FAQ

Every 5 minutes. Each item in the stock table shows a "last checked" timestamp in the final column so you know exactly how fresh the data is. We can't check faster without risking violating vendor terms of service.

In Stock — Available for immediate purchase at the vendor.

Low Stock — Limited inventory detected. Could sell out within the check window.

Out of Stock — Not available for purchase at the vendor's current listing.

Group Buy — In an active or announced group buy. Not available for direct purchase.

Our data is updated every 5 minutes, but a product can sell out between our checks — especially popular items during a restock surge. The timestamp on each row tells you when we last verified. Always confirm availability directly with the vendor before purchasing. Our data is best-effort, not a live guarantee.

Yes! Submit a request with the keyboard name, vendor URL, and why it should be tracked. We prioritize adding keyboards based on community requests and overall enthusiasm level.

When you click the 🔔 bell icon next to a keyboard or submit your email in the alert sign-up, we add you to the notification list for that item. When our system detects a status change to "In Stock," we fire off an email within 5 minutes. No spam — just the specific alerts you signed up for.

Yes, completely free. We don't charge for alerts, ever. Our business model is display advertising, not alert subscriptions.

Every alert email includes an unsubscribe link at the bottom. One click — no confirmation hoops. Or contact us with your email address and we'll remove it manually within 24 hours.

A Group Buy (GB) is a limited-time, community-funded pre-order. You pay upfront, the designer collects orders until the GB closes, then sends the total count to the manufacturer. The product is produced and shipped 6–18+ months later. You typically get a lower price than if the item went to mass production, but the tradeoff is the long wait and some fulfillment risk if the organizer encounters manufacturing problems.

An IC is a pre-GB survey. The designer shares renders or a prototype and asks the community if they'd buy it at a certain price point. If response is strong enough, they move to a full Group Buy. ICs don't require payment — they're just feedback. KeebTracker tracks major ICs so you can keep an eye on projects before they go live.

We source GB status updates from GeekHack interest check and GB threads, vendor announcement pages, and designer social media updates. We update status manually when there's a significant change (IC → GB, GB funded, production complete, shipping, etc.). We aim to update within 24 hours of a significant announcement.

Linear: Smooth, consistent keystroke from top to bottom. No tactile bump, no audible click. Preferred for gaming and users who type at high speed. Examples: Gateron Yellow, Tangerine, Durock POM L7.

Tactile: A physical bump you can feel mid-stroke, indicating the actuation point. No audible click. Popular for typing because the bump provides feedback without the noise. Examples: Boba U4, Holy Panda, Topre.

Clicky: A tactile bump plus an audible click. The most distinctive mechanical keyboard experience. Loud — not suitable for open offices or shared spaces. Examples: Kailh Box White, Gateron Blue, Cherry MX Blue.

Actuation force is the grams of pressure required to register a keypress at the actuation point. Lower (35–45g) = lighter, easier to trigger — good for gaming and fast typists. Higher (55–67g+) = more resistance — popular with heavy-handed typists who want deliberate keystrokes and fewer accidental presses. Most people find 45g a comfortable middle ground to start. You can try a switch tester before committing to 90+ switches for a full board.

Not required, but highly recommended for linear switches and some tactiles. Lubing reduces friction and scratchiness, producing a smoother, quieter, and generally "thockier" sound. Most factory-shipped switches come either unlubed or with a light factory lube that can be improved. The keeb community standard is Krytox 205g0 for linears and Krytox 205g0 or 3203 for tactiles (never lube the legs of a tactile switch — it kills the bump).

No. KeebTracker is independently operated as an independent resource. We have no affiliate relationships, paid placements, or commercial agreements with Keychron, Glorious, KBDFans, NovelKeys, ZSA, Mode Designs, or any other tracked vendor. Rankings and data are based solely on community interest and availability.

Please contact us with the switch name, the incorrect spec, and the correct value with a source (manufacturer spec sheet or store listing preferred). We'll verify and update within 24 hours.

Welcome! Start with a budget under $100 to learn what you like. The Keychron C3 Pro and GMMK2 65% are solid, hot-swappable entry-level picks that let you swap switches without soldering. Pick a layout you know you'll use (65% is popular for desks — you keep the arrow keys and lose the numpad). Order a switch tester ($12–20) before committing to a full switch purchase. Once you know your preferred feel, that's when you start going deeper.