Keycap Profile: An In-Depth Guide With Comparative Analysis

The mechanical keyboards allow for a great deal of customization to fit your preferences. Choosing a keycap profile is an excellent way to improve the feel and sound of your keyboard, so let's take a look at the differences between some of the most popular keycap profiles.

Here is a detailed profile guide that provides everything you need to know regarding keycaps’ characteristics. First and foremost, you should understand what a keycap profile is and why you should customize it. 

What are Keycap Profiles?

Keycap profiles are categories that describe the shape, curvature, and size of the keycaps on a keyboard, which are the parts you press while typing. They come in different styles: some have uniform shapes and heights across all rows, while others are sculpted with varying heights to match how your fingers move naturally.

Types of Keycap Profiles

Keycap profiles vary widely based on height, top shape, and row shape. Let’s dive into each type and explore their unique characteristics.

	Types	Characteristics	Popular profiles	Suitable for
Keycap height	High	Have deeper key travel Good tactile feedback while typing	SA, GK2, THAI HAO	Typists  Writers
	Medium	Ergonomic support and a sleek design Excellent tactile response and feedback	XDA, NP, ASA, GK1,	Typists  Gamers
	Low	Have shorter key travel Generally lighter and more compact	Cherry, OEM, KAT, DSA, MDA	People who like a shorter travel distance and a more compact keyboard
Shape	Sculpted	Different shapes and heights for each row	Cherry, OEM, DSS	Typists  Gamers
	Uniform	Flat and consistent across all keys	KAT, XDA, DSA, SA,DOM, NP	Gamers
Row shape	Spherical	3D curve with a small indentation on top	KAT, SA, ASA, MDA	Users who enjoy a comfortable, rounded feel for typing and gaming
	Cylindrical	2D curved shape similar to a valley	GK1, GK2, THAI HAO	Users seeking ergonomic typing experience
	Flat	No curve on the typing surface	XDA, DSA,	Typists seeking a consistent typing feel

High vs Medium vs Low Profiles

Keycap profiles come in different heights, categorized as high, medium, or low, ranging from 2.3mm - 16.5mm. The height can be uniform across the keyboard or vary between different rows for a unique feel.

High-profile keycaps are great for typists and writers who value comfort and tactile feedback. Their taller design offers a satisfying, ergonomic feel that makes long typing sessions more enjoyable. These keycaps also have a classic look that many find appealing. However, they may not be suitable for gamers or fast typers, as the extra height can slow down quick presses.

Medium profile keycaps are versatile keycaps that offer a comfortable typing experience, striking a nice balance between ergonomic support and a sleek design. Great for both typists and gamers, they deliver satisfying tactile feedback. However, they might not be suitable for those who prefer the extra speed of low-profile keyboards, as the lower keycaps provide a quicker response for fast-paced gaming. 

Low-profile keycaps are designed to make keyboards thinner and more streamlined. They offer a faster, more responsive typing experience due to their reduced height. However, they might not be suitable for heavy typists or gamers who love the deep, tactile feedback of traditional keycaps.

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Below are the names of popular keycap styles that are compatible with different heights of keycaps:

• High (12mm - 16.5mm): SA, THAI HAO
• Medium (9mm - 12mm): ASA, GK1, MDA, XDA, NP
• Low (2.3mm - 9mm): Cherry, OEM, KAT, DSA, G20

Sculpted vs Uniform Keycap Profiles

In terms of profile type, they fall into two categories: Sculpted and Uniform. Let's take a closer look at the unique features of each type and their impact on use.

Sculpted keycaps are designed with varying shapes and heights for each row. Their different heights and angles create a curved keyboard surface, which helps improve typing ergonomics and makes the overall typing experience more pleasant.

Uniform keycaps are keys with the same shape and height or appear flat in profile. Many people like them because they offer a consistent typing experience across all keys, which can be useful for gaming.

Spherical vs Cylindrical vs Flat Profiles

Profile keycaps can be categorized into three types based on their row shape, each offering unique designs that enhance comfort and typing efficiency. Let’s explore these different types now: 

Spherical profile keycaps feature a rounded, 3D curve with a small indentation on top, resembling a tiny crater. This unique design offers a distinctive look and can enhance grip, making typing more comfortable and enjoyable for users.

Cylindrical profile keycaps have a 2D curved shape similar to a valley, where the edges are higher and the center is lower. This design guides your fingers toward the middle of each key, making typing more comfortable and accurate.

Flat profile keycaps have a completely level surface with no curve or dip. This design means the typing area is even across the entire key, providing a uniform feel for your fingers and making it easier to move between keys without any guidance.

