What Are Mechanical Keyboard Orings?

What are mechanical keyboard Orings? They are a one-time investment that can successfully eliminate (dampen) the noise produced by mechanical switches.

Guides & Resources

Sep 17 2017

You've recently purchased a mechanical keyboard and couldn't be happier. It's like a whole new experience for your fingers, no matter if you're using it for gaming or typing purposes. But, while mechanical keyboards are much superior to membrane keyboards in almost all aspects, you may still come across an issue or two. The most notable one being the distinct clicking (and sometimes annoying) noise mechanical keys make whenever you press them. Fortunately, this is where O-rings come into play. But wait... What are mechanical keyboard Orings?

If you've never heard about O-rings before, don't worry. They are a one-time investment that can successfully eliminate (dampen) the noise produced by mechanical switches. Every O-ring cushions the blow of the switch and the keycap, thus making your typing/gaming experience all the more silent.

How mechanical keyboard Orings work

This is actually quite simple. With every keystroke, you squish the O-Ring between the top of the switch housing and its cross-shaped support (most switches have this support). That's when the O-ring absorbs the noise and shock from said keystroke.

O-rings can help dampen the noise of any mechanical keyboard.
                                                                               Original Photo Source

Mechanical Keyboard orings size guide

Okay, so far it's clear that O-Rings can make any mechanical keyboard silent. However, that's not their only benefit. They also change the way your keys feel to the touch, as you type, while softening the blow. That's why it's important to choose the right size (thickness) when buying O-Rings:

Type Thickness Hardness* Material Color Result
40A Thick 2.5mm (⇔ 0.098 inch) 40A Silicone  Clear/Translucent Soft press, short press length
40A Thin 1.5mm (⇔ 0.059 inch) 40A Silicone  Clear/Translucent Soft press, long press length
70A Thick 2.5mm (⇔ 0.098 inch) 70A  Silicone  Clear/Translucent Hard press, short press length
70A Thin 1.5mm (⇔ 0.059 inch) 70A  Silicone  Clear/Translucent Hard press, long press length

* 40A means a material hardness of 40 on the Shore Durometer A Scale - Higher values indicate harder materials.

Here are some essentials you should know:

  • The thicker the O-Ring, the shorter the distance you have to press before a key is registered.
  • The lower hardness value, the softer the key will feel to the touch.
  • None of the O-Rings we offer interfere with your RGB keyboard.
  • Silicone is generally considered a great material that can help you achieve softness with every keystroke.
Still not sure which O-Rings you should get for your mechanical keyboard? The 40A-Thin is a great choice if you're just getting started.

    O-ring installation

    O-rings are an important addition to your keyboard accessories. What is left now is for you to purchase the best orings for mechanical keyboards and install them. Here's a video that will show you how it's done.