Table of Contents
  • Keylayer Plate Thickness

    published: 2026-03-15

    tags: ergogen,mounting hole

    Q: how thick should a mechanical keyboards key switch layer be?

    A:

    The standard thickness for a mechanical keyboard switch plate is 1.5 mm to 1.6 mm, which aligns with the official Cherry MX datasheet specification of 1.5 ± 0.1 mm.

    1.6 mm is the most common thickness for FR4/PCB plates and is widely accepted for 3D-printed plates to ensure rigidity. 1.2 mm is required specifically for Kailh Choc low-profile switches to allow their stabilizers to clip properly. Plates thicker than 1.6 mm (up to 3 mm for printed, or 4.5 mm for specialized designs) often require the switch notches to be carved or recessed, as standard clips may not engage correctly on thicker materials.

    Sources:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1c7rfgw/how_thick_should_be_switch_plate_for_mx_switches/ https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/s8cscf/about_how_thick_are_keyboard_plates_like_where/ https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/47rbys/mounting_plate_thickness/ https://github.com/josefadamcik/SofleKeyboard/issues/136 https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/s8cscf/about_how_thick_are_keyboard_plates_like_where/ https://www.keebtalk.com/t/fat-plates/2787 https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1c7rfgw/how_thick_should_be_switch_plate_for_mx_switches/ https://github.com/josefadamcik/SofleKeyboard/issues/136 https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/47rbys/mounting_plate_thickness/ https://hackaday.io/project/185358/log/215107-critical-dimensions-for-plate-and-case