Customize your keyboard! Benefits of swapping keycaps and essential tools
By swapping keycaps, you can customize your keyboard to your preference. In this article, we explain the benefits of changing keycaps, keycap compatibility, and the tools required for replacement.
Modified at: 2025.6.17Posted at: 2023.3.7
Table Of Contents
Benefits of Swapping Keycaps
You Can Change the Design of Your Keyboard
By swapping out keycaps, you can change the design of your keyboard. For example, you can attach black keycaps to a white keyboard to create a different atmosphere, or change the color of each key to give your keyboard an original look.
Not only can you change the color, but you can also use different fonts for the legends on the keycaps, or, for advanced users, opt for "blank" keycaps with no legends at all for a more refined design.
On mechanical keyboards and gaming keyboards—favorites among users who care deeply about their keyboards—swapping keycaps is one of the most popular customizations.
Typing Feel Changes
The typing feel can change depending on the material and shape of the keycaps. For example, switching from ABS keycaps to PBT keycaps can improve the typing feel, and using stainless steel keycaps can give a more premium sound and touch when typing.
You might think, "The typing sound doesn't change that much, right?" However, the typing sound is not only affected by the key switches but also resonates through the keycaps, so the material can significantly alter the sound. For instance, changing from ABS keycaps to stainless steel keycaps can make the typing sound so different that it feels like the switch type has changed.
Since typing means you are touching the keycaps, replacing them with ones that are comfortable for you or that produce your preferred typing sound can reduce typing stress and make typing more enjoyable.
On mechanical keyboards, changing the key switches is the major way to customize typing feel, but you can also change the feel by customizing the keycaps.
Durability Improves
The durability of keycaps also varies depending on the material. PBT keycaps are more durable than ABS keycaps, so they are recommended for those who want to use their keyboard for a long time.
Points to Check Before Replacing Keycaps
Pay Attention to Keycap Compatibility
Keyboard keycaps are compatible with the part where the switch and keycap connect. The most widely compatible type of keyboard is the mechanical keyboard equipped with Cherry MX switches. Most commercially available keycaps are designed for mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX switches, so if your keyboard uses Cherry MX switches or Cherry MX-compatible Chinese switches, most keycaps will be compatible.
On the other hand, keyboards that do not use Cherry MX-compatible keycaps generally have very few compatible keycaps available. Therefore, on membrane keyboards or uniquely designed keyboards from Apple, Microsoft, and similar brands, it is usually not possible to replace the keycaps.
Assume You Will Replace All Keycaps
Keycap sizes differ depending on the product. When replacing keycaps, if the height and width do not match, keys can interfere with each other or have inconsistent heights, making typing difficult.
Therefore, even if the mounting mechanism is compatible, you should generally replace all the keycaps at once or ensure that any replacements are exactly the same size as the originals.
How to Replace Keycaps and Essential Tools
Replacing keycaps is a very simple task—just remove the old keycaps and attach the new ones—but having the right tools can make the process much more efficient.
Keycap Puller
A keycap puller is a tool designed to remove keycaps. By using a keycap puller, you can easily remove keycaps without damaging them.
On mechanical keyboards, it is possible to remove keycaps by hand without a keycap puller, but this risks bending or damaging the switch stems, so it is recommended to use a keycap puller.
Most mechanical keyboards come with a keycap puller included, but if not, you can purchase one online for a few hundred yen.
Since mechanical keyboard keycaps are generally designed to be similar in size, there are no compatibility issues with keycap pullers. If you have one, you can use it for a long time, so if you don't have one yet, it's a good idea to buy one.
If you are unsure which to choose, the FILCO "KeyPuller FKP01" is a reasonably priced and recommended option.
Screwdrivers
For most mechanical keyboards, the keycaps are exposed on the base plate, but in some cases, you may need to remove the base plate or cover to access the keycaps.
Keyboard covers are usually fixed with Phillips screws, but some may use hex or Torx screws, so be sure to check your keyboard and prepare the necessary tools.