Discover How Keycap Profiles Transform Your Custom Keyboard Build
By Ethan Brooks•Published on May 13, 2025
Customization
Guides
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When building a custom mechanical keyboard, keycaps are more than just plastic covers for your switches. The profile of your keycaps—their shape, height, and sculpt—dramatically affects both aesthetics and typing experience.
Let's break down everything you need to know about keycap profiles to make informed choices for your next custom build.
Keycap profiles refer to the three-dimensional shape of keycaps when installed on your keyboard. They vary in:
Your choice of profile impacts finger travel distance, typing comfort, and the sound your keyboard produces when typing.
Cherry profile keycaps are among the most popular and widely used profiles in the mechanical keyboard community.
Cherry profile offers a good balance between typing comfort and aesthetics. The sculpted design guides your fingers naturally across the keyboard, reducing typing fatigue.
OEM is the standard profile found on most pre-built mechanical keyboards.
If you're transitioning from a standard keyboard, OEM profile will feel most familiar and require minimal adjustment.
SA (Spherical All) keycaps stand out with their tall, retro look inspired by vintage keyboards.
SA profile creates a striking visual statement and produces a deep, satisfying sound that many enthusiasts love. However, the height can require an adjustment period for typing.
DSA offers a uniform, low-profile alternative.
The uniform height makes DSA ideal for keyboard layouts where you might move keycaps between rows, as in custom layouts and keymaps.
KAT and KAM are newer profiles gaining popularity.
These profiles offer a middle ground between the extreme height of SA and the flatness of DSA.
Developed by Matt3o, MT3 is inspired by old IBM terminals.
MT3 creates a unique typing experience with its deep dish design that cradles your fingertips.
The profile you choose directly impacts wrist position and finger movement:
For those concerned with ergonomics, exploring ergonomic keyboard designs might be beneficial alongside choosing the right profile.
Keycap profile significantly affects your keyboard's sound:
When paired with the right mechanical switches, your keycap profile can help achieve your desired sound signature.
Keycap profiles dramatically alter your keyboard's appearance:
For a complete customization guide, check out how to customize your mechanical keyboard.
Different profiles are commonly available in specific materials:
For more on keycap materials, see our detailed guide to keycap materials and textures.
Some enthusiasts mix profiles for specific purposes:
While mixing can create unique typing experiences, it may create visual inconsistency and unexpected typing dynamics.
Not all profiles are equally available:
When planning your build, check compatibility with your keyboard's layout and switch type.
