How to Choose Keycaps that Upgrade Your Mechanical Keyboard

Whether you're using an entry-level mechanical keyboard or a premium custom-built "endgame" board, there's one component that deserves your full attention: keycaps.

Keycaps are the only part of your keyboard your fingers actually touch. Swap out the keycaps on the same keyboard, and you'll experience a dramatically different feel, sound, and aesthetic. Many beginners obsess over switches while ignoring keycaps – but upgrading your keycaps often delivers a more noticeable improvement than changing switches, at a fraction of the cost.

Yet the options are overwhelming. ABS, PBT,PC, OEM, Cherry, SA, XDA, DSA, double-shot, dye-sublimation – where do you even start?

This guide breaks down keycaps across four dimensions – Material, Profile, Compatibility, and Manufacturing Process – so you can make an informed choice with confidence. At the end, you'll find a quick-reference selection table to match your needs instantly.

1. Compatibility

This is where beginners make the most expensive mistakes. Here's the definitive compatibility checklist.

Stem Compatibility

The vast majority of mechanical keyboards use an MX-style cross-shaped stem (Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh, etc.), though different keyboard manufacturers may call it differently..

• ✅ Check if your keyboard is a mechanical keyboard. Most non mechanical keyboards (i.e. membrane keyboards - keyboards with rubber-like membrane underneath each keys) do not support changing keycaps.
• ✅ If your keycap set is labeled "MX compatible," it will fit most modern mechanical keyboards.
• ✅ How to verify:
  1. Check the package of the product or manufacturers website and see if it is mechanical keyboard, and if it is, check the part that states keyboard switches and see if it is labeled "MX compatible", or if its switch stem is cross (+) shape. Or;
  2. Pull off a keycap and check if the switch stem is a cross (+) shape. (Not recommended for non mechanical keyboards)

Exceptions to watch for: 

Layout Compatibility

Keycap size is measured in "units" (u) – 1u equals the width of a standard letter key.

Critical measurements to check:

ANSI vs ISO Layout:

• ANSI (American standard): Horizontal Enter key, 2.25u left Shift.
• ISO (European standard): L-shaped Enter key, 1.25u left Shift, extra key next to left Shift.

Language Compatibility

While US English (ANSI) keyboard is the most used keyboard in the world, some countries may have their own keyboard layout in the own language. For example, the Japanese keyboard uses a layout called JIS, which is similar to ISO, but added extra keys as well as Japanese syllabary as secondary legends on alphabet keys to help users to input Japanese. If you would like to replace keycaps on a Japanese keyboard, you may want to find Japanese keycap sets that come with extra keys and Japanese syllabary, or ISO keycap sets that come with extra keycaps.

Language on your keyboard can be changed partially or completely. To learn more about changing keyboard language, please refer to our guide.

Before you buy, confirm:

1. Your keyboard's switch stem type (pull one cap and look).
2. Your keyboard layout (ANSI or ISO, full size or TKL or compact size, language)
3. Width of special keys like spacebar, Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Win etc.
4. Whether your keyboard comes with unique keys like macro keys, volume, play/pause etc, and whether the keycap set provides special keycaps that can replace the unique keys on your keyboard.

💡 Golden Rule: Always check the keycap set's compatibility chart or supported layout list before purchasing. A reputable seller will always provide this information.

2. Keycap Materials

The material determines how your keycaps feel, how long they last, and how much they cost. Here's what you need to know about each.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS is one of the most widely used keycap materials and the default choice for many pre-built keyboards.

• Feel: Smooth, silky, with a slightly soft, skin-like texture that many describe as "buttery.“
• Advantages: Low cost, easy to mold, vibrant colors, and excellent translucency for RGB backlighting.
• Disadvantages: Soft and wear-prone. After several months of daily use, the surface becomes polished and glossy from finger oils – a phenomenon known as "shining" or "keycap shine."
• Best for: Users who appreciate top tactile feel and aesthetics and don't mind replacing keycaps periodically. Also preferred by enthusiasts who prioritize RGB aesthetics.
• Premium example: GMK keycaps – widely regarded as the gold standard for ABS, despite their high price.

PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)

PBT is the most popular material among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts – and for good reason.

• Feel: Dry, firm, with a distinctive textured/sandy surface that provides excellent grip. Some PBT keycaps have a subtle "sweat-absorbing" quality that feels great during long typing sessions.
• Advantages: High hardness, exceptional wear resistance, and virtually immune to shine. A quality PBT keycap set can look and feel like new for years.
• Disadvantages: Higher melting point makes it harder to mold. Color saturation is slightly less vivid than ABS (though high-end PBT sets have narrowed this gap significantly).
• Best for: The vast majority of users – whether you're a gamer, coder, or casual typist, PBT is the safe, long-term choice.
• Popular example: Keychron PBT keycaps, Akko ASA PBT sets.

