Mechanical Keyboard Switches Explained: Blue, Red, and Brown Switches

Mechanical keyboards have gained a massive following among gamers, programmers, writers, and keyboard enthusiasts thanks to their durability, tactile feedback, and customizable typing experience. But one of the most important components of any mechanical keyboard is the switch — and not all switches are created equal.

In this article, we’ll break down the three most common types of mechanical switches: Blue, Red, and Brown, to help you understand their characteristics and find the one that suits your needs best.

Blue Switches: The Clicky Typist’s Dream

Type: Clicky
Feedback: Tactile + Audible
Actuation Force: ~50–60g
Actuation Point: ~2.2mm
Total Travel: ~4.0mm

Best For:

  • Typists

  • Writers

  • Those who love audible feedback

Blue switch

Red Switches: The Silent Speedster

Type: Linear
Feedback: Smooth, No Tactile Bump
Actuation Force: ~45g
Actuation Point: ~2.0mm
Total Travel: ~4.0mm

Best For:

  • Gamers
  • People who need quiet keyboards
  • Fast typers who prefer smooth keypresses

Gateron red switch

Brown Switches: The Balanced All-Rounder

Type: Tactile
Feedback: Gentle Bump, No Click
Actuation Force: ~45g–55g
Actuation Point: ~2.0mm
Total Travel: ~4.0mm

Best For:

  • Mixed use (typing + gaming)

  • Office environments

  • Newcomers to mechanical keyboards

Gateron brown switch