10+ Most Popular Keycap Profile

Discover the 10+ most popular keycap profiles, each offering unique features and styles. Let’s explore these top choices to find the perfect fit for your keyboard!

Cherry Profile

These keycaps feature angled tops and sculpted rows. The Cherry profile offers a good balance of comfort and performance at 9.4mm tall. Though less common, they’re popular among writers, gamers, and professionals for their speed and accuracy.

OEM Profile

The keycaps are commonly found on pre-built mechanical keyboards. Standing 11.9mm tall with angled tops, these medium OEM profile keycaps are great for typing, gaming, and everyday use, providing a comfortable and efficient typing experience.

SA Profile

These keycaps are 16.5mm tall, making them some of the tallest available. They have angled, concave tops and sculpted rows. While their height might make them less comfortable for some, SA profiles are not designed for speed. However, they’re a solid choice if you prefer the feel of taller keycaps for general use.

KAT Profile

The keycaps have slanted, indented tops and rows that follow the natural curve of your fingers. They're about 13.5mm tall, making them shorter than other keycaps like SA. Many users consider KAT keycaps to be a more streamlined version of SA keycaps, offering a smoother typing experience.

MT3 Profile

MT3 Profile keycaps are about 16.5mm tall, like SA keycaps. They have a distinct design with unique angles and sharper corners on their concave tops, making them stand out in both appearance and feel.

DSA Profile

DSA keycaps are 7.6mm tall, making them ideal for those who like the speed of low-profile keycaps. They have concave tops and a consistent row shape, similar to XDA keycaps, but with a shorter height.

KAM Profile

The KAM keycap profile offers a uniform design where all rows share the same shape and height, measuring 19.05mm. This consistent layout makes it easy to adapt to, whether you’re typing or gaming.  

XDA Profile

They have flat tops and rows that are all the same height, making them ideal for fast typing. If you’re used to curved keycaps, it may take some time to adjust to XDA keycaps. However, the 9.1mm height of XDA keycaps can make the transition easier compared to even lower profile keycaps.

Fun fact: By combining the XDA Profile and Ortholiner keyboards, you can exponentially increase your typing speed.

Other Keycap Profiles

In addition to the popular keycap types, many other keycap profiles are available, offering various shapes and designs for customizing your mechanical keyboard. Let’s explore some of these options:

• JDA Profile: JDA keycaps are lower in height compared to traditional profiles like SA. If you prefer a keycap with a more modest height and find SA’s height uncomfortable, JDA is an excellent alternative without needing a palm rest.
• OSA Profile: The keycaps have a uniform height across all rows, making them lower than taller profiles like SA or some Cherry variations. 
• ASA Profile: ASA profile keycaps are about 2mm taller than OEM but 2mm shorter than SA. Their slightly sloped tops enhance comfort by letting your fingers rest naturally on the keys, which helps reduce strain and fatigue during long typing sessions.
• GK1: The GK1 profile keycap features a medium height with a cylindrical top and a slightly sculpted row shape. This design strikes a nice balance, offering comfortable typing with a gentle curve that guides your fingers naturally across the keyboard.
• GK2: The GK2 Profile Keycap is a tall keycap with a cylindrical top. The row shape is slightly sculpted, making it comfortable to type on.
• G20: G20 keycaps are low-profile, with angled tops and uniform rows. This design offers a sleek look and consistent feel across all keys.
• THAI HAO: The GK2 profile keycap is tall with a cylindrical top and heavily sculpted rows. This design provides a distinctive curve that improves typing comfort by guiding your fingers and making each key easier to press.
• MDA: MDA keycaps are medium-height with a slightly concave, spherical top, making typing more comfortable. Their uniform shape across all rows provides a consistent feel, enhancing the typing experience by keeping everything even and balanced.

Keycap Profiles Comparison Chart

Let’s examine a comparison chart of keycap profiles to understand the differences in height, top of keycap, and row shape, helping you choose the right keycaps for your keyboard.

Profile	Height	Top of Keycap	Row Shape	Availability
JDA	Medium - 8.52mm	Spherical	Sculpted	Quite new
OSA	Medium - 10.7mm	Shallow spherical	Uniform	Widely available from various retailers
ASA	Medium - 13.5mm	Spherical	Slightly sculpted	Less common, limited options
GK1	Medium - 11mm	Cylindrical	Slightly sculpted	Popular, sought after by keyboard fans
GK2	Tall - 16.3mm	Cylindrical	Slightly sculpted	Favored by keyboard enthusiasts
G20	Short - 7.6mm	Flat	Uniform	Not popular
THAI HAO	Tall - 14.8mm	Cylindrical	Heavily Sculpted	Less popular
MDA	Short - 7.45mm	Spherical	Sculpted	Widely used among keyboard enthusiasts

Which Keycap Profile is the Best for Typing? 

