Not All Keycaps Are Created Equal
If you're shopping for custom keycaps, you've probably seen the alphabet soup: OEM, Cherry, SA, DSA. Each profile — the shape, height, and sculpting of a keycap — fundamentally changes how your keyboard feels, sounds, and performs.
Pick the wrong one, and you'll wonder why your expensive keyboard doesn't feel right. Get it right, and every keystroke becomes a joy.
Let's break down the four most popular keycap profiles — OEM, Cherry, SA, and DSA — so you can make the perfect choice for your next mechanical keyboard build.
What Exactly Is a Keycap Profile?
A keycap profile refers to the shape, height, and curvature of the keycaps on your keyboard. Most profiles are sculpted — each row has a different height and angle to match your fingers' natural movement. Some are uniform, meaning every row is the same shape.
Your profile choice affects three things:
- Typing feel — how your fingers glide between rows
- Sound signature — taller = deeper/thockier, shorter = clackier
- Aesthetics — the overall look of your build
OEM Profile: The Industry Standard
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) profile is what you'll find on most pre-built mechanical keyboards. It's the default — and that's perfectly fine.
Key Characteristics
- Height: Medium — roughly 10–11mm at the tallest row
- Top shape: Cylindrical (concave in one direction)
- Sculpting: Moderate — each row angles differently
- Materials: Available in both ABS and PBT
- Price: Generally the most affordable
Who Should Choose OEM?
If you're upgrading the keycaps on your first mechanical keyboard, OEM is your safest bet. It looks and feels familiar because it's what you've been typing on all along. It works well for both typing and gaming, and you'll find the widest selection of colors and designs in OEM profile.
Best For:
- Beginners upgrading their first keyboard
- Gamers who want a familiar feel
- Budget-conscious builds
- Anyone who wants maximum color/design options
Cherry Profile: The Typist's Favorite
Cherry profile was originally designed by Cherry GmbH for their iconic G80 and G81 keyboards. It's shorter than OEM with a distinct spherical dish that many typists swear by.
Key Characteristics
- Height: Low — about 8–9mm at the tallest row
- Top shape: Spherical scoop (concave in both directions)
- Sculpting: Sculpted but subtle — less row angle variation than OEM
- Materials: Most commonly PBT
- Profile feel: Lower profile = less finger travel
Cherry vs OEM — What's the Difference?
Cherry and OEM look very similar at a glance. The key difference: Cherry is about 1–2mm shorter and has a spherical (scooped) top instead of OEM's cylindrical (curved one way) top. The spherical scoop cradles your fingertip, giving a more precise, deliberate feel.
Who Should Choose Cherry?
Cherry is the go-to for touch typists and anyone who spends hours writing code or documents. The shorter travel reduces finger fatigue, and the spherical scoop helps your fingers find the center of each key without looking.
Best For:
- Programmers and writers
- Anyone prone to typing fatigue
- Low-profile builds where OEM feels too tall
- Enthusiasts who want a classic, proven design
SA Profile: Big, Bold, and Thocky
SA (Spherical All) keycaps are the giants of the keycap world. They're tall, heavily sculpted, and deliver a legendary sound signature that enthusiasts chase.
Key Characteristics
- Height: Tall — about 12–14mm at the tallest row
- Top shape: Deep spherical scoop
- Sculpting: Aggressive — each row has dramatically different height and angle
- Materials: Typically double-shot ABS
- Sound: Deep, thocky — the most satisfying of all profiles
Why SO Many Enthusiasts Love SA
SA isn't the most practical profile, but it's the most indulgent. The tall, scooped keys force a slower, more deliberate typing rhythm. Combined with the deep sound from all that plastic, it creates an almost ASMR-like typing experience. Many enthusiasts build entire keyboards around the SA typing feel and sound alone.
Who Should Choose SA?
- Enthusiasts chasing the ultimate typing sound
- Builders who prioritize aesthetics (SA keycaps just look impressive)
- Typists who don't mind a slower, heavier key feel
- Anyone building a retro-inspired keyboard
⚠️ A Word of Warning for SA Beginners
SA is tall. If you're used to laptop keyboards or low-profile mechanicals, SA will feel like a different planet. Consider trying a single SA keycap or a cheap SA set before committing. Also, SA keycap sets tend to be the most expensive.
DSA Profile: Low, Uniform, and Ortho-Friendly
DSA (Dished Spherical All) is the uniform profile that has become the darling of the ortholinear and ergonomic keyboard communities.
Key Characteristics
- Height: Low — similar to Cherry at about 8mm
- Top shape: Spherical dish (uniform across all rows)
- Sculpting: None — all rows are the same height and angle
- Materials: Available in both ABS and PBT
- Layout flexibility: Maximum — move any keycap anywhere
DSA vs Cherry — Which Is Lower?
DSA and Cherry are very close in height. The key difference: Cherry is sculpted (each row has a different angle), while DSA is uniform (every row is identical). This makes DSA ideal for non-standard layouts where sculpted rows would cause alignment issues.
Who Should Choose DSA?
- Ortholinear (Planck, Preonic) and split keyboard users
- Builders with non-standard layouts (like column-staggered or ergonomic boards)
- Anyone who wants to rearrange keycaps freely without worrying about row compatibility
- Typists who prefer a uniform, consistent feel across all fingers
Best For:
- Ortholinear keyboards
- Split ergonomic keyboards
- Custom macropads and keypad builds
- Typists transitioning from laptop keyboards (similar uniform feel)
Quick Comparison: OEM vs Cherry vs SA vs DSA
| Feature | OEM | Cherry | SA | DSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | Medium (~10mm) | Low (~8mm) | Tall (~13mm) | Low (~8mm) |
| Top Shape | Cylindrical | Spherical | Deep spherical | Spherical dish |
| Sculpting | Moderate | Subtle | Aggressive | None (uniform) |
| Sound | Medium | Clacky | Deep/thocky | Clacky |
| Best For | All-purpose | Typists | Enthusiasts | Ortho/split boards |
| Price Range | $20–50 | $30–80 | $60–150+ | $30–70 |
| Beginner Friendly | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Caution | ✅ Yes |
So Which Keycap Profile Is Right for You?
Here's our quick decision guide:
- First keyboard upgrade? → OEM. It's what you already know, and the selection is enormous.
- You type all day for work? → Cherry. Lower profile, less fatigue, more precision.
- You want the best sound and aesthetics? → SA. Nothing beats it for thock and presence.
- You're building an ortholinear or ergo board? → DSA. Uniform profile for universal compatibility.
Still unsure? Pick up an inexpensive OEM or Cherry PBT set from KeycapsHub and experience the difference yourself. Your keyboard will thank you.