{"$schema":"nativecad-dfm-pack/1","id":"peripherals","title":"Peripherals — keyboards, mice, controllers, headsets","sector":"peripherals","version":"2026-09-03","summary":"Key pitch, switch plate cutouts, case/standoff conventions, mouse and controller ergonomic dimensions, USB-C daughterboard conventions, materials and durability tests for computer peripherals.","aliases":["keyboard","mouse","controller","gamepad","headset","mechanical keyboard","keycap"],"crossSector":false,"size":"core","sources":[{"id":"cherry-mx-datasheet","title":"Cherry MX1A-11xx Series Mechanical Key Switch Datasheet","url":"https://www.cherrymx.de/en/mx-original/mx1a-11xx.html","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"kailh-choc-datasheet","title":"Kailh Choc (PG1350) Low-Profile Mechanical Switch Datasheet","url":"https://www.kailhswitch.com/mechanical-keyboard-switches/low-profile-switches/choc-series.html","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"keyboard-plate-guide","title":"1upkeyboards — How to Design a Mechanical Keyboard Switch Plate","url":"https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/blog/how-to-design-a-keyboard-plate/","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"qmk-hardware-guide","title":"QMK Firmware — Hand-Wiring and Custom PCB/Plate Reference Docs","url":"https://docs.qmk.fm/#/hand_wire","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"usb-c-spec","title":"USB Type-C Cable and Connector Specification, Release 2.3 (USB-IF)","url":"https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-cable-and-connector-specification-release-23","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"omron-d2fc-datasheet","title":"Omron D2FC-F-7N Micro Switch Datasheet (mouse main button)","url":"https://components.omron.com/product-detail?partId=2635","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"kailh-gm-datasheet","title":"Kailh GM 4.0/GM 8.0 Mouse Micro Switch Series Datasheet","url":"https://www.kailhswitch.com/mouse-switches/gm-series.html","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"mouse-grip-ergonomics-study","title":"Chen, H.-C. et al., 'The effects of computer mouse shape on hand-wrist posture during different grip styles', Applied Ergonomics","url":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003687013001682","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"bifma-g1","title":"BIFMA G1-2013 Ergonomics Guideline for VDT (Computer) Workstations","url":"https://www.bifma.org/","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"cherry-mx-installation-guide","title":"Cherry MX Installation Notes — mounting plate and PCB spacing","url":"https://www.cherrymx.de/en/dev.html","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"gaming-mouse-durability-standard","title":"Logitech / vendor gaming-mouse click-durability and drop-test disclosures (typical spec sheets)","url":"https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/innovation/mice.html","accessed":"2026-09-03"},{"id":"controller-ergonomics-reference","title":"Xbox / DualShock controller grip and trigger-travel teardown measurements (iFixit)","url":"https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Game_Console","accessed":"2026-09-03"}],"entries":[{"id":"key-pitch-mx","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Standard MX key pitch (19.05 mm / 0.75 in)","summary":"Full-size mechanical key units sit on a 19.05 mm (0.75 in) grid in both X and Y; a 1u key occupies one grid cell and wider keys (2u, 6.25u spacebar) are integer or near-integer multiples of this pitch.","applies":["mechanical keyboard","MX switch","keycap"],"value":{"value":19.05,"unit":"mm","note":"0.75 in exactly; do not round to 19 mm"},"basis":"Inherited from IBM Model M / typewriter key spacing; every MX-compatible keycap set and plate/PCB CAD tool assumes this grid.","sources":["keyboard-plate-guide","qmk-hardware-guide"],"tags":["key pitch","layout","grid","mx"]},{"id":"key-pitch-choc","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Choc low-profile key pitch (18 x 17 mm)","summary":"Kailh Choc low-profile keyboards commonly use an 18 mm (X) x 17 mm (Y) pitch instead of the MX 19.05 mm grid, though some Choc boards keep 19.05 mm X-pitch and tighten only Y.","applies":["low-profile keyboard","choc switch","split keyboard"],"value":{"table":[{"axis":"X","mm":18},{"axis":"Y","mm":17}]},"basis":"Choc's shorter travel and smaller housing let designers tighten the grid for a more compact board; 18x17 is the de-facto community convention, not an official Kailh spec.","sources":["kailh-choc-datasheet","keyboard-plate-guide"],"tags":["key pitch","choc","low profile","grid"]},{"id":"mx-switch-plate-cutout","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"MX switch plate cutout (14.0 x 14.0 mm, +0.05 mm)","summary":"Cherry MX and MX-compatible switches need a 14.0 