Classic Linear Feel
MX2A Red provides a straightforward linear keystroke with no tactile bump or intentional click.
CHERRY · MX2A SERIES
CHERRY MX2A Red Switches
CHERRY MX2A Red is a classic light linear mechanical switch with 45 cN actuation, 2.0 mm pre-travel and 4.0 mm total travel. With no tactile bump or intentional click, it delivers a straightforward linear keystroke for typing, gaming and everyday mechanical keyboard builds.
CHERRY MX2A RED01 / 03
CHERRY MX2A Red · Product view
A closer look.
Every detail matters.
Every detail matters.
$3.50USD
10 switches · $0.35 / switch
3-Pin · 10 switches
MX2A-L1NA
In stock
Price and availability are checked by KeebPilot at checkout.
02 / THE ESSENTIALS
CHERRY MX2A Red at a Glance
- Type
- Linear
- Actuation
- 45 cN
- Pre-Travel
- 2.0 mm
- Total Travel
- 4.0 mm
- Mount
- 3-Pin / 5-Pin
- Durability
- 100M+
- Lubrication
- Factory Lubricated
03 / WHY RED
Three reasons to choose Red.
Light Actuation
At 45 cN, Red requires less actuation force than heavier linear switches such as MX2A Black.
General-Purpose Builds
Its standard 2.0 mm actuation point and 4.0 mm total travel make it a versatile choice for typing, gaming and everyday keyboard use.
04 / THE KEYSTROKE
Classic 45 cN Linear
MX2A Red actuates at 45 cN and moves continuously through the stroke without a tactile pressure point. There is no intentional click mechanism.
Choose MX2A Red when you want a familiar, light CHERRY linear feel without silent damping or tactile feedback.
Inside the CHERRY MX2A Red
- Stem
- Spring
- Upper / lower housing
- Contact / mounting structure
CHERRY MX2A series illustrations · Colors are illustrative, not material finishes.
KeebPilot Sound Test
Hear CHERRY MX2A Red
Listen to our CHERRY MX2A Red sound test in a real keyboard setup.
Sound varies with keyboard case, plate, keycaps, mounting structure, and recording setup.
07 / CHOOSE YOUR FIT
3-Pin or 5-Pin?
Choose the mounting version that matches your keyboard PCB and plate.
3-Pin3-Pin
The 3-pin option uses the standard switch contacts and center mounting post without the two additional PCB locating pins.
5-Pin5-Pin
The 5-pin option adds two PCB locating pins for compatible PCB layouts.
Choose based on your keyboard PCB—not sound or feel.
Product photographs show the selected mounting version; confirm PCB compatibility before ordering.08 / BEFORE YOU BUILD
Will It Fit My Keyboard?
Mechanical Switch PCB
CHERRY MX2A Red uses the standard MX-style switch format. Your keyboard must support the mounting layout you select.
Match the Pin Count
Choose 3-pin or 5-pin based on your PCB and plate layout.
Hot-Swap Compatibility
For hot-swap boards, check the socket, PCB holes and plate layout before ordering.
09 / BUILD YOUR PACK
How Many Switches Do I Need?
3-Pin · 10 switches$3.50 USD
Exact switch counts vary by layout. Consider keeping a few spare switches for replacements.
10 / THE MX2A LINEUP
Find Your
CHERRY MX2A Feel
One family.
Different ways to feel every key.
CHERRY MX2A RedCURRENT PRODUCTBuy Red |
CHERRY MX2A BrownShop Brown |
CHERRY MX2A BlueShop Blue |
CHERRY MX2A BlackShop Black |
CHERRY MX2A Speed SilverShop Speed Silver |
CHERRY MX2A Silent RedShop Silent Red |
CHERRY MX2A OrangeShop Orange |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FeelLinear | FeelTactile | FeelClicky Tactile | FeelLinear | FeelLinear | FeelSilent Linear | FeelLinear |
| Actuation45 cN | Actuation45 cN | Actuation50 cN | Actuation60 cN | Actuation45 cN | Actuation45 cN | Actuation55 cN |
| Pre-travel2.0 mm | Pre-travel2.0 mm | Pre-travel2.2 mm | Pre-travel2.0 mm | Pre-travel1.2 mm | Pre-travel1.9 mm | Pre-travel2.0 mm |
| Availability3-Pin + 5-Pin | Availability3-Pin + 5-Pin | Availability3-Pin + 5-Pin | Availability5-Pin only | Availability3-Pin + 5-Pin | Availability5-Pin only | Availability5-Pin only |
Choose MX2A Red when you want a familiar, light CHERRY linear feel without silent damping or tactile feedback.
11 / IN DETAIL
About CHERRY MX2A Red Switches
2.0 mm Pre-Travel
MX2A Red actuates after 2.0 mm of downward key travel. This is the standard actuation distance used by the classic full-height Red design.
4.0 mm Full Travel
MX2A Red uses 4.0 mm total travel. Unlike Speed Silver and Silent Red, Red retains the traditional full-height CHERRY travel distance.
Sound & Feel
MX2A Red has no intentional click mechanism, but it is not a silent switch.
Before You Choose
No Tactile Feedback. There is no tactile bump to indicate when the switch has actuated. Users who prefer physical feedback during typing may prefer a tactile switch such as MX2A Brown.
Not a Silent Switch. MX2A Red has no click mechanism, but it does not use the damping structure found in MX2A Silent Red. Bottom-out and return can still produce noticeable mechanical noise depending on the keyboard build.
Light Spring Feel. The 45 cN actuation can feel light to users who prefer stronger resistance. For a heavier linear feel, MX2A Black may be a better fit.
Explore CHERRY switches or use the MX2A Family Comparison to choose your preferred feel.
12 / GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is a linear mechanical switch with no tactile bump and no intentional click.
45 cN.
2.0 mm.
4.0 mm.
No. It has no intentional click mechanism, but it does not use the silent damping structure found in MX2A Silent Red.
Yes, especially for users who prefer light, uninterrupted linear travel. Users who prefer tactile feedback may prefer Brown.
Yes, for users who prefer light linear switches. Its physical advantage is low-resistance linear actuation rather than a guaranteed gaming-performance improvement.
Both use 45 cN linear actuation. Silent Red adds damping to reduce mechanical impact noise, while standard Red retains the traditional undamped linear stroke.
Red actuates at 45 cN, while Black uses a heavier 60 cN actuation force.
Red uses 2.0 mm pre-travel and 4.0 mm total travel. Speed Silver uses shorter 1.2 mm pre-travel and 3.4 mm total travel.
Yes.
More than 100 million actuations.
The currently confirmed KeebPilot 3-pin and 5-pin variants use RGB-compatible transparent housings.
Choose the version that matches your PCB and plate layout. The 5-pin version requires two additional PCB locating holes.
YOUR NEXT BUILD
Choose Your CHERRY MX2A Red
3-Pin · 10 switches
$3.50
$0.35 / switch
Choose your mount and pack above.