Keycaps are one of the most overlooked aspects of a keyboard.
They affect typing feel, sound profile, and how your keyboard looks and performs. A bad set of keycaps can ruin an otherwise great board.
This keycap buying guide covers materials, profiles, legends, compatibility, and budget. It's for beginners who don't know where to start and people looking to upgrade or customize.
First, let's cover what keycaps are and how they work.
Table of Contents
- What Are Keycaps?
- Keycap Materials: PBT vs ABS
- Keycap Profiles Explained
- Keycap Legends
- Keycap Compatibility
- Budget Keycaps vs Premium Keycaps
- Best Keycaps for Mechanical Keyboards
- How to Install Keycaps
- Conclusion
- FAQ
What Are Keycaps?
Keycaps are the individual plastic covers that sit on top of each switch. They're what your fingers actually touch when typing.
They attach using a cross-shaped MX stem. Although some keycaps and boards use different types of stems, MX-style is the majority.
Keycaps are one of the easiest parts of a keyboard to swap out. All it takes is a few seconds and a keycap puller.
Most keycaps are made of plastic, typically ABS or PBT. That material is one of the most important parts of a keycap, and we'll be getting into it next.
Keycap Materials: PBT vs ABS
Material affects feel, sound, durability, and the longevity of the keycaps, making it one of the most important aspects of a keycap.
Quick Comparison Table
| Material | Feel | Durability | Sound | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Smooth | Develops shine over time | Higher-pitched | Budget sets, double-shot legends |
| PBT | Slightly textured | Resistant to shine, long-lasting | Deeper, thockier | Longevity, enthusiast builds |
ABS
- Smoother feel out of the box
- Tends to develop shine over time with heavy use
- Usually thinner and lighter, which can produce a higher-pitched sound
- More common on budget and stock keycap sets
- Supports double-shot legends well
PBT
- Slightly textured feel
- More resistant to shine
- Thicker and denser, producing a deeper, thockier sound
- More durable long-term
- Slightly limited colorway options compared to ABS (although as time goes on, more options are appearing)
Overall, PBT is better for longevity and feel. ABS is fine for budget sets or if you prefer a smoother texture.
If you want to learn more about keycap materials, see our complete PBT vs ABS Keycaps guide.
Material is only part of the equation. Next up: keycap profiles, and why the shape of your keycaps matters more than most people expect.
Keycap Profiles Explained
A keycap profile is the height and shape of each keycap row. Profiles affect your typing angle, comfort, sound, and aesthetics.
Quick Comparison Table
| Profile | Height | Shape | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM | Medium | Sculpted | Most typists, stock keyboards |
| Cherry | Medium-low | Sculpted | Enthusiasts, everyday typing |
| SA | Tall | Spherical | Retro aesthetics, collectors |
| DSA | Low | Uniform, flat top | Custom layouts, ortholinear boards |
| XDA | Low | Uniform, wider top | Flat typing feel, custom builds |
| KAT | Tall-medium | Sculpted, modern | SA feel with modern ergonomics |
OEM
OEM is the most common stock profile. It's slightly sculpted, has medium height, and is what most people have typed on without knowing it.
Cherry
Similar to OEM, but slightly shorter. It's popular in the enthusiast community for its comfortable typing angle.
SA
SA is tall, spherical, and has a retro look. It has a distinct feel that some typists love and others find too tall.
DSA
DSA has a low profile and uniform design, as well as a flat top. It's good for non-standard layouts since all rows are the same height.
XDA
Similar to DSA but has a slightly wider top. It comes with a smooth, flat feel.
KAT
A relatively new keycap profile with a similar height to SA, but with a more modern sculpt.
Cherry and OEM are perfect for most people. SA is for aesthetics/retro fans, and DSA/XDA are for custom or ortholinear layouts.
If you're not sure, start with Cherry or OEM since they're the most universally comfortable.
To learn more about profiles, see our complete guide on keycap profiles here.
Profile shapes how a keycap feels. Next, legends determine how it's made, and how long the printing on each key will last.
Keycap Legends
Legends are the characters printed on each keycap. The method used to create them determines how long they last and how they look.
