The Kailh Calligraphy and HMX Twilight switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the linear breed. They both feature standard stem shape, 42 g actuation, 50 g bottom-out force, 2 mm pre-travel, however, they come with different top housing (LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) vs PA12), bottom housing (LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) vs PA-2), stem material (MF (melamine formaldehyde) vs LY), spring (20 mm single-stage extended KOS vs 20 mm KOS single-stage extended), total travel (3.80 mm vs 3.85 mm). That said, they are only slightly similar. Let's check out this side-by-side specs rundawn with details, availability -- and even current prices -- to figure out which one fits you the best!
The Kailh Calligraphy is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) top housing, LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) bottom housing, and MF (melamine formaldehyde) stem (standard shape). It features a 20 mm single-stage extended KOS spring. The 42g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 50g bottom-out occurs at 3.80mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by Kailh. Manufactured by Kailh. | The HMX Twilight is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with PA12 top housing, PA-2 bottom housing, and LY stem (standard shape). It features a 20 mm KOS single-stage extended spring. The 42g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 50g bottom-out occurs at 3.85mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Manufactured by HMX. |
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| Name | Kailh Calligraphy | HMX Twilight |
|---|---|---|
| Type | linear | linear |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) | PA12 |
| Bottom housing | LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) | PA-2 |
| Stem material | MF (melamine formaldehyde) | LY |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | 20 mm single-stage extended KOS | 20 mm KOS single-stage extended |
| Actuation | 42 g | 42 g |
| Bottom-out | 50 g | 50 g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.80 mm | 3.85 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! | Factory lubing? Yes! Mixed GPL105&GPL205 on leaf spring, stem feet, and bottom housing rails. |
| Designer | Kailh | - |
| Manufacturer | Kailh | HMX |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that the HMX Twilight is available at a single shop at the moment, while the Kailh Calligraphy can be found in multiple stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering Kailh Calligraphy and HMX Twilight switches. When accepted, the prices indicated already include the discount - use the KBDNEWS coupon code at checkout to claim your saving!
Prices, discounts, and stock status are checked regularly; however, changes since the last update cannot be ruled out. Everything here is for informational purposes only. Check the product pages for the latest prices!
Comments on Kailh Calligraphy switches | Comments on HMX Twilight switches |
The Calligraphy switch is definitely one of the most unique switches of 2025. Kailh went above and beyond, creating customized stem and housing molds just for the MF and LCP materials used to manufacture this switch. The results are nice. Calligraphy switches have a clean, loud, full, and clacky sound profile. These switches don't have any ticking or spring noise, not even a bit. Factory lubing is on point which makes them super smooth. Furthermore, they come with a satisfying scratchy and grainy feeling. They probably have the best non-Cherry scratch there is. Even better than Kailh BCP which was known for having the pleasing scratchy feeling – Unikeys. | The HMX Twilight linear switch can be seen as a Cheese switch with a longer travel. It has the same materials as the Cheese switches, but the total travel is now around 3.85mm. The change in travel distance makes the Twilight switches a tiny bit quieter and lower-pitched than Cheese, but they are still the OG clacky HMX switch you are familiar with. |
