Replace matching switches
Repair a confirmed KS-15 optical keyboard.
Choose a single-color pack for replacements. Check the installed switch and board revision before ordering; a family name such as K8 or GK61 is insufficient.
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02 / THE ESSENTIALS
Gateron KS-15 Optical Switches at a Glance
Linear / Tactile / Clicky
Switch Type
35 / 45 / 60 / 55 gf
Operating Force
4 / 3.2 mm
Total Travel
PC
Top Housing
KS-15 optical PCB
Mount
Choose the feedback you prefer
KS-15 offers five linear colors, tactile Brown and clicky Blue. Rated operating force ranges from 35 to 60 gf. Force describes resistance at actuation, not bottom-out resistance. Choose the feedback and force that suit you after confirming your keyboard uses the KS-15 optical system.
What will it sound like?
Blue deliberately clicks; Brown is tactile without a dedicated click mechanism. The linear options have no designed tactile bump or click. None is guaranteed silent. Case, plate, keycaps, mounting and technique affect the result; no measured loudness, latency or invented sound ratings are claimed.
Infrared sensing, with a matching optical PCB
The matching PCB detects actuation through an infrared light path rather than mechanical electrical contacts. Shorter pre-travel means earlier actuation within the stroke, not a proven millisecond advantage. Firmware, scanning and user behavior also matter.
Operating force35–60 gf ±15 gf
FeedbackLinear / Tactile / Clicky
Pre-travel1.0 / 2.0 / 2.3 mm
Maximum travel3.2 / 4.0 mm
SpringSpring steel
StemPOM
Top housingTransparent PC
Bottom housingBlack nylon
PCB systemKS-15 optical only
Factory lubedNo
No hand-lubing or filming service is included. Manual lubrication must not obstruct the optical sensing path. SMD LED support depends on the compatible PCB layout.
Is KS-15 the right replacement?
Choose KS-15 if
Your keyboard already uses the matching optical generation.
- Your exact keyboard and PCB revision are confirmed for KS-15.
- You need same-color switches in a suitable pack size.
- You want linear, tactile or clicky feedback within this optical system.
- You will compare published force and pre-travel before selecting a color.
Consider another switch if
Your PCB uses a different sensing or mounting system.
- Your keyboard uses regular MX mechanical 3-pin or 5-pin sockets.
- It uses KS-22 or proprietary optical switches without confirmed compatibility.
- It uses Hall Effect magnetic switches.
- You require factory lubrication, a mixed tester or measured performance guarantees.
Choose your options
Color: White / Yellow / Silver / Red / Black / Brown / Blue · Pack Size: 10 switches / 20 switches / 70 switches / 110 switches
Three practical ways to choose KS-15
Start with the exact PCB and switch generation. A color name, keyboard brand or “hot-swappable” label cannot establish compatibility. These switches are replacements for a matching optical platform, not a universal keyboard upgrade.
Choose key resistance
Compare light, medium and firm linear options.
White and Yellow are rated 35 gf, Red and Silver 45 gf, and Black 60 gf. Shorter Yellow/Silver pre-travel may take adjustment if you rest fingers heavily on keys.
Change feedback
Choose a bump or an audible click.
Brown provides tactile feedback; Blue provides a deliberate click. Both are rated 55 gf. Consider your noise tolerance and typing preference, not unverified gaming or latency claims.
Check the exact optical PCB first
Confirm the keyboard model, revision and installed switch part number with its manufacturer. Compare the bottom housing and optical opening. A cross-shaped stem may fit many MX-style keycaps, but it does not establish electrical or PCB compatibility.
KS-15 optical generation
Match the actual sensing system and mounting geometry. Do not assume proprietary, low-profile optical or magnetic sockets accept KS-15.
KS-22 is a different structure
Gateron says KS-22 cannot fit KS-15 keyboards because its light-path structure changed. That statement does not verify the reverse swap; confirm the exact board before substituting KS-15.
✓ Matching optical PCBVerify the exact board revision.
! Not mechanical MX3-pin/5-pin hot-swap sockets are incompatible.
! Check with the makerBrand names alone do not prove fit.
How many switches should you order?
Choose your keyboard layout to get a practical starting quantity. Then confirm the exact key count for your board and decide how many spare switches you want for testing or replacement.
Recommended for 65%
Select an available configuration
Recommendations require verified pack sizes, prices and availability from the current variation data.
Detailed specifications
Manufacturer ratings vary by color. The buying notes below show each option’s force, pre-travel and maximum travel.
Feedback types
Linear / Tactile / Clicky
Operating force
35 / 45 / 55 / 60 gf ±15
Pre-travel
1.0 / 2.0 / 2.3 mm
Travel tolerances
±0.4 / ±0.6 mm
Maximum travel
3.2 / 4.0 mm
Spring material
Spring steel
PCB system
KS-15 optical
Factory lubricated
No
Stem material
POM
Top housing
Transparent PC
Bottom housing
Black nylon
COLOR SELECTION
Good to Know
SHORT PRE-TRAVEL
Yellow and Silver: earlier actuation
Yellow and Silver are linear, with 1.0 ±0.4 mm pre-travel and 3.2 mm maximum travel. Yellow is 35 ±15 gf; Silver is 45 ±15 gf. Choose Yellow for lighter resistance or Silver for more resistance at the same rated actuation distance. Short travel does not establish faster gaming results or a measured latency advantage. Very light, short-actuation switches can take personal adjustment; no mistype rate is claimed.
