In addition to these two main types of switches, there are also clicky switches that give off an audible click sound as well as semi-mechanical switches that have a very slight bump when pressed but don’t give off an audible click. Tactile switches provide tactile feedback when they are actuated, while linear switches do not have any bumps and operate more like regular computer keyboards. Typically, most mechanical keyboards are either tactile or linear, which refers to whether a key has a bump (tactile) or no bump (linear) when it is pressed. (If you just want to see which switch we prefer, skip down to our thoughts section.) For reference, I’ll be using Razer’s Green switch in my example photos below.Īs mentioned above, tactile switches are designed with feedback in mind each time you bottom out a keystroke on a mechanical keyboard with such switches installed (the term for fully depressing a key), it will offer up some sort of physical resistance as your finger reaches its limit.

Let’s take a look at tactile and linear switches and how they can affect your typing style and comfort. But if we’re talking about tactile versus linear switches, there’s more to it than that and it’s actually worth thinking about how you type on a mechanical keyboard if you plan on spending some serious cash on one of these puppies. The obvious answer is that you press a key. How do you type on a mechanical keyboard? This guide will also give you a better idea of what switch type is right for you, allowing you to choose the best mechanical keyboard to suit your needs. Here, we’ll talk about what tactile and linear mechanical switches are, how they work and why you should be using one over the other in your next keyboard purchase. While these two types of mechanical switches may look similar, there are actually some important differences between them that could make or break your experience with the keyboard. When you’re shopping for your next keyboard, you may notice two types of switches included in the offerings: tactile and linear.

Tactile vs linear vs clicky for gaming