When choosing the best keycap profile for typing, comfort and ease of use are key. Look for profiles that reduce wrist strain and minimize the distance your fingers need to stretch. Cherry keycaps are a great choice because they have a lower profile, so your hands stay closer to the keyboard, which helps prevent wrist fatigue.

If you prefer something more sculpted, SA keycaps offer very pronounced ergonomic molding, making them ideal for long typing sessions as they support a natural hand position. XDA keycaps are another excellent option, known for their flat and wide shape, which some people find very comfortable. For maximum efficiency, combining different keycap profiles with best keyboards for writers or Topre switches can enhance the overall typing experience.

Which Keycap Profile is the Best for Gaming? 

For gaming, keycap profiles should help you easily find and press the right keys quickly. Cherry and OEM keycaps are great choices because they have ergonomic designs with curved tops that make it easier to grip the keys. This helps with fast and accurate keypresses during intense gaming sessions. 

If you’re searching for the best gaming keyboards under $100, look for models with these profiles. For those looking to invest in high-end options, some of the world’s most expensive keyboards also feature Cherry or OEM profiles for optimal gaming performance. Or if you prefer a more compact setup with a 75% layout, you can check out the best 75% gaming keyboards.

Can You Switch Keycap Profiles? 

Yes, you can switch keycap profiles but it can be challenging because keycaps are not universal. This means each different profile has distinct heights, shapes, and angles. For example, Cherry profile keycaps are 9.4mm tall, while OEM profiles are 11.9mm tall, so mixing them directly isn't practical.

If you want to combine keycaps from different profiles, make sure they are of the same type, either sculpted or uniform. Also, try choosing similar keycaps in height, shape, and angle to keep your keyboard cohesive and balanced. This will help avoid a mismatched or odd appearance.

In general, you can switch Cherry Profile keycaps with XDA Profile ones since they fit the same switches. Similarly, XDA Profile keycaps can be swapped with ASA Profile keycaps without any issues. You can even pair Cherry Profile keycaps made of PBT with OEM Profile keycaps made of ABS, though they might look and feel a bit different.

Here are six steps to switch keycap profiles:

1. Choose your keycap profiles: Decide which keycap profiles you want to use. Remember to pick keycaps of the same type, like sculpted or uniform, to ensure consistency.

2. Gather your tools: Get a keycap puller to remove the old keycaps and a clean cloth to keep your keyboard in good shape.

3. Remove existing keycaps: Use the keycap puller to lift off the old keycaps from your keyboard carefully. Be gentle to avoid damaging the switches.

4. Clean the keyboard: With the old keycaps removed, take the opportunity to clean the keyboard surface if needed.

5. Install new keycaps: Align the new keycaps with the switches and press them down firmly until they snap into place.

6. Test and adjust: Once all keycaps are installed, test each key to ensure they’re secure and functioning correctly. Make any necessary adjustments for a perfect fit.

Check out our video below for a simple, step-by-step guide on how to change your keycaps effortlessly - making your keyboard look and feel just the way you want!

Related Articles

• What are the best keycap pullers and how to make one?
• How to clean your mechanical keyboard safely and easily?
• How to remove keycaps without tool?

Do Keycap Profiles Make A Big Difference In Sound? 

Yes, keycap profiles do impact keyboard sound. Taller keycaps, or those with a higher profile, often produce a louder sound. This is because their increased height causes them to bottom out more noticeably, creating a sharper impact noise. 

In contrast, shorter keycaps may dampen the sound. Consider choosing some best sounding keycaps to enhance your typing experience, making it more enjoyable and comfortable as you type. Among the keycaps we discussed, the KAM Profile at 19.05mm is the loudest, while the MDA Profile, with a height of 7.45mm, is the quietest.

In conclusion

the keyboard's overall keycap press experience relies heavily on keycap profiles. That is why you must educate yourself on them and ensure that you select the best one for your keyboarding experience. Changing a new keycap set for our keyboard is always exciting and challenging, but with the proper knowledge, it becomes simple.

We hope we were able to assist you in understanding the differences between types of keycap profiles and guiding you in selecting your first keycap set.

Here at Hirosart, we provide artisan custom keycaps that make your setting much more pleasing to the eyes without compromising the comfort and ease of use. Check out our collection. We got more to show you!