Keyboard Switch Bottom-Out Force Explained

Bottom-out force is the force a switch specifies at the end of its travel; actuation force is the force specified earlier, where the switch registers a keypress. Comparing both can give you a better sense of how a switch’s resistance changes through a press—but neither figure tells you on its own whether a switch will feel comfortable or help you type faster.

What does bottom-out force mean?

A mechanical switch moves down when you press a key. At the actuation point, its electrical contact registers the keypress. If you keep pressing, the stem travels towards the bottom of the switch housing. Bottom-out force describes the force specified at the end of that travel.

Actuation force describes the force specified earlier, at the point where the keypress registers. Manufacturers may label it “operating force” or “operation force”. These are useful figures to compare, but check the wording on the relevant specification: not every manufacturer presents force data in the same way.

A worked comparison: two Gateron G Pro 3.0 switches

Gateron lists both the G Pro 3.0 Red and Yellow as linear switches, with 2.0 ± 0.6 mm of pre-travel and up to 4.0 mm of total travel. Its specifications give the Red an operation force of 45 ± 15 gf and a bottom-touching force of 50 gf. For the Yellow, they give 50 ± 15 gf and 67 gf respectively. Here, gf means gram-force, a unit of force commonly used in switch specifications. You can check these figures in Gateron’s G Pro 3.0 specifications.

• G Pro 3.0 Red: 45 ± 15 gf operation force; 50 gf bottom-touching force. The published specification describes a linear switch with up to 4.0 mm of total travel.

• G Pro 3.0 Yellow: 50 ± 15 gf operation force; 67 gf bottom-touching force. The published specification describes a linear switch with up to 4.0 mm of total travel.

On paper, the Yellow has a higher specified operation force and a higher bottom-touching force than the Red. The difference between its listed operation and bottom-touching figures is also larger. That gives you a useful starting point for comparing the two, but it does not describe every point along the press or guarantee how either switch will feel under your fingers.

A specification may be missing or unclear for other switches. In that case, treat the value as unknown rather than estimating it from the spring, colour, or another switch in the same range. Also note that supplier listings sometimes use different figures or labels: if figures conflict, check the exact switch version and favour the manufacturer’s documentation where available.

What can the two force figures tell you?

Actuation force gives you a reference for the resistance around the point a keypress registers. Bottom-out force gives you a reference for resistance at the far end of the press. Together, they can help distinguish switches that have similar actuation figures but differ in their specified end-of-travel force.

The figures are not a score for typing comfort, and a higher bottom-out force does not automatically mean a switch is better or worse. Your experience also depends on how far you press each key, the switch’s force curve, its tactile characteristics if any, and the rest of the keyboard build. If you rarely press keys all the way down, the end-of-travel figure may matter less to you than how the switch feels before actuation.

Nor does a lower force rating guarantee faster gaming or typing. Force is only one part of a switch’s behaviour; pre-travel, reset behaviour, technique, and personal preference matter too. “Light” and “heavy” are useful shorthand, not universal comfort categories.

How to use force ratings when choosing switches

1. Check the exact switch version. A familiar switch name can cover different revisions or variants, so match the specification to the product you are considering.

2. Compare like with like. Look at actuation force and bottom-out force separately, and note whether a number is a fixed value or a range. Don’t assume two brands’ labels describe identical measurement methods.

3. Consider your own press. If you tend to bottom out, the specified end force may be more relevant to your comparison. If you tend to stop after actuation, focus more on the force and feel leading up to that point.

4. Try a small sample if you can. A switch tester or a few sample switches can help you judge feel more directly than a specification alone.

To narrow down options, explore the Creamy Keyboard mechanical keyboard switch database. You can search switches, compare available specifications, and filter by switch type, actuation-force range, pre-travel, silent status, or factory lubrication. Some profiles have incomplete specifications; a blank or unknown value is not a recommendation to guess.

Use bottom-out force as one clue about resistance at the end of a press, then weigh it alongside actuation force and the other specifications that matter to you. If two candidates look similar on paper, a sample is the most practical next step for finding out which one suits your typing style.