Gateron Low Profile Switch Guide

Currently, there are two major versions of the Gateron Low Profile switches - KS-27 and KS-33.

There are slight differences between them in terms of raw specs, but KS-33 is far superior because they support way more keycap profiles than KS-27.

These switches have some great features like:

• You can use springs from MX-style switches to alter the weight of your Gateron Low Profile switch. They are completely compatible.
• All switches are consistently well-lubricated from the factory.

Common specifications

Name	KS-27 (v1)	KS-33 (v2)
Height	11.75mm	12.2mm
Travel Distance	2.5+0.5/-0.0mm	3.0+0.2/-0.2mm
Pre-Travel	1.5±0.5mm	1.7±0.4mm
Operation Life	50 million	60 million

Keycaps Compatibility

Profile	KS-27	KS-33
Nuphy nSA	✅	✅
Keychron LSA	✅	✅
SMOLO	✅	✅
XVX	✅	✅
DOYS	❓	✅
CFX MX	❓	✅
DSA/DSS	✅	✅
MT3	❌	✅
SA	❌	✅
Cherry (ePBT, PBTFans, OG)	❌	✅
OEM	❓	✅
XDA	❓	✅
MDA	❓	✅
MA	❓	✅
GMK/CYL	❌	❓
RAMA GRID	❌	❌

Note: it's really hard to say if your GMK keycaps would work properly. Some of them are working perfectly well, but some of them have clearance issues. Therefore, we do not recommend using GMK/CYL keycaps with KS-33 switches. For example, GMK Mecha R1 keycaps are working perfectly well, but GMK Space Cadet II keycaps are touching the plate during bottom-out, which gives an unpleasant typing experience.

KS-33 (v2)

Switch Variations

Name	Operating Force	End Force	Type	Bottom	Stem	Spring	Pre-travel	Total travel	Links
Aloe	37±15gf	40±5gf	linear	green	green	16.5mm 1-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Nuphy Aliexpress
Cowberry	45±15gf	55±5gf	linear	red	red	15.0mm 2-stage	1.2±0.3mm	3.0±0.2mm	Nuphy Aliexpress
Daisy	48±15gf	55±5gf	linear	peach	peach	16.5mm 1-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Nuphy Aliexpress
Red	50±15gf	60±5gf	linear	black	red	13.5mm 2-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Keychron Aliexpress
Red (Milky)	50±15gf	60±5gf	linear	milky	red	13.5mm 2-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Nuphy Aliexpress
Wisteria	50±15gf	55±5gf	tactile	lilac	lilac	16.5mm 2-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Nuphy Aliexpress
Brown	55±15gf	60±5gf	tactile	black	brown	13.5mm 2-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Keychron Aliexpress
Brown (Milky)	55±15gf	60±5gf	tactile	milky	brown	13.5mm 2-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Nuphy Aliexpress
Moss	55±15gf	60±5gf	tactile	dark green	dark green	16.5mm 1-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.0±0.2mm	Nuphy Aliexpress
Chocolate	55±15gf	???	tactile	brown	brown	???	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Gateron
Banana	60±15gf	70±5gf	tactile	black	yellow	15.0mm 1-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.0±0.2mm	Keychron Aliexpress
Blue	65±15gf	70±5gf	clicky	black	blue	11.5mm 2-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Keychron Aliexpress
Blue (Milky)	65±15gf	70±5gf	clicky	milky	blue	11.5mm 2-stage	1.7±0.4mm	3.2±0.2mm	Nuphy Aliexpress

Gallery

Brown, Red, Blue

Daisy, Aloe, Wisteria

KS-27 (v1)

Switch Variations

Name	Operating Force	End Force	Type	Bottom	Top	Stem
Red	50±15gf	70±5gf	linear	black	transparent	red
Brown	55±15gf	75±5gf	tactile	black	transparent	brown
Blue	65±15gf	75±5gf	clicky	black	transparent	blue

Keyboards

Open-source

• Ergonaut One
• Corne GLP
• Allium58
• stront
• PUR
• sweep36
• KLOR
• Portable Split Keyboard

Acknowledgements

Thanks to aroum for the idea and for initial version of the tables.