Custom Keyboard Kits

Keyboard kits: what's included and what else you need

A keyboard kit – often called a barebone – is the base of a custom keyboard. You get the case, the PCB with the electronics and the plate that holds the switches. Depending on the kit, stabilizers, foams, weights or a battery are included too. What exactly comes in the box is listed on every product page.

What else do you need?

• Switches: one per key – how many depends on size and layout. Linear, tactile or silent: browse our switches.
• Keycaps: a set that matches your kit's layout, e.g. ISO-DE or ANSI. All sets are under keycaps.
• Stabilizers: for the wide keys such as spacebar, shift and enter – if they aren't included already. Find matching ones among our stabilizers.

Hot-swap or solder?

With a hot-swap PCB you simply plug in the switches and can swap them later without soldering – ideal for getting started. A solder PCB is soldered and often supports more layout options in return. More in our guide Hot-swap keyboards.

Which size and layout?

Kits range from compact 40% and 60% boards to TKL and 96% keyboards. If you want to use keycaps with German legends, make sure the PCB and plate support the ISO layout. Our guide Keyboard sizes & layouts helps you choose.

Prefer it ready-built?

If you'd rather not build it yourself, you'll find fully assembled models among all mechanical keyboards.