Quick Comparison Table
| Legend Type | Durability | Best Material | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pad printed | Low, wears off over time | ABS or PBT | Budget |
| Laser etched | Medium, can fade with heavy use | ABS or PBT | Budget–mid range |
| Double-shot | Highest, legends never fade | ABS | Mid–premium |
| Dye-sublimated | High, dye infused into plastic | PBT | Mid–premium |
Pad Printed
Pad printed is the cheapest method. Ink is applied directly to the surface, making it wear off with heavy use over time. It's most common on budget keyboards.
Laser etched
Laser burns or removes material to create the legend. It's more durable than pad printing, but can still fade, and is sometimes backfilled with ink for better visibility.
Double-shot
Double-shot has two layers of plastic molded together. The legend is a separate piece of plastic instead of ink.
This means the legends can never fade since they're part of the keycap itself, making it the most durable option. It's most common on quality ABS sets.
Dye-Sublimated
Dye is infused into the plastic under heat to create the legend. It's very durable and works best on PBT.
This method can't create light-colored legends on darker keycaps since the dye only goes darker.
Overall, double-shot is best for longevity, dye-sub is ideal for PBT sets, pad print and laser etched are fine for budget boards you don't plan to keep long-term.
Now that you know what keycaps are made of, how they're shaped, and how the legends are printed, the last thing to check before buying is compatibility.
Keycap Compatibility
One of the most common beginner mistakes is buying a keycap set that doesn't fit your board. The keycaps are useless for the wrong keyboards, and it means you wasted money.
Switch Compatibility
To know if your keycap set is compatible with the switches your keyboard uses, you need to check the stem type.
MX-Style is the cross-shaped stem and the standard stem type. It's what the vast majority of switches and keycap sets are designed for.
If your keyboard uses MX or MX-compatible switches, which they most likely do, you're fine with almost any keycap set.
Other stem types exist like Alps and Topre, but have very limited compatible keycaps.
Layout Compatibility
Some layouts have differently sized keys, meaning you'll need to find differently sized keycaps.
Full-size, TKL, and 75% keyboards are the easiest to find keycaps for. Most keycap sets cover these.
65% and 60% boards are mostly fine but have a few non-standard keys that may need different keycaps.
Some budget boards have a non-standard spacebar size or bottom row layout that standard keycap sets won't cover. Always double-check before buying.
Before buying a keycap set, check your board's size, bottom row layout, and switch stem type. Most keycap product pages tell you upfront what they're compatible with.
Once you know your board is compatible, the next decision is budget, and how much you actually need to spend to get a quality set.
Budget Keycaps vs Premium Keycaps
More expensive doesn't always mean better for every buyer. It depends on how long you plan to keep the keyboard and how much you type.
Budget Tier (Under $20)
- Usually ABS, pad printed or laser etched legends
- Fine for casual use or if you're new and not sure what you want yet
- Quality is generally hit or miss with budget keycaps; you can find genuinely good sets but sometimes it's the opposite
Mid-range Tier ($20-50)
- More likely to find PBT, double-shot, or dye-sub legends
- Better colorway options and thicker keycaps
- Quality starts to become much more consistent
- The sweet spot for most people
Premium Tier ($50+)
- High-quality PBT or double-shot ABS
- Custom colorways and designs
- Tight manufacturing tolerances and consistent finishing
- Diminishing returns compared to mid-range; more relevant for enthusiasts and collectors
For most people, mid-range is the balance of quality and value. Budget sets are fine to start with, and premium is for enthusiasts who know exactly what they want.
Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the best keycaps across different use cases.
Best Keycaps for Mechanical Keyboards
Here are our top picks across different use cases.
Best Keycaps for Everyday Use
The GMKWTL XVX White and Black PBT Keycaps are great for everyday use. They're for typists and gamers who want a durable, versatile upgrade over stock keycaps.
Double-shot PBT means the legends won't fade no matter how much you type.
They come with a Cherry profile. It's slightly lower than OEM, has a comfortable typing angle, and is generally popular with enthusiasts.
The white and black colorway is clean and works on any desk setup regardless of RGB.
It's also a 124-key set, covering 60%, 65%, 75%, and 100% size layouts. The keycaps are also MX-compatible, fitting with the majority of switches.
