What Springs Should I Buy?
You can search and find force graphs on the internet for Slow Curves, Progressive, Complex, Linear ect but I personally think that it's more worthwhile if you can try and experience different lengths, in person. It's easy to forget that switches have at most 4mm of travel which isn't that much distance for some people to feel or notice significant changes so it's better to just sample some if you can, rather than becoming too fixated on graphics.
When it comes to spring weight, 62g is by far the most popular and best selling in the community. Use 62g as the benchmark when deciding if you want to type on something light or heavy. I personally think the "safe" range is between 55g and 67g and don't suggest you choose lighter / heavier if you're not feeling confident. You might feel more adventurous once you're experienced but for most, staying around 62g is their ideal preference and the best choice.
Visual 1 - Range of spring weights on a scale
You should also consider the type of switch you will be using when deciding on a spring weight. How much you enjoy the spring weight will change if you are using a linear or tactile switch. For example, some people think 62g linears are perfect but at the same time find 62g tactiles too light. This is because a bump will change the force curve and therefore feeling of the switch.
Based on my experiences and observations, the following is how I would simply summarise switch spring lengths. There is a bit of bias due to my preferences but I've tried to be as objective as possible.
Short | 14mm
The initial few millimetres of the keystroke is light, soft and easy to press, however, becomes notably heavier towards the bottom. It gets heavier quickly because the spring isn't very compressed inside the switch and has to "ramp up" quickly to reach the bottom out weight.
Recommended for:
- Tactiles with pre-travel
- Linears if you who don’t want to bottom out easily (pair with a heavier spring weight)
I suggest tactiles with pre-travel because, logically, the "ramping" characteristic of shorter springs allows for effortless travel to the point of tactility. If you enjoy pre-travel then you should want to only notice the few millimetres of travel as the stem goes down. With a longer spring and pre-travel, you will feel the resistance of the spring as it compresses and pushes upwards during the pre-travel.
Medium | Standard | 15mm
The initial few millimetres of the keystroke have moderate resistance while gradually becoming heavier towards bottoming-out.
Recommended for:
- Linears - Traditional typing experience - balanced force curve
- Tactiles - Traditional typing experience - balanced force curve
- People who want a safe, standard experience
This option is safe and normal. Most enthusiasts don't opt for this because it isn't considered "fun" but it's still a solid option.
Long | XL | UXL | Double Stage | Triple Stage
Keystrokes feel firm and stiff with lots of upwards resistance because the spring is compressed when put inside a switch; longer the spring, the more it will "push" upwards.
This feeling does not change and stays consistent from start to finish and through-out the press. Don’t expect these springs to get much heavier as you approach bottom-out and they may even “feel lighter” as you press harder to overcome the upwards resistance of the initial few millimetres of the keypress.
Think of it like popping bubble wrap; the resistance you feel is only at the beginning and once the plastic bubble bursts your fingers continue to move due to the momentum.
Once you press hard enough to overcome the upwards resistance you will effortlessly reach bottom out.
The longer the spring, the more exaggerated this consistent feeling will be.
i.e. 18mm will feel closer to a normal spring than a 22mm Double Stage spring.
Three stage springs make switches feel stiffer than two stage springs and they also do not collapse as easily.
Recommended for:
- Linears if you want resistance at the top of the press to prevent accidental actuations
- Tactiles with tactility towards the top. Long springs feel better in strong tactiles as it compliments and accentuates the tactile feedback
- If you want a non-traditional and “fun” experience
- If you want a louder bottom out sound
- If you want a more responsive key press that return upwards quickly