How Many Switches Do I Need for a 60% Keyboard?
DashanYuan
Short answer: a 60% keyboard needs about 61 to 64 switches. Buy 70 and you will be safe on every common layout, with spares left over.
Most keyboard switches are sold in packs of 10 or 35, so 70 usually means seven 10-packs or two 35-packs.
Switch Count by Layout
| Layout | Keys | Switches to buy |
|---|---|---|
| 40% | ~47 | 50 |
| 60% | 61–64 | 70 |
| 65% | 66–69 | 70 |
| 75% | 81–84 | 90 |
| TKL (80%) | 87–88 | 90 |
| Full size (100%) | 104–108 | 110 |
Why the Range?
A 60% board is not a fixed key count. The number changes depending on the layout options your PCB supports:
- Standard 61-key — the classic ANSI 60% layout.
- Split backspace — adds one key.
- Split right shift — adds one key.
- ISO layouts — add one key.
- Split spacebar — can add two or more.
Stack a few of those and you are at 64. This is why buying exactly 61 is a mistake.
Always Buy Spares
Three good reasons:
- Switches occasionally arrive with a bent pin or a dead leaf.
- You will bend a pin during installation eventually — everyone does.
- If you change layout later, you need switches to fill the new keys.
Buying 10 extra switches costs a few dollars. Running out mid-build and waiting a week for shipping costs your evening.
Which Switches for a 60%?
Layout has no bearing on switch choice — pick by feel:
- Gaming — linear switches.
- Typing — tactile switches.
- Office — silent switches.
Note that switches sold in 35-packs (such as HMX Volume 0) are efficient here — two packs gives you 70 exactly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many switches does a 60% keyboard need?
Between 61 and 64 depending on layout options. Buy 70 to be safe.
How many switches for a 65% keyboard?
66 to 69. Buy 70.
Do switches come in packs of 60?
Rarely. Most are sold in 10-packs or 35-packs. Seven 10-packs or two 35-packs both give you 70.
Can I mix switch types on one keyboard?
Yes — many people use heavier switches on modifiers and lighter ones on the alphas. It is a common and cheap way to fine-tune a board.