sizing
know it fits
before you commit.
drops are one bulk order with a fixed window, so it pays to get the size right the first time. this is a plain-English reference for the four things people ask about most: keyboard layouts, keycap compatibility, switches, and deskmats. no jargon for its own sake.
keyboards
layouts, by the numbers
"size" on a keyboard means how many keys it keeps. smaller boards drop keys to save desk space and move them onto a hold-down Fn layer. key counts are approximate (ANSI).
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full-size 100% · ≈104 keys
everything: function row, arrows, a nav cluster and a number pad. the pick if you punch a lot of numbers or want nothing on a layer.
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tkl 80% · ≈87 keys
full-size minus the number pad. keeps the function row, arrows and full nav cluster, and frees up desk and mouse space without changing your muscle memory.
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75% ≈84 keys
a tkl's key set squeezed together: function row and arrows, almost no gaps. nearly all the keys in a much smaller footprint.
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65% ≈68 keys
drops the function row but keeps dedicated arrow keys and a few nav keys. compact without losing the arrows, and a popular sweet spot.
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60% ≈61 keys
alphas and modifiers, nothing else: no function row, no arrows. everything extra lives on an Fn layer. minimal desk, maximum layer memory.
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40% ≈47 keys
even the number row goes. tiny, layer-heavy, and a real commitment. a niche size people either adore or bounce off.
keycaps
will this set fit my board?
two things decide it: the profile (the shape and height of the caps) and the kit coverage (whether the set includes the exact keys your layout needs).
common profiles
| profile | shape | the vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry | sculpted, low | the most popular: low, comfortable, goes with anything |
| OEM | sculpted, taller | what most prebuilts ship with; a touch taller than Cherry |
| SA | sculpted, tall, spherical | retro and tall, a real statement (and louder) |
| MT3 | sculpted, tall, scooped | deep dished tops that hug your fingers |
| DSA | uniform, low, spherical | same shape every row: flat, tidy, great on 40s/ortho |
| XDA | uniform, medium, spherical | flat with roomy keytops; uniform on any row |
the fit checklist
- MX-style stem fits Cherry MX + clones (Gateron, Kailh…)
- ANSI vs ISO Enter, left-shift & bottom row differ. buy the right kit
- bottom-row standard 1.25u mods + 6.25u spacebar = easiest to cap
- oddball keys stepped caps, split backspace/shift, 7u spacebar need extra kits
rule of thumb: match the profile to the feel you want, then check the set's kit covers your exact layout, especially the bottom row and any split keys.
switches
how it feels & fits
switches decide the feel and the sound. there are three families, and a couple of fit details that decide whether they drop into your board.
linear
smooth top to bottom, no bump. quiet-ish and fast. the gamer/typist all-rounder. (the classic "reds".)
tactile
a bump you feel at the actuation point, so you know a key registered. great typing feedback. (the classic "browns".)
clicky
the tactile bump plus an audible click. loud and satisfying, but maybe not for a shared office. (the classic "blues".)
the fit details
- stem MX-style (+ cross) is the standard
- 3-pin vs 5-pin 5-pin is more stable; clips down to 3-pin if needed
- hot-swap vs soldered hot-swap = push in/out, no iron; soldered = permanent
- weight (grams) lighter ≈45g = easy; heavier ≈62g+ = deliberate
desk
deskmat sizes
deskmats are sized in millimetres. pick by your desk depth and whether the mouse shares the mat with the board.
| size | dimensions | fits |
|---|---|---|
| XL (standard) | 900 × 400 mm | keyboard + mouse, comfortably. the de-facto default |
| medium | 800 × 300 mm | keyboard plus a bit of mouse room |
| small | ≈350 × 300 mm | keyboard or mouse on its own |
most are ~4 mm thick; stitched (rolled) edges hold up far longer than raw ones. measure your desk depth before committing: 400 mm is deeper than it sounds.
still not sure what fits?
tell us your board and what you're after and we'll help you land on the right size before a drop closes.