Ask tengamersabout their keyboard switch preferences, and you’ll likely spark a debate that rivals console wars. The divide between linear and clicky switches runs deep in gaming circles, with each side convinced their choice gives them the edge.

But beyond personal preference, there are real differences worth considering before dropping cash on your next gaming keyboard. In this article, we are going to look at all the differences that matter, and decide on which type suits your needs. Let’s take a look.

Image of a linear switch keyboard on a neon themed background.

How Linear And Clicky Switches Work

The key distinction is right in the name. Linear switches travel straight down with consistent resistance.No bumps or clicks… just a smooth ride from top to bottom. You might recognize popular names likeCherry MX Reds, Gateron Yellows, and similar lineupsfrom Razer and SteelSeries.

Clicky switches throw subtlety out the window. They feature a tactile bump and audible click when the key activates. That distinctive sound comes from Cherry MX Blues, Kailh Box Whites, and other switches designed to let you (and everyone nearby) know exactly when a key registers.

Image of a man playing video games on a PC on a desk. he is wearing headphones.

These design differences create vastly different typing and gaming experiences.Linear switches feel smooth and direct, while clicky switches provide deliberate feedback with each keystroke.

If we look deeper at the mechanics, linear switches use a straight stem and spring design. When pressed, the stem moves straight down, eventually allowing metal contacts to touch and complete the circuit.Clicky switches bring in a little complexity with additional moving parts. Most use either a “click jacket” design (like Cherry MX Blues) or a “click bar” mechanism (like Kailh Box switches).

Image of a clicky keyboard switch on the background of a moon.

These extra componentscreate both the tactile bump you feel and the clicking sound you hear. The click happens precisely at the actuation point, the moment when the keystroke registers, giving you multi-sensory feedback.

Why Linear Switches Usually Win In Gaming

For competitive gaming, linear switches generally have the edge in raw performance. Without a tactile bump to overcome, keys register more quickly, especially during rapid or repeated presses. Most gaming-grade linear switches activate around 1.2-2mm into the keystroke, while clicky switches typically need slightly more travel before registering.

This difference becomes noticeable in games where you need to react super-fast or just need to tap a lot. Let’s unpack a couple of things real quick.

Image of the specs of a Redragon mechanical keyboard, outlining its gaming potential.

Actuation Force

Linear gaming switches typically require 45–60 grams of force to activate, with “speed” variants sometimes dropping to 35-45g.Clicky switches generally need 50-60g, with the extra force needed to overcome the tactile bump. Lower actuation force = less finger fatigue during marathon gaming sessions, giving linear switches a slight edge for endurance.

Actuation Point

This is where the key actually registers input. Gaming-focused linear switches have steadily moved this point higher in the keystroke, from the traditional 2mm down to as little as 1mm in some “speed” variants.

This means you don’t need to press the key as far before it registers, shaving precious milliseconds off reaction times.Clicky switches typically maintain a more standard 2-2.2mm actuation point, as moving it would disconnect it from the tactile feedback.

Image of a man typing on a mechanical keybaord.

Reset Point

After pressing a key, it needs to return to a certain point before it can be pressed again. This matters tremendously for rapid, repeated keypresses.Linear switches typically have a reset point very close to their actuation point, allowing for “floating” techniques where you keep keys hovering near activation.

Clicky switches often have a more pronounced difference between actuation and reset(called hysteresis), requiring more key travel between presses.

Image of a keyboard on a cracked concrete ground, representing its durability.

Travel Distance

Total key travel ranges from 3.5-4mm for most switches, with gaming variants sometimes reduced to 3-3.5mm. Shorter travel means less finger movement, potentially improving speed. Both linear and clicky switches come in short-travel variants, though they’re more common in linear options.

The speed advantage has made linear switches standard equipment for most esports pros. Watch any major tournament, and you’ll find most competitors using keyboards with red, yellow, or speed switches rather than the louder, clicky alternatives.

Image of a man contemplating things at a PC desk

However, clicky switches offer their own performance advantage:certainty.The tactile bump and sound provide unmistakable confirmation when a key registers. In games where precise, deliberate inputs matter more than raw speed (think MMOs with complex ability rotations or strategy games with critical command inputs), a lot of players actually perform better with that clear feedback.

Noise: The War Between Clicks And Clacks

Let’s address the obvious: clicky switches are loud. That distinctive sound that feels so satisfying when you’re gaming alone becomes considerably less charming to roommates at 2 AM or colleagues in an open office. The typical clicky switch produces about as much noise as a normal conversation, making them potentially disruptive in shared spaces.

Justhowloud are we talking?Most clicky switches operate in the 65-75 decibel range, which is comparable to a normal conversation or busy office. Some of the more aggressive options like Kailh Box Navies can push past 75 decibels,approaching the volume of a vacuum cleaner. Compare that to linear switches, which typically generate 40–55 decibels(similar to a quiet library or soft background music).

The sound characteristics differ too. Linear switches produce a softer “thock” when bottoming out, plus the “clack” of the key returning to position. Clicky switches add a sharp, high-pitched click at the actuation point, creating a more complex sound profile that cuts through background noise more effectively, for better or worse.

Linear switches aren’t exactly silent, especially if you’re an aggressive typist who bottoms out keys, but they producesubstantially less noise. For gamers who share living spaces, stream with open mics, or play while on Discord with friends, the quieter operation of linear switches can be a major selling point.

The noise difference extends beyond consideration for others. For streamers and content creators, keyboard sounds can dominate microphone audio, even with decent noise suppression. Nothing drowns out your witty commentary quite like the machine-gun fire of clicky switches during an intense gaming moment, which is why it might help togo for a quieter option.

