You've spotted the coolest keycaps, maybe with pastel vibes, or a design that matches your entire gaming setup. But hey, do they even fit your keyboard? 🤔
It can be a bit confusing to figure out which keycaps fit which keyboard, especially if you're new to the custom keyboard game. But don't worry, bestie, I got you 🫶 Here's your easy guide to checking if your new keycaps match your current keyboard.
1. ⌨ Mechanical vs. membrane
Keycap sets are typically not made for standard membrane keyboards.
Most keycap sets on the market are designed for mechanical keyboards with MX stems (Cherry MX or compatible switches), because this is the standard used in most gaming and enthusiast keyboards. Regular membrane keyboards – like the ones that come with office PCs – rarely have replaceable keycaps at all.
You can tell if your keyboard is mechanical or membrane by removing a keycap and checking underneath:
- A mechanical keyboard has a distinct individual switch under each key (usually a colored plastic mechanism that may click).
- A membrane keyboard has a rubber or plastic dome and feels softer with no click when pressed.
2. 🔍 Know your keyboard layout
First step: Find out which layout your keyboard uses. The most important thing here is the difference between ISO and ANSI :
-
ISO : Typically used in Europe. Has a "tall" Enter key (looks like an inverted L) and a slightly shorter left Shift.
-
ANSI : More common in the US. The Enter key is flat and oblong, and the left Shift is longer.
🇩🇰 Most Danish keyboards use the ISO layout , but check it just to be sure!
3. ⌨️ How big is your keyboard?
Keyboards come in many sizes - and this affects which keycaps you need. Here are the most common ones:
-
100% – Full size with numpad
-
80% / TKL (Tenkeyless) – Without numpad
-
75% / 65% / 60% – Small and compact (and super aesthetic)
-
40% / ortho – Mostly for hardcore keyboard enthusiasts interested in programming their own keyboard
The smaller your keyboard, the more unique keycaps you need (e.g. short Shift keys)
4. 🇩🇰 Remember æ, ø and å - and the thing about symbols...
When shopping for keycaps, you should also make sure they support the Danish layout if you want keys with æ, ø and å . Many keycap sets (especially those with fancy designs from abroad) are only made for English (US ANSI) - and then you're missing the Danish letters 🫠
👉 If Danish keys are not included, you can still use the set - but you must be ok with:
-
æøå is missing (and may need to be mapped yourself via software)
-
some symbols don't match what you press
Also check how the symbols on the number row (R1) are placed. On English keyboards, for example, “&” and “/” are in different places than on Danish keyboards – so even if the keycap has a symbol, it may be printed in the wrong place in relation to where it is actually activated.
Example:
On a Danish ISO layout, you type “&” with Shift + 6
On a US ANSI layout, type “&” with Shift + 7
If you use a Danish layout and put on English keycaps, the symbols will be positioned incorrectly in relation to what you actually press.
5. ⬇️ Check your bottom row - it's more important than you think
Okay, let's talk bottom row – the bottom row of the keyboard where your spacebar and Alt/Windows/Ctrl keys sit. It may look innocent, but trust me: it's important when buying keycaps.
Do you have the standard bottom row ?
Most keycap sets are designed for a so-called standard bottom row , which typically looks like this:
-
Ctrl – Win – Alt – [spacebar] – AltGr – Fn – Menu – Ctrl
-
Where all modifier keys are 1.25 units wide , and the spacebar is 6.25U
But! Some keyboards (especially from brands like Corsair, Razer and Logitech) use a non-standard bottom row - here the keys are either wider, narrower or in a completely different configuration.
🛠️ How to check:
-
Look at your spacebar - is it 6.25U wide (about 11.7 cm)?
-
Are the keys that sit right next to each other 1.25U (about 2.4 cm) and the same size ?
-
Or are the keys different in width?
If you answer yes to 1 and 2 = you're good - your keycaps probably fit.
If in doubt = measure with a ruler or google your keyboard model + “bottom row layout”.
TL;DR - Checklist before buying keycaps:
✅ 1. Is your keyboard mechanial and not membrane?
✅ 2. What layout does your keyboard have? (ISO vs. ANSI)
✅ 3. Do the keycaps support the size of your keyboard? (100%, 65%, 60%, etc.)
✅ 4. Do the keycaps have Danish language with æøå keys included?
✅ 5. Do the keycaps fit the bottom row of your keyboard?
