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Cherry MX part number schema

This page summarises the Cherry MX part number schema including MX Low Profile and MX Ultra Low Profile. See common schema for a more detailed look at the Cherry part number schema. All data on this page refers to the MX range proper (not the low profile types) unless otherwise noted.

Contents

Sources

Positions

1: Keymodule

Value Meaning
M Keymodule

2: Series

Value Meaning
X Cherry MX, MX Low Profile and MX Ultra Low Profile

3: Contact design

Value Definition
1 AuAg 10, 10 mA and 12 V maximum
2 As 1 but with factory lubrication applied (known only from MX2A-61NW “Nixie” recreation)
3 As above, but with dampening integrated into the slider
5 Special
6 “High-quality Gold Alloy” (MX Ultra Low Profile)

4: Switch characteristics

Value Meaning
A SPST-NO
B Cherry MX Low Profile
C Special (historical usage)
MX Ultra Low Profile

5: Force and behaviour

The colours indicated in the following table refer to German MX switches. Japanese MX switches are very poorly understood, and American MX switches did not use a different colour for space bar.

Value Action Type Weight (actuation) Travel Keystem colour Notes
0 Momentary Linear 50±17 g 4 mm Unknown Hirose MX
1 Momentary Linear 60±20 cN 4 mm Black
Damped linear 3.7 mm Grey MX Silent Black
2 Momentary Linear 80±25 cN 4 mm Grey 37 For space bars
3 Alternate Linear 60±20 cN 4.2 mm Black (older)
Colourless (newer)
4 Momentary Linear 52±15 cN 4 mm Colourless
5 Momentary Linear, reduced travel 45±15 cN 3.4 mm Silver
3.2 mm MX Low Profile
6 Momentary Linear 63.5 cN 4 mm Black
A Momentary Tactile with hysteresis 70±20 cN
(previously 75±20 cN)
4 mm Colourless (older)
White (current)
B Momentary Tactile with hysteresis 105 cN 4 mm Grey 36 For space bars
C Momentary Tactile 55±20 cN 4 mm Colourless
D Momentary Tactile 80 cN 4 mm Grey 39 For space bars
E Momentary Tactile and clicky with hysteresis 50±15 cN 4 mm Blue
F Momentary Tactile and clicky with hysteresis 70±20 cN 4 mm Green For space bars
G Momentary Tactile 45±20 cN 4 mm Brown
H Momentary Tactile 55 cN 4 mm Clear MX Ergo Clear
K Momentary Tactile and clicky 52 cN 1.8 mm Clear MX Ultra Low Profile
L Momentary Linear 45±15 cN 4 mm Red
Damped linear 3.7 mm Pink MX Silent Red
Linear, reduced travel 3.2 mm Red MX Low Profile

6: Keystem

Value Meaning
1 Standard straight for cylindrical and 8 mm keycaps
2 Enclosed cylindrical stem (MX Low Profile)
3 Chiclet attachment (MX Ultra Low Profile)
G German-made custom types
N Hirose MX

7: Standard features

These options have little if any relevance to the low-profile types.

Value Designation
N No LED, diode or jumper
R Red LED
G Green LED
Y Yellow LED
D Internal diode
J Internal jumper

8: Additional characteristics

These options have little if any relevance to the low-profile types.

Value Fixing pins Shell
N No pins Black (fits monochrome through-hole LED)
W With pins Black (fits monochrome through-hole LED)
A No pins Translucent/transparent with lens for RGB SMD LED
B With pins Translucent/transparent with lens for RGB SMD LED

See also