Customization: Switches Are Just The Beginning

Thanks to the massive surge that mechanical keyboards have had in gaming, we now have unprecedented customization options for both switch types. For example, linear switches come in dozens of variants with different spring weights, stem designs (standard, long, short), housing materials (nylon, polycarbonate, UHMWPE), and factory lubrication status.

Some good options you should be keeping an eye out for include theCherry MX Reds,Gateron Yellows,Razer Linear Opticals, andSilver “Speed” variants.

If you’re on team clicky, you can consider theCherry MX Blues,Kailh Box Whites,Kailh Box Jades/Navies, or theRazer Green.

Beyond what’s already on the market, the customization rabbit hole goes deeper for those in the know. A lot of enthusiasts modify their switches with things like aftermarket springs for custom resistance curves, switching films to reduce housing wobble, or even manual lubrication to reduce friction (primarily for linears).

Gaming keyboards increasingly support hot-swapping, allowing you to try different switches without soldering. This feature has made switch experimentation much more accessible, letting gamers find their perfect match through actual testing rather than online reviews. So I’d say both clicky and linear switches are pretty evenly matched in this department.

How Switch Feel Impacts Long Gaming Sessions

Beyond performance, how switches feel during extended gaming sessions significantly impacts your experience. Linear switches maintain consistent resistance throughout the keystroke, which some gamers find more comfortable for extended periods.

The smooth action puts less stress on finger joints and allows for a lighter touch once you’ve developed proper technique. For games requiring sustained key presses (holding W to move forward, for instance), the consistent resistance of linear switches can reduce finger fatigue.

Clicky switches demand a more deliberate keystroke, with force building until you overcome the tactile bump, then suddenly dropping off. This variable resistance provides more physical feedback but can cause finger fatigue during marathon sessions, particularly on heavily-used gaming keys. The higher actuation force of most clicky switches compounds this effect.

However, some gamers find thepositive feedback of clicky switches actually improves comfort by confirming successful keypresses without needing to bottom out keys.This can potentially reduce impact forces on fingertips during extended play, assuming you develop the right technique.

Those with joint sensitivity often prefer lighter linear switches that require minimal force, while others find the tactile feedback of clicky switches helps them avoid pressing too hard, reducing overall strain.

How Long Will Your Switches Last?

Both switch types from reputable manufacturers will last for years of heavy gaming. Most quality mechanical switches are rated for 50-100 million keypresses, far beyond what even dedicated gamers will reach on most keys.

When switches do eventually wear out, they tend to fail differently.Linear switches typically develop inconsistent resistance or “scratchiness” rather than failing outright.Clicky switches might lose their distinctive click while still functioning, essentially becoming inconsistent tactile switches.

The internal mechanisms tell the story. Linear switches have fewer moving parts – primarily just the stem, spring, and metal contacts. With less mechanical complexity, there’s less that can go wrong, though the smooth action can deteriorate as lubricants wear out and plastics develop friction.

Clicky switches contain additional moving parts(like the click jacket or bar mechanism), adding more potential failure points. The small metal click bar in Kailh Box switches or the plastic click jacket in Cherry MX Blues can wear down over time, losing its crisp feel and sound while the switch itself continues functioning.

For gaming specifically,the most-used keys (typically WASD, Space, and Shift) wear out faster than others.This uneven wear sometimes creates an odd experience where frequently used keys feel different from the rest of the keyboard after extensive use.

Many modern gaming keyboards now feature hot-swappable switches, allowing replacement of individual worn-out switches without needing a complete keyboard replacement, which is a massive advantage for heavy users who might wear out specific keys.

Pro Players Have Spoken: Here’s What They Use

Among professional gamers, particularly in reflex-intensive genres like first-person shooters and MOBAs, linear switches are the dominant party. Roughly three-quarters of esports pros use linear switches, with variants of Cherry MX Reds being particularly popular.

Looking at specific games:

This preference makes sense given the small but measurable speed advantage linears provide. At the highest competitive levels, even marginal improvements in execution speed can make a difference. However, switch preferences show interesting variation across gaming genres.

Some fighting game pros prefer keyboards with clicky switchesfor their clear feedback during precise combo execution. Similarly, certain strategy games and MMO players at high levels choose clicky or tactile switches for ability confirmation and precision control.

Which One ShouldYouChoose?

With all that in mind, how do you decide which switch type suits your gaming needs?

Linear switches make sense if:

Clicky switches might be your thing if:

For the undecided, tactile switches offer a middle ground, providing a bump without the loud click. Options likeCherry MX Brownsgive feedback similar to clicky switches while generating substantially less noise.

Many serious gamers eventually end up with multiple keyboards for different purposes, perhaps a linear board for competitive play and a clicky one for more casual gaming or typing. In my opinion, though, unless you have a specific reason to prefer tactile feedback, 90% of competitive players will be better off starting with linear switches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do temperature and humidity affect different switch types?

More than you might expect. Linear switches tend to get slightly stiffer in cold environments, while some clicky mechanisms can become less crisp in high humidity. This is rarely noticeable in climate-controlled rooms but might affect outdoor events or unheated spaces. Switch lubricants also perform differently at temperature extremes.

Will switching from membrane to ANY mechanical keyboard improve my gaming?

Almost certainly. Even the “worst” mechanical switch outperforms membrane keyboards in responsiveness, consistency, and durability.Membrane keyboardshave a mushy feel with inconsistent actuation points, making precise timing more difficult.

Will lubing my switches really make a difference for gaming?

For linear switches, proper lubrication makes a noticeable difference. It brings down the friction, eliminates scratch, and creates a smoother keystroke that can improve gaming comfort during long sessions. For clicky switches, lubing is more complicated. Too much of it can dampen the click mechanism and end up defeating the whole purpose.