BUILD DIRECTION
A lighter tactile build
Light-touch tactile typing
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02 / THE ESSENTIALS
CHERRY MX Petal Switches at a Glance
Light Tactile
Feel
30 cN
Actuation
45 cN
Tactile Force
2.0 / 4.0 mm
Travel
5-Pin PCB
Mount
Factory Lubricated
Lubrication
FIT & COMPATIBILITY
Will it fit your keyboard?
Check the 5-pin footprint before ordering
The 5-pin footprint needs PCB holes for two plastic locating legs, so a hot-swap socket alone does not guarantee fit.
After confirming PCB support, choose 10, 35 or 70 switches to match your build and spare margin.
Check 5-pin support before choosing pack size.
MX Petal uses a 5-pin MX footprint. Hot-swap fit depends on whether the PCB accepts the two locating legs. SMD/RGB support is build-dependent.
5-Pin FitThe two locating legs require matching PCB holes. Hot-swap compatibility depends on the exact PCB/socket layout.
RGB SupportThe exact MX2A-GCBD version is RGB-oriented; actual lighting visibility depends on the board, LED position and keycaps.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Feel & construction
FEEL / FORCE
Very light tactility without an intentional click
MX Petal actuates at 30 cN with a 45 cN tactile force, giving a gentle physical cue with low spring resistance.
Travel is 2.0 mm pre-travel and 4.0 mm total. It is tactile, not clicky; final sound depends on the full build.
Choose it for low resistance with light tactile feedback.
PRODUCT VIDEO
See the Switch in Action
KeebPilot | CHERRY MX Petal Switch Sound Test | Light Tactile 30cN · Sound depends on the complete build.
CONSTRUCTION
Stock CHERRY construction with factory lubrication
A POM stem, nylon top and bottom housings, 16 mm spring and CHERRY MX contacts form the stock build.
Factory lubrication is included; no hand-lubing, filming or spring swap is implied.
A ready-to-install stock CHERRY configuration.
Stem MaterialPOM
Top HousingNylon
Bottom HousingNylon
Spring Length16 mm
Factory LubedYes
Mount5-pin
MX CompatibleYes
DECIDE QUICKLY
Is this right for your build?
YOUR BUILD
Best for lighter-touch tactile users
Best for light-touch typists and linear users who want gentle tactile feedback without a heavier spring.
Less suitable if you prefer a strong bump, heavier resistance or a silent switch.
Best when low resistance matters more than strong tactility.
- Light-touch tactile typing
- Linear users trying a gentle tactile switch
- Buyers who want less resistance than MX2A Brown
TRADE-OFFS
Check before buying
- May feel too light for heavy-handed users
- Gentle rather than strong tactility
- Requires 5-pin PCB support
CHERRY MX Petal vs MX2A Family
One family. Different ways to feel every key.
Scroll to compare
CHERRY MX PetalCurrent Shop Petal |  CHERRY MX2A RedShop 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FeelLight Tactile | FeelLinear | FeelTactile | FeelClicky Tactile | FeelLinear | FeelLinear | FeelSilent Linear | FeelLinear |
| Actuation force30 cN | Actuation force45 cN | Actuation force45 cN | Actuation force50 cN | Actuation force60 cN | Actuation force45 cN | Actuation force45 cN | Actuation force55 cN |
| Pre-travel2.0 mm | 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 |
| Mount options5-pin | Mount options3-pin + 5-pin | Mount options3-pin + 5-pin | Mount options3-pin + 5-pin | Mount options5-pin | Mount options3-pin + 5-pin | Mount options5-pin | Mount options5-pin |
USE CASES
Build directions
BUILD DIRECTION
Trying gentle tactility
Linear users trying a gentle tactile switch
BUILD DIRECTION
Full-travel MX builds
Buyers who want less resistance than MX2A Brown
DETAILS
Detailed specifications
Switch Type
Tactile
Operating Force
30.6 gf
Tactile Force
45 cN
Initial Force
25 cN
Pre-travel
2.0 mm
Total Travel
4.0 mm
Stem Material
POM
Top Housing
Nylon
Bottom Housing
Nylon
Spring Length
16 mm
Factory Lubed
Yes
Mount
5-pin
MX Compatible
Yes
Hot-swap Compatible
Depends
LED Compatibility
SMD
Typing Feel
Very light spring resistance with a gentle tactile cue, 30 cN actuation and 4.0 mm total travel.
Article Number
MX2A-GCBD
RGB
Yes
Contact System
CHERRY MX Gold Crosspoint
Rated Durability
50M+ keystrokes
Intentional Click
No
Source & interpretation
SpecificationsExact-model specifications are drawn from CHERRY and the identified product sources.
ExperienceProfile and build guidance is editorial interpretation, not a claim of controlled KeebPilot testing.
BUYING NOTES
Good to Know
Feel Positioning
Light tactile with very low spring resistance; best considered when you want physical feedback without Brown-level weighting.
Petal vs Brown
Petal is the lighter option: 30 cN actuation versus 45 cN on MX2A Brown. Both use 2.0 mm pre-travel and 4.0 mm total travel.
Sound Note
No intentional click. Final tone varies with the keyboard case, plate, mount, keycaps and typing force.
Pack Options
10 / 35 / 70 switches
Build Notes
Confirm 5-pin PCB support before ordering. Choose 10, 35 or 70 switches based on your keyboard’s switch count and desired spare margin.
Choose enough switches for your layout
Available packs contain 10, 35 or 70 switches. Choose based on the actual switch count of your keyboard and keep a few spares. A full-size build can require more than 70 switches.
MX Petal and MX2A Brown
MX Petal uses 30 cN operating force and 45 cN tactile force; MX2A Brown uses 45 cN and 55 cN respectively. Both retain 2.0 mm pre-travel and 4.0 mm total travel. Petal is the lighter choice; Brown offers more resistance.
FAQ
Questions about CHERRY MX Petal Switches
What type of switch is CHERRY MX Petal?
A very light tactile switch: 30 cN actuation, 45 cN tactile force, 2.0 mm pre-travel and 4.0 mm total travel.
How light is MX Petal?
Its 30 cN actuation is much lighter than MX2A Brown’s 45 cN, so it suits low-resistance typing.
Is MX Petal just a lighter MX Brown?
No. Both are tactile, but Petal uses much lower actuation force and has its own feel.
Is CHERRY MX Petal 5-pin?
Yes. It uses a 5-pin PCB-mount footprint with two plastic locating legs.
Will it work in a hot-swap keyboard?
Yes, if the PCB accepts 5-pin MX switches. Socket type alone does not guarantee clearance.
Does MX Petal support RGB?
It suits compatible SMD/RGB builds; the visible effect depends on the PCB, LED position, plate and keycaps.
Is MX Petal clicky or silent?
It is tactile, not clicky, and not a silent switch. Final sound depends on the full keyboard.