PC (Polycarbonate)

PC keycaps are all about showcasing your keyboard's lighting.

• Feel: Hard and crisp, with a slightly "clacky" sound.
• Advantages: Exceptional transparency, making RGB lighting pop like nothing else. Many PC keycap sets are "full translucent," turning your keyboard into a light show.
• Disadvantages: Tend to be scratched and be blurred by fingerprints. Sound signature tends to be higher-pitched – not ideal for users seeking a deep "thock."
• Best for: RGB die-hards and aesthetic-focused builders.

Other Materials

• Metal keycaps (aluminum, titanium, brass): Premium look and weight, but expensive (often $200+ per set) and heavy enough to affect switch feel.
• Resin / wooden keycaps: Typically used as single artisan keycaps for accent keys, not full sets.

📊 Material Comparison Table

3. Keycap Profiles

Profile refers to the height, shape, and angle of keycaps. It directly affects typing comfort, finger fatigue, and even the sound of your keyboard.

What is a Keycap Profile?

• Sculpted profiles: Each row has a different height and angle, creating an ergonomic curvature.
• Uniform profiles: All rows have the same height – similar to a laptop keyboard.

Cherry Profile (Original Cherry)

Cherry profile is the original profile used by Cherry on their classic keyboards.

• Height: Lower than OEM, with a more gradual angle across rows.
• Top shape: Gently curved, excellent finger-hugging feel.
• Advantages: Ergonomic design reduces finger travel distance, making it less fatiguing for long typing sessions. The lower height also creates a deeper, more satisfying sound.
• Best for: Writers, coders, and anyone who types for hours daily.

OEM Profile

OEM is the most common keycap profile found on pre-built keyboards and aftermarket sets.

• Height: 1–2mm taller than Cherry profile.
• Top shape: Slightly scooped with moderate surface area.
• Advantages: Universally compatible, comfortable for both gaming and typing, affordable.
• Best for: Beginners and most users – a true all-rounder.

SA Profile

SA (Spherical All) is a tall, spherical profile that's instantly recognizable.

• Height: One of the tallest profile available – notably higher than OEM and Cherry.
• Top shape: Deeply dished, like a retro typewriter, providing a glove-like fit for fingertips.
• Advantages:Thick walls and tall height produce a signature deep "thock" sound that enthusiasts crave. Incredibly retro aesthetic.
• Disadvantages: Tall height makes a wrist rest almost mandatory for comfort. Not recommended for gaming due to extended travel distance.
• Best for: Custom keyboard enthusiasts, aesthetic purists, and "thock" chasers.

DSA Profile

DSA is a lower, uniform spherical profile

• Height: One of the lowest spherical uniform profiles.
• Top shape: Dished but shallower than SA.
• Advantages: Crisp, precise feel that works well for fast typing and non-standard layouts.
• Best for: Compact keyboards (40–60%), ortholinear layouts, and fast typists.

XDA Profile

XDA is a uniform profile (all rows equal height) with a distinctive spherical top, essentially a taller DSA.

• Height: Uniform height, but taller than DSA, roughly equivalent to Cherry's middle rows.
• Top shape: Broad and flat – provides a large, comfortable surface area.
• Advantages: Uniform profile means you can swap keys between rows freely. Looks incredibly clean and modern.
• Disadvantages: The flat design isn't ideal for fast-paced gaming – fingers can "slip" off keycaps.
• Best for: Aesthetics-first users and casual typists.

Other Profiles

Besides the above mentioned profiles, there are many different variation in the market developed by different manufacturers, included MT3 - a tall sculpted profile developed by Matt3o and Drop, KAT - similar height to OEM, but more spherical, MDA - a medium-height sculpted spherical profile, and MOA - a slightly taller variation of XDA and DSA . We will cover them in the future.

📊 Profile Comparison Table

4. Legend Printing Methods

The printing method determines how long the legends (letters/characters) last.

Double-Shot (Double-Shot Injection Molding) 

Double-Shot Injection makes two materials injected in two stages, with the legend color embedded directly into the keycap body.

• Legend durability: Virtually permanent – impossible to wear off.
• Transparency: Can be made transparent for RGB backlighting.
• Best for: Users who want maximum durability and/or RGB compatibility.

