Building a custom mechanical keyboard from scratch involves every decision, from the barebones kit and PCB to the switches, keycaps and layout. This guide follows each stage so the finished board suits both the workspace and the way it will be used.
Choosing your first keyboard kit
A first keyboard kit requires just three essential components to function: a barebones base, a compatible switch set and a matching keycap set. Stabilizers are also essential for larger keys, though they are often included with barebones kits. Foam, artisan keycaps and other accessories are optional.
Essential parts and the PCB
Building a custom keyboard for beginners becomes much less daunting once the role of each component is clear. The PCB is the electronic core of the board: switches and stabilizers mount directly onto it, and it may use hot-swap or soldered connections. A hot-swap PCB accepts switches through a socket without soldering, making it a practical starting point for anyone who wants to assemble and adjust a board without specialist tools.
The plate sits between the PCB and the keycaps, keeping each switch housing aligned before it is seated or soldered. Around these internal components, the keyboard case affects rigidity, acoustics and physical compatibility. Aluminium is the predominant material in enthusiast-grade barebones kits at Krome Keyboards. Stabilizers fit beneath larger keys, including Space, Enter and Shift, to reduce lateral wobble during everyday use.
Finding the right size
Size determines which keys are present and how much desk space the board occupies, making it the first structural choice in any custom keyboard guide. Krome Keyboards offers barebones kits in 65%, 75%, TKL and full-size formats for different working styles. Ergonomic options, including the Alice layout, extend the range for users who prioritise wrist comfort over a conventional rectangular footprint.
- 65% layout Retains dedicated arrow keys while removing the function row and navigation cluster. It suits typists who want a compact footprint without losing directional navigation.
- 75% layout Adds the function row above the alphanumeric block, providing a practical step up for users who regularly rely on F-key shortcuts.
- TKL (tenkeyless) Removes only the number pad, preserving the full function row, arrow keys and navigation cluster. It suits beginners moving from a standard full-size board.
- Full-size Includes every key group, including the number pad. It suits users who frequently enter numerical data and cannot afford to retrain muscle memory.
Once the size is settled, the ISO keyboard standard becomes important for a UK build. The ISO layout includes 105 keys, one more than ANSI, and places a tall, L-shaped Enter key across two rows. Most keycap sets sold for UK users follow this format, so the physical key count affects compatibility at purchase.
| Size | Key count (ISO) | Has F-row | Has arrow keys | Has numpad |
| 65% | ~68 | No | Yes | No |
| 75% | ~84 | Yes | Yes | No |
| TKL | 88 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Full-size | 105 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Switches and keycap choices
Switch type determines the feel of the finished build, so it deserves attention early in the process. Linear switches move smoothly from top to bottom without a tactile event. Tactile switches add a noticeable bump during travel, while clicky switches combine that bump with an audible click. Cherry MX switches cover all three actuation types; low-profile options such as the Kailh Choc V2 range offer tactile, linear and silent variants in a slimmer housing.
- Linear Consistent, smooth travel without a bump or click. This suits fast typists and gamers who prefer uninterrupted downstroke feedback.
- Tactile A bump at the actuation point provides physical confirmation without added sound. Tactile switches are popular in offices where clicky switches could be disruptive.
- Clicky Audible and tactile feedback accompanies every keystroke. Cherry MX Blue and Green clicky variants are rated over 50 million actuations rather than 100 million.
- Low-profile (Choc) The Kailh Choc V2 range sits considerably lower than MX-height switches, producing a slimmer board. It is available in tactile, linear and silent variants for different acoustic preferences.
On most standard switches, keycaps attach to the stem through an MX-style keycap mount, opening compatibility with a broad range of aftermarket sets. Low-profile Choc switches use a different mounting system, so compatibility should be confirmed before purchase. Users moving from OEM-profile keycaps often find the Cherry profile a natural next step because its sculpt is similar but lower.
Comparing a Keychron keyboard kit
Keychron produces barebones and pre-built options alongside dedicated custom platforms. The difference comes down to PCB flexibility: a custom mechanical keyboard built through the Krome Keyboards configurator lets the user select the layout, switch type and keycap set independently, while displaying a compatibility warning when a combination would mismatch. Keychron kits typically arrive in more constrained configurations with predetermined PCB formats.
For further technical context, a guide to hot-swappable Hall effect switches explains the PCB-level requirements separating magnetic switches from standard MX-style options. Users comparing physical formats can also consult the ANSI versus ISO layout differences when deciding whether a US-format board suits a UK software environment.
Frequently asked questions
What parts are needed to build a custom keyboard?
Three main elements are required to make a custom keyboard functional: a barebones base containing the keyboard case, plate and PCB; compatible switches; and a keycap set. The PCB determines whether the build uses hot-swap or soldered connections. For a first keyboard builder, a hot-swap PCB with a socket for each switch position is the most accessible option because switches can be installed, removed and changed without specialist tools or heat.
Stabilizers are also needed for larger keys, although barebones kits often include them. The remaining components are optional accessories, selected according to the intended layout, typing feel and appearance.
How does a custom keyboard build differ from buying a pre-built board?
A custom keyboard build allows each component to be selected separately: the layout, switch type, keycap profile and plate mounting style can all be tailored, while a pre-built board fixes most of these choices at the factory. The Krome Keyboards configurator highlights incompatible combinations during selection and offers professional assembly for customers who prefer not to assemble the board themselves. The estimated build time is 11 to 13 working days.
The difference comes down to more than the initial price. Specialised designs such as the Ferris Sweep and the split ergonomic Lily58 show why a custom route can make sense when an equivalent pre-built board is unavailable at the same specification. Replacing one switch set also costs a fraction of replacing the entire board.
Can Hall effect switches be used in any hot-swap keyboard?
Hall effect switches are not compatible with standard hot-swap sockets. A conventional hot-swap PCB detects a keypress through metal contact closure, whereas a Hall effect switch uses a magnet detected by a dedicated Hall sensor embedded in the PCB. A magnetic switch may fit physically into a standard socket, but without that sensor it sends no input signal to the firmware.
Hall effect switches therefore require a purpose-built board with an individual Hall sensor for every key, a microcontroller capable of 8,000 Hz polling and dedicated firmware. After replacing a switch on a Hall effect board, recalibration is mandatory: the firmware records the new switch’s resting magnetic signal and maps its complete 4.0 mm travel range before use.