Force (g): 80

Actuation Distance (mm): 2.2

Full Travel Distance (mm): 4

Lifespan: 50 Million

Other Characteristics: Clicky

Cherry MX Speed

Actuation Force (g): 45

Actuation Distance (mm): 1.2

Full Travel Distance (mm): 4

Lifespan: 50 Million

Other Characteristics: Linear (Silent)