Shop the GMKWTL XVX White and Black PBT Keycaps here.
For a full overview of the GMKWTL XVX Keycap Set, see Best Keycaps for Gaming: Profile, Material, and RGB Compatibility.
Best RGB-Focused Keycaps
The best RGB-focused keycaps for gaming are the Womier Shine-Through Double-shot PBT Keycaps.
The shine-through legends let RGB pass directly through the legend instead of around it, producing cleaner and more defined backlighting than standard gaming keycaps.
The double-shot PBT construction means the legends will never fade, even under heavy daily use.
The Cherry profile sits low enough to let light exit evenly across the legend face, minimizing shadowing at the top of each key.
The matte frosted texture keeps the surface looking clean and resists fingerprints after long sessions.
It covers 60%, 65%, 75%, 80%, TKL, 96%, and 100% layouts with 134 keys included, one of the widest compatibility ranges available.
Also compatible with Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, and other MX-stem switches.
Note: These keycaps are optimized for north-facing RGB. South-facing keyboards will see reduced light transmission through the legends.
Shop the Womier Shine-Through Double-Shot PBT Keycaps here.
For a full overview of these keycaps, see Best Shine-Through Keycaps for RGB Keyboards.
Once you've chosen your keycaps, installing them is easier than you might think.
How to Install Keycaps
Installing keycaps takes just a few seconds, and no technical skills are needed.
You'll need a keycap puller, which is often included with keycap sets or the keyboards themselves, and your new keycap set.
Here's how to install keycaps step-by-step:
- Place the keycap puller wire loops around the keycap you want to remove
- Pull straight up with gentle, even pressure
- Set the old keycap aside
- Align the new keycap over the switch stem
- Press straight down until you feel or hear a click
- Repeat for each key
Make sure to work row by row to stay organized. You can also take a photo of your keyboard before removing keys if you're unsure where everything goes.
Never force a keycap. If it's not going on easily, check that the cross-shaped hole is aligned with the switch stem before pressing down again.
The whole process takes 15-30 minutes for a full set. It's one of the most satisfying keyboard upgrades you can do.
Conclusion
Choosing the right keycaps comes down to five things: material, profile, legends, compatibility, and budget. These are what you should check before buying a set.
Keycaps are one of the easiest and most impactful upgrades you can make to a keyboard. You don't need to spend a lot to get a meaningful improvement.
Browse our keyboard keycap sets if you're ready to upgrade. If you want to explore the other parts that make a keyboard great, see our Mechanical Keyboard Buying Guide.
Related Articles
- Mechanical Keyboard Buying Guide: How to Choose the Perfect One
- PBT vs ABS Keycaps: Sound, Feel & Durability
- Best Keycaps for Gaming: Profile, Material, and RGB Compatibility
- Best Shine-Through Keycaps for RGB Keyboards
- What Are Keycap Profiles? A Beginner's Guide
FAQ
Are keycaps universal?
Most keycaps are compatible with MX-style switches, which is the standard for the majority of mechanical keyboards.
However, compatibility depends on stem type and layout size. Always check that the keycap set supports your keyboard's layout before buying.
What is the best keycap material?
PBT is generally the better material for most people. It's more durable, resistant to shine, and produces a deeper sound.
ABS is smoother and works well for double-shot legends, but tends to develop shine over time with heavy use.
Do keycaps affect typing sound?
Yes. Thicker PBT keycaps tend to produce a deeper, thockier sound, while thinner ABS keycaps can sound higher-pitched.
Profile also plays a role; taller profiles like SA tend to sound different from lower profiles like Cherry or DSA.
How long do keycaps last?
Quality PBT keycaps can last 5–10 years or more with regular use. The legends on double-shot or dye-sublimated sets won't fade regardless of how much you type.
Can I use any keycaps on a hot-swap keyboard?
Yes, as long as the stem type matches. Most hot-swap keyboards use MX-compatible switches, so any standard MX keycap set will work.
What keycap profile should I start with?
Cherry or OEM are the best starting points. They're the most common, widely available, and comfortable for most typists.
Branch out to SA or DSA once you know what you prefer.