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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: aref on Sun, 25 May 2014, 14:57:46
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1. How does one measure a key cap to determine its size?
2. What unit measure for key-cap dimensions?
3. Finally, where on a key cap does one take a key-cap measurement? (I would think the outer perimeter at the base with respect to a keyboard's spatial relationship re key-cap fit.)
I looked under GH Wiki and searched the web... squat, zilch, nada. rien, nichts.
If you can help, I'd appreciate it. Thank you, GH.
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relative to a 1 unit alpha key is usually how its done
apart from that the bottom part of the key for technical measurements
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? Kinda confused here.
From my understanding, this is how it goes.
1 is just your standard size key for a single switch, something like the letters and numbers on a keyboard.
1.25 is the size of one and a quarter 1 unit keys, this is for keys like window, ctrl, alt, menu, fn, etc on a standard winkey keyboard.
1.5 is the size of 1 and a half 1 unit keys is for ctrl, alt, etc for a winkeyless keyboard.
And so on, same goes for spacebars and shift keys and everything.
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relative to a 1 unit alpha key is usually how its done
I figured that. The closest I can get to an actual measurement is 18mm in X and Y dimensions for a single unit alpha key, taking base measurements.
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If one wants to order an oddly sized key cap and has to order a specific size, the standard unit of measure is, mm?
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If one wants to order an oddly sized key cap and has to order a specific size, the standard unit of measure is, mm?
nobody does mm
even when sp sells stuff in the warehouse its in 6.25x, 7x, 2x, 3x, 4.5x etc
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1x, 1.25x, etc
no one uses actual measurements. the retailers/manufacturers will understand what you mean.
unless you're trying to make a truly custom width cap instead of trying to replace an existing cap?
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1x, 1.25x, etc
no one uses actual measurements. the retailers/manufacturers will understand what you mean.
unless you're trying to make a truly custom width cap instead of trying to replace an existing cap?
You nailed it! In ordering a custom-width key cap, how does one express the unit of measure?
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are you trying to get one 3d printed?
if so, use w/e measurements the printer needs.
if you're trying to get a keycap manufacturer to make one for you (PIM), then you'll need to pay for a new mold and there should be someone at the company working with you for up to several weeks and 3000+ dollars depending on complexity and errors.
if you're talking to an artisan, just ask them what they want.
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1x, 1.25x, etc
no one uses actual measurements. the retailers/manufacturers will understand what you mean.
unless you're trying to make a truly custom width cap instead of trying to replace an existing cap?
You nailed it! In ordering a custom-width key cap, how does one express the unit of measure?
You can't really simply order a key of a specific width...but if you want to get a key produced from scratch, you'd probally either need a master or a 3D image of said key, all of which can be measured in whatever you want it to be
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This link may help you OP (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.0#post_MMM)
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This link may help you OP (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.0#post_MMM)
CAPTBadAss: Thank you. My standard metric ruler measurement came out out a tad less than damorgue's, about 18mm for a 1x1 cap.
According to GH member 'damorgue' "...a Unit by Cherry...is 19.05mm. 2.25u is the same as 2.25*19.05mm"
This tells me I'm on the right track. The key caps' and ratios fit this measurement, albeit lacking in dead-on accuracy. Nonetheless, it's pretty close.
According to Jacobolus, "...For instance, SP 1x keycaps are 0.725" (18.42 mm) wide..." This is more in line with my measurement with a common metric ruler.
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19.05 isn't the size of a 1 unit cap.
19.05 is the distance between the centres of two MX switches with 1u keycaps on them that are next to each other.
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19.05 isn't the size of a 1 unit cap.
19.05 is the distance between the centres of two MX switches with 1u keycaps on them that are next to each other.
Your're right. I had to change the info. I measured 18.xx for the width of a 1x cap. But my measuring device is not accurate--it's a simple plastic ruler.
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A keycap IS 18mm not the 19.05. This is because there has to be space between the keycaps.
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Thanks, GH.