Dye-Sublimation (Dye-Sub)

Dye-Sublimation technique uses heat to transfer dye into the keycap surface, where it bonds with the plastic.

• Legend durability: Highly wear-resistant – won't fade with use.
• Design possibilities: Can produce vibrant, multi-colored, complex designs – perfect for themed sets.
• Disadvantage: Not suitable for translucent keycaps – dye-sub is opaque by nature, and translucent materials like PC may deform in high temperature.
• Best for: Aesthetics-first users who want unique, artistic keycap sets.

Other Printing Methods 

5. Keycap Thickness

Keycap thickness is one of the commonly overlooked factors, but it is highly valued by savvy users when choosing keycaps. Keycap thickness typically ranges from 1mm to 1.8mm or more. In general, the thicker the keycaps are, the deeper and more satisfying the sound will be when they bottom out on the keyboard plate – making thickness one of the critical factors for achieving that coveted "thock" sound.

However, thicker keycaps may not perform as well as thinner ones when it comes to backlight shine-through. The thicker plastic absorbs and diffuses light, making RGB LEDs appear dimmer and less vibrant.

Besides sound and backlights, thickness also directly influences typing feel. Heavier thick keycaps (1.5mm+) add noticeable mass to each keystroke, giving a more deliberate, stable, and "planted" sensation. This mass dampens vibration and provides a solid, premium feedback that many typists find reassuring – it makes your keyboard feel more "substantial." However, this extra weight can make light linear switches (e.g., Cherry MX Red) feel slightly heavier and slower to return, which may not suit rapid-fire gamers. In contrast, thinner keycaps (around 1.0–1.2mm) are lighter and more responsive, offering quicker spring‑back and snappier keystrokes – ideal for competitive gaming and speed typing where every millisecond counts.

So here's the trade-off:

• If you're a sound enthusiast and your keyboard doesn't have backlights (or you don't care about them), and you type more than you game, go for thicker keycaps (1.5mm+) for the deepest, most solid acoustic signature.
• If you're an RGB enthusiast who prioritizes vivid, glowing lighting effects over typing sound, and you need fast response from your linear switches keyboard during gaming, choose thinner keycaps (around 1.0–1.2mm) for maximum light transmission and responsiveness.
• If you want a middle ground – reasonable sound, decent lighting, and balanced weight – look for 1.3–1.4mm thickness, which offers a compromise that satisfies many all‑around users.

6. Quick Reference – Find Your Perfect Keycap Set

Use this table to match your needs with the right keycap combination:

7.Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Choosing the right keycaps doesn't have to be complicated. Remember the five pillars:

1. Material → PBT is the safe, long-lasting choice for most users.
2. Profile → Cherry and OEM are the most universal.
3. Legends → Double-shot is most durable; dye-sub is best for colors.
4. Thickness → Choose 1.3-1.4mm of thickness if you are not sure.
5. Compatibility → Check your switch stem + layout before you buy.

The right keycaps will transform your keyboard from a functional tool into something you genuinely look forward to typing on every day.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are keycaps universal?

A: Not exactly. Most modern keyboards use MX-style cross stems, so the vast majority of keycap sets will fit. However, low-profile keyboards, Alps switches, and Topre switches are notable exceptions. Layout differences (spacebar length, Shift key size) also affect compatibility. Always check the product compatibility chart.

Q: Are keycaps worth upgrading?

A: Absolutely. Keycaps change the feel, sound, and appearance of your keyboard more than any other single component – often for under $50. It's the best value upgrade you can make.

Q: PBT vs ABS – which should I choose?

A: PBT for most users. It resists shine, lasts years, and provides a textured grip. ABS feels smoother initially but will develop shine within months. Choose ABS only if you prioritize RGB vibrancy or prefer a silky texture and don't mind replacing caps periodically.

Q: Will keycaps change the sound of my keyboard?

A: Yes – dramatically. Taller profiles (like SA) produce deeper "thock" sounds. Shorter profiles (like Cherry) produce more controlled, muted sounds. Thicker keycaps also tend to sound deeper and more solid.

Q: Does keycap profile affects backlights?

A: Yes. Taller keycaps (like SA) let less light leak from the sides, so the lighting is more focused on the characters; shorter keycaps leak more light from the sides, giving a stronger ambient vibe.

Q: My keyboard is [Brand X] – can I change the keycaps?

A: Most mainstream brands (Keychron, Akko, VGN, RK, Ducky, etc.) use MX stems and support aftermarket keycaps. A few exceptions: some older Logitech G series boards, some Razer optical switch boards, and certain low-profile models. When in doubt, pull a keycap and check the stem.