Cherry MX Black switch
The Cherry MX Black is a linear mechanical switch with Nylon top housing, Nylon bottom housing, and POM stem (standard). It features a stainless steel spring. As with most magnetic switches, you can freely set the actuation/pre-travel. Bottom-out is at 4mm. Designed by Cherry. Manufactured by Cherry.
Where to buy Cherry MX Black switches?
Here are some notable keyboard shops offering Cherry MX Black switches. When available, the prices indicated already include the discount - use the KBDNEWS coupon code at checkout to claim your saving!
Currency:
| Store | Area | Offer | Price | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Keyboards | US | 0.19 USD / 1 pcs 5% off, KBDNEWSMK | 0.19 USD | buy |
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!
Cherry MX Black force curve

Cherry MX Black data sheet
| Name | Cherry MX Black |
|---|---|
| Type | linear |
| Footprint | 3-pin |
| Top housing | Nylon |
| Bottom housing | Nylon |
| Stem | POM standard |
| Spring | stainless steel |
| Actuation | customizable |
| Bottom-out | - g |
| Pre-travel | customizable |
| Total travel | 4 mm |
| Lube | unknown |
| Designer | Cherry |
| Manufacturer | Cherry |
Cherry MX Black alternatives
Here are some notable alternatives to the Cherry MX Black, our reference switch. Competitors with comparable specs across parameters like switch type, housing material, actuation and bottom-out forces and travel distances — even color. Not perfect matches but the closest results in order of similarity.
| Sim. | Similar switches | Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95% | Cherry MX Silent Red (plate mount) linear, 3-pin, Nylon/Nylon/POM, 45/0gF, 1.9/3.7mm | Compare | ||
| 94% | Cherry MX Speed Silver linear, 3-pin, Nylon/Nylon/POM, 45/0gF, 1.2/3.4mm | Compare | ||
| 91% | Gateron KS-9 Red linear, 3-pin, PC/Nylon/POM, 45/0gF, 2.0/4.0mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | Cherry MX Grey linear, 5-pin, Nylon/Nylon/POM, 80/0gF, 2.0/4.0mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | Gateron KS-3X47 Pro Yellow linear, 5-pin, Nylon/Nylon/POM, 50/0gF, 2.0/4.0mm | Compare | ||
| 87% | Gateron KS-33 Low Profile Red linear, 3-pin, PC/Nylon/POM, 50/0gF, 1.7/3.2mm | Compare | ||
| 87% | Cherry MX2A Silent Red (plate-mount RGB) linear, 3-pin, Nylon/Nylon/POM, 45/65gF, 1.9/3.7mm | Compare | ||
| 87% | KTT Cream Yellow Pro linear, 3-pin, PC/Nylon/POM, 50/58gF, 1.9/3.5mm | Compare | ||
| 87% | Cherry MX Red (PCB-mount) linear, 5-pin, //POM, 45/0gF, 2.0/4.0mm | Compare | ||
| 87% | Greetech Red linear, 3-pin, //, 45/0gF, 2.0/4.0mm | Compare | ||
| 86% | Gateron EF EverFree Curry linear, 5-pin, PC/Nylon/POM, 50/0gF, 2.0/4.0mm | Compare | ||
To recap: we were looking for linear mechanical switches possibly with Nylon top housing, Nylon bottom housing, and POM stem (standard). Bottom-out being about 4mm. — similar to the Cherry MX Black.