x 14.0 mm square plate cutout with +0.05 mm positive tolerance (14.00-14.05 mm) so the switch's plate clips seat without being loose enough to rattle.","applies":["mx switch","switch plate","hot-swap socket"],"value":{"min":14,"max":14.05,"typical":14.02,"unit":"mm"},"basis":"Cherry's own mounting-plate drawing specifies 14.0 mm square with the switch housing's clip ribs sized for a light press fit at +0.05 mm.","sources":["cherry-mx-datasheet","keyboard-plate-guide"],"tags":["plate cutout","mx","tolerance"]},{"id":"choc-switch-plate-cutout","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Choc switch plate cutout (~14.5 x 14.5 mm)","summary":"Kailh Choc v1/v2 switches use a slightly larger square plate cutout, commonly cut 14.4-14.5 mm per side (looser than MX's 14.0 mm) because the Choc housing's retention ribs are shallower.","applies":["choc switch","low-profile plate"],"value":{"min":14.4,"max":14.5,"typical":14.45,"unit":"mm"},"basis":"Community-measured convention across open-source Choc plate files; Kailh does not publish as tight a cutout tolerance as Cherry does for MX.","sources":["kailh-choc-datasheet","keyboard-plate-guide"],"tags":["plate cutout","choc","tolerance"]},{"id":"plate-thickness","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Switch plate thickness (1.5 mm typical)","summary":"Keyboard switch plates run 1.2-1.6 mm thick depending on material; 1.5 mm is the most common thickness across steel, aluminium, FR4 and polycarbonate plates and is what most switch clip geometry assumes.","applies":["switch plate","case"],"value":{"min":1.2,"max":1.6,"typical":1.5,"unit":"mm","options":["steel","aluminum","FR4","polycarbonate"]},"basis":"Cherry's clip-rib height and standard plate mounting drawings assume ~1.5 mm engagement; thinner plates reduce clip retention, thicker plates need the switch pins to still reach the PCB.","sources":["cherry-mx-datasheet","keyboard-plate-guide"],"tags":["plate","thickness","material"]},{"id":"plate-to-pcb-spacing-mx","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Plate-to-PCB spacing, MX (5.0 mm)","summary":"The gap from the underside of an MX switch plate to the top of the PCB is 5.0 mm — the distance MX switch pins and stem travel through before soldering onto the board.","applies":["mx switch","case design","tray mount"],"value":{"value":5,"unit":"mm"},"basis":"Fixed by Cherry MX's housing height below the plate-retention clips; case standoffs and PCB mounting posts are dimensioned around this 5 mm gap.","sources":["cherry-mx-installation-guide","keyboard-plate-guide"],"tags":["plate to pcb","mx","standoff"]},{"id":"plate-to-pcb-spacing-choc","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Plate-to-PCB spacing, Choc (3.4 mm)","summary":"Kailh Choc's shorter low-profile housing needs only 3.4 mm from plate underside to PCB top, versus 5.0 mm for MX — the main reason Choc boards can be built thinner.","applies":["choc switch","low-profile case"],"value":{"value":3.4,"unit":"mm"},"basis":"Set by the Choc housing height below its plate clips; used across open-source Choc case/standoff designs.","sources":["kailh-choc-datasheet","keyboard-plate-guide"],"tags":["plate to pcb","choc","standoff"]},{"id":"stabilizer-cutout-2u","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Cherry-style stabilizer plate cutout, 2u key (Costar/Cherry)","summary":"A 2u key (backspace, tab, etc.) needs a Cherry-style stabilizer cutout: a 3.0 mm wide slot with wire-post holes spaced 23.8 mm either side of the switch cutout centre.","applies":["stabilizer","2u key","backspace"],"value":{"value":23.8,"unit":"mm","note":"stem-hole spacing either side of switch centre; slot width ~3.0 mm"},"basis":"Cherry-style stabilizer geometry is the de-facto standard adopted by nearly every plate/PCB design tool (KLE, plate generators).","sources":["keyboard-plate-guide","cherry-mx-installation-guide"],"tags":["stabilizer","2u","cutout"]},{"id":"case-wall-thickness-keyboard","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Keyboard case wall thickness (2-4 mm)","summary":"Injection-moulded or CNC keyboard case walls run 2-4 mm: 2-2.5 mm for a moulded ABS/PC shell, 3-4 mm for a CNC'd aluminium case that also needs to resist flex under typing force.","applies":["keyboard case","enclosure"],"value":{"min":2,"max":4,"typical":3,"unit":"mm"},"basis":"Below ~2 mm a moulded shell warps and an aluminium case rings/flexes; above 4 mm adds weight and cost with no stiffness benefit for a desktop keyboard.","sources":["keyboard-plate-guide"],"tags":["case","wall thickness","enclosure"]},{"id":"typing-angle","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Keyboard typing angle (3-8 degrees)","summary":"A keyboard's typing angle — the front-to-back tilt of the key plane — runs 3-8 degrees for most boards; flip-out feet typically add 2-4 degrees on top of a 3-6 