Kailh Calligraphy switch
The Kailh Calligraphy is a linear mechanical switch with LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) top housing, LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) bottom housing, and MF (melamine formaldehyde) stem (standard). 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.
Where to buy Kailh Calligraphy switches?
Here are some notable keyboard shops offering Kailh Calligraphy 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeaverKeys | CA | 5.61 CAD / 10 pcs 5% off, KBDNEWS | 0.40 USD | buy | |
| DiviniKey | US | 7.20 USD / 18 pcs | 0.40 USD | buy | |
| ktechs | SG | 5.23 SGD / 10 pcs 5% off, KBDNEWS | 0.41 USD | buy | |
| Pantheonkeys | SG | 5.39 SGD / 10 pcs 2% off, KBDNEWS | 0.42 USD | buy | |
| UniKeys | CN | 4.00 USD / 10 pcs 7% off, KBDNEWS | 0.40 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!
Kailh Calligraphy data sheet
| Name | Kailh Calligraphy |
|---|---|
| Type | linear |
| Footprint | 5-pin |
| Top housing | LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) |
| Bottom housing | LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) |
| Stem | MF (melamine formaldehyde) standard |
| Spring | 20 mm single-stage extended KOS |
| Actuation | 42 g |
| Bottom-out | 50 g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.80 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! |
| Designer | Kailh |
| Manufacturer | Kailh |
Comments on Kailh Calligraphy 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.
Kailh Calligraphy alternatives
Here are some notable alternatives to the Kailh Calligraphy, 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear, 5-pin, KTT/POK/POK, 43/48gF, 1.9/3.5mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | Unikeys x BSUN Udon linear, 5-pin, PC/PA66 + 30% fiberglass/Y3X, 48/55gF, 2.0/3.6mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | HMX Caramel Pudding linear, 5-pin, PA12/PA66/UPE, 45/52gF, 2.0/3.6mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | HMX Macchiato V2 linear, 5-pin, PA12 Nylon/P2 Nylon/POK, 42/50gF, 2.0/3.8mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | XCJZ Chocolate Ball Bearing linear, 5-pin, PC/POM/POM, 38/50gF, 1.6/3.5mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | HMX YG Macchiato linear, 5-pin, PA12/Nylon/POK, 42/50gF, 2.0/4.0mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | KTT x 80Retros GAME 1989 Orange linear, 5-pin, PC/Nylon PA66/KT2, 40/50gF, 2.0/4.0mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | Keylist Kitty linear, 5-pin, PC/PA66/HPE, 45/50gF, 2.0/3.7mm | Compare | ||
| 88% | HMX Canglan V3 linear, 5-pin, PA12/PA66/UPE (sphere tip), 42/50gF, 2.0/3.8mm | Compare | ||
| 88% | HMX Swift V2 linear, 5-pin, PA12/PA30/LY, 42/50gF, 2.0/3.8mm | Compare | ||
| 88% | HMX Twilight linear, 5-pin, PA12/PA-2/LY, 42/50gF, 2.0/3.9mm | Compare | ||
To recap: we were looking for linear mechanical switches possibly with LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) top housing, LCP (lyquid crystal polymer) bottom housing, and MF (melamine formaldehyde) stem (standard). The 42g actuation occuring at 2mm. The 50g bottom-out being at around 3.80mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! — similar to the Kailh Calligraphy.