LINEAR RESISTANCE
White, Red and Black: light to firm
White, Red and Black are linear, each with 2.0 ±0.6 mm pre-travel and 4.0 mm maximum travel. White is 35 ±15 gf, Red 45 ±15 gf and Black 60 ±15 gf. White offers light resistance without Yellow’s 1.0 mm trigger point; Red sits between White and Black by rated operating force. These are separate single-color packs, not mixed colors in one pack.
TACTILE OR CLICKY
Brown and Blue: different feedback
Brown is tactile and Blue is clicky; both are rated 55 ±15 gf with 4.0 mm maximum travel. Brown has 2.0 ±0.6 mm pre-travel; Blue has 2.3 ±0.6 mm. Choose Brown for a tactile cue without Blue’s dedicated click, or Blue when an audible click is welcome. Neither has a controlled loudness rating. Final sound depends on the complete keyboard build.
Questions about Gateron KS-15
Will Gateron KS-15 switches work in a regular mechanical hot-swap keyboard?
No. KS-15 switches use infrared optical sensing and need a compatible KS-15-type optical keyboard PCB. Ordinary mechanical MX 3-pin or 5-pin hot-swap sockets are not compatible.
Are Gateron KS-15 and KS-22 optical switches interchangeable?
Do not assume interchangeability. Gateron says KS-22 cannot fit KS-15 keyboards because their light-path structures differ. This does not confirm the reverse swap: before fitting KS-15 to a KS-22 board, verify the exact model and revision with its manufacturer.
Which KS-15 switch has the shortest pre-travel?
Yellow and Silver both have 1.0 ±0.4 mm pre-travel and 3.2 mm maximum travel. Yellow is 35 ±15 gf; Silver is 45 ±15 gf. Neither has a proven millisecond advantage. The lighter Yellow may not suit users who rest fingers heavily on keys.
Yellow vs Silver: which KS-15 optical switch should I choose?
Both are linear: 1.0 ±0.4 mm pre-travel and 3.2 mm maximum travel. Yellow is lighter at 35 ±15 gf; Silver is 45 ±15 gf. Consider Silver if very light switches feel too sensitive. Neither has a verified mistype-rate or gaming-performance advantage.
Will a shorter 1.0 mm actuation point improve my gaming performance?
A 1.0 mm pre-travel means actuation occurs earlier within the physical stroke than a 2.0 mm option. It does not prove reduced latency, faster reactions or better game results. Choose for control, comfort and your keyboard setup as well as the published distance.
What is the difference between Optical Yellow and Optical White?
Both are rated 35 ± 15 gf linear switches. Yellow has a shorter 1.0 ± 0.4 mm pre-travel and 3.2 mm maximum total travel, while White has 2.0 ± 0.6 mm pre-travel and 4.0 mm maximum total travel.
Which KS-15 options are linear, tactile or clicky?
White, Yellow, Silver, Red and Black are linear; Brown is tactile; Blue is clicky. Choose by desired keypress feedback and the listed actuation force, not by color alone.
Are KS-15 switches factory lubed?
No. Gateron lists the KS-15 range as not pre-lubed. This listing does not include a hand-lubing service.
Are KS-15 switches compatible with Keychron, Corsair or Razer keyboards?
A keyboard brand name alone is not enough to confirm compatibility. Optical switch systems and generations vary even within brands. Check your exact model, PCB revision and current switch standard with the keyboard manufacturer before ordering.
Do Gateron KS-15 switches support RGB lighting?
Gateron lists SMD LED support. Actual illumination and clearance depend on the compatible optical keyboard PCB and lighting layout; the switches do not provide lighting on their own.
How many switches come in each pack?
Choose 10, 20, 70 or 110 switches of one selected color. This is not a seven-color sampler. No switch puller or other unconfirmed accessory is included.
How many KS-15 switches do I need for a full keyboard?
Count your board’s switches first. For 61 keys, a 70-pack provides nine spares; 87 keys need 70 + 20, or 110 with more spares; 104 keys need 110. With 10-packs alone, those boards need 7, 9 or 11 packs. Select the same color throughout.
Are KS-15 optical switches Hall Effect or magnetic switches?
No. KS-15 is an infrared optical switch family. It is not a Hall Effect magnetic switch and should not be purchased for a magnetic-switch PCB.
Can I use standard MX-style keycaps on KS-15 switches?
The KS-15 stem is cross-shaped and can accommodate many MX-style keycaps, subject to keycap and keyboard geometry. Keycap-stem fit does not mean the switch will work in a standard MX mechanical PCB.