degree built-in base angle.","applies":["ergonomics","case design"],"value":{"min":3,"max":8,"typical":6,"unit":"deg"},"basis":"Angles above ~8-10 degrees increase wrist extension and RSI risk; most ergonomic guidance recommends keeping the wrist closer to neutral, favouring the low end of this range or a negative-tilt/tented design.","sources":["bifma-g1","keyboard-plate-guide"],"tags":["typing angle","ergonomics"]},{"id":"usb-c-cutout-daughterboard","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"USB-C port cutout (9.0 x 3.3 mm)","summary":"A USB-C receptacle case cutout is 9.0 mm wide x 3.3 mm tall to clear the connector shell; the daughterboard carrying it is usually screwed or slotted to the case wall independent of the main PCB so cable-insertion force never loads switch-side solder joints.","applies":["usb-c","daughterboard","case cutout"],"value":{"value":{"width":9,"height":3.3},"unit":"mm"},"basis":"9.0 x 3.3 mm matches the USB Type-C receptacle shell outline per the USB-IF connector spec, plus a small clearance margin for case tolerance.","sources":["usb-c-spec"],"tags":["usb-c","cutout","daughterboard"]},{"id":"mouse-dims-palm-grip","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Mouse dimensions for palm grip","summary":"Palm-grip mice (whole hand rests on the shell) run larger: length 120-130 mm, width 62-70 mm, height (rear hump) 38-45 mm — tall enough for the palm to sit on the hump rather than hover above it.","applies":["mouse shell","palm grip","ergonomics"],"value":{"table":[{"axis":"length","min_mm":120,"max_mm":130},{"axis":"width","min_mm":62,"max_mm":70},{"axis":"height","min_mm":38,"max_mm":45}]},"basis":"Palm grip needs a tall rear hump and long shell so the whole hand (not just fingertips) is supported, unlike claw/fingertip grips which favour a lower, shorter shell.","sources":["mouse-grip-ergonomics-study"],"tags":["mouse","palm grip","dimension"]},{"id":"mouse-dims-claw-grip","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Mouse dimensions for claw grip","summary":"Claw-grip mice (arched fingers, palm barely touching) suit a shorter, lower shell: length 110-120 mm, width 58-65 mm, height 34-40 mm, often with a steeper front slope for the fingertips to hook over the front edge.","applies":["mouse shell","claw grip","ergonomics"],"value":{"table":[{"axis":"length","min_mm":110,"max_mm":120},{"axis":"width","min_mm":58,"max_mm":65},{"axis":"height","min_mm":34,"max_mm":40}]},"basis":"A lower rear hump and shorter length keep the palm from needing to fully rest, matching the arched-finger claw posture.","sources":["mouse-grip-ergonomics-study"],"tags":["mouse","claw grip","dimension"]},{"id":"mouse-button-travel","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Main button travel and pre-travel","summary":"Main mouse buttons have 1.5-2.5 mm total travel with 0.3-0.8 mm pre-travel (movement before the switch clicks); the shell's flexure button arm is tuned in thickness (0.6-1.0 mm) to give this travel without fatiguing before the switch's rated cycle life.","applies":["mouse button","travel","ergonomics"],"value":{"min":1.5,"max":2.5,"typical":2,"unit":"mm"},"basis":"Pre-travel and total travel are dominated by the shell's button-arm flexure design, not the micro switch itself, which typically actuates over <1 mm of its own plunger movement.","sources":["omron-d2fc-datasheet","kailh-gm-datasheet"],"tags":["button travel","pre-travel","mouse"]},{"id":"mouse-shell-wall-thickness","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Mouse shell wall thickness","summary":"Injection-moulded mouse shell walls run 1.2-1.8 mm — thin enough to mould without sink marks or long cooling times, thick enough to resist flex under grip pressure and to survive the 1 m drop test at unsupported spans.","applies":["mouse shell","enclosure"],"value":{"min":1.2,"max":1.8,"typical":1.5,"unit":"mm"},"basis":"Sits in the general thin-wall injection-moulding sweet spot; ribs and bosses (not thicker walls) carry the extra local stiffness a shell needs at screw points and the button-arm root.","sources":["gaming-mouse-durability-standard"],"tags":["wall thickness","mouse shell"]},{"id":"controller-grip-diameter","kind":"dimension","tier":1,"title":"Controller handgrip diameter","summary":"Console-style controller handgrips (the cylindrical/tapered section under each hand) run 34-40 mm across at their widest, tapering to 28-32 mm near the top where the fingers curl around the trigger housing.","applies":["controller","grip","ergonomics"],"value":{"min":28,"max":40,"typical":36,"unit":"mm"},"basis":"Sized to fill an adult palm without over-extending the fingers to reach the face buttons/sticks on top, based on measured teardown dimensions of mainstream console controllers.","sources":["controller-ergonomics-reference"],"tags":["controller","grip diameter","ergonomics"]}]}