Cherry MX
Cherry MX is one of the most common mechanical switches on the market; certainly so for contemporary mechanical keyboards produced by the likes of Ducky, Filco, Leopold, PLU, HPE, KeyCool and others.
Cherry MX switches are operated by depressing a spring-loaded slider to or past the actuation point of the switch. The slider is either a linear or tactile 'ramp' that displaces a leaf spring. When the slider is depressed, the leaf spring is allowed to complete the circuit between the + and - terminals that are soldered to the PCB.
There are four 'common' MX models in addition to a few other switches that are not often used by keyboard OEMs. Nowadays most Cherry switches are referred to by their slider color.
Common Switches
Switch Color | Model Number | Switch Feel |
---|---|---|
Black | Example | Linear, medium-heavy spring |
Red | Example | Linear, light spring |
Brown | Example | Tactile, light spring |
Blue | Example | Tactile & Clicky, light spring |