Primary tool

Keyboard Switch Sound Analyzer

Press a key near your mic — the tool classifies it as Linear, Tactile, or Clicky.

Keyboard Switch Sound Analyzer

Q: My microphone isn't detected. What do I do?

Check browser permissions — click the microphone icon in your address bar and allow access. On Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Site Settings → Microphone. On Firefox: click the lock icon → Permissions → Microphone.

Q: Why does it say 'Clicky' when I have linear switches?

Plate resonance, stabilizer rattle, or a hollow case can add high-frequency components to an otherwise linear keystroke. Try pressing a key in the center of the keyboard away from large stabilizers, and consider adding foam dampening.

Q: Is my audio data stored?

No — all processing runs locally in your browser using the Web Audio API. No audio is ever sent to any server. Your microphone stream is released as soon as you stop the test.

Real-time FFT analysis classifies your mechanical keyboard switches by their sound profile

Instructions: Click "Start Listening", then press a key on your keyboard near your microphone. Hold the mic 10–20 cm from the board for best results.

Input Level

— dB

Switch Classification

—

Peak Frequency

—

Peak dB

This test runs entirely in your browser. No data is collected or transmitted.

Mic-based

Uses your browser microphone — no external hardware needed

Real FFT Analysis

Web Audio API AnalyserNode processes 2048 frequency bins

Instant Classification

Linear, Tactile, or Clicky result within 300ms of keypress

100% Browser

No download, no signup — works in Chrome, Firefox, Edge

Linear, Tactile, and Clicky — What Does Your Switch Sound Say?

Mechanical keyboard switches produce three distinctly different acoustic profiles, and the dominant frequency of the sound tells you exactly which type you have. Linear switches (such as Cherry MX Red, Speed Silver, or Gateron Yellow) actuate smoothly without a bump or click, producing a low-frequency thud concentrated below 500 Hz. Enthusiasts call this the coveted "thock" sound — deep, muted, and satisfying. Tactile switches (Brown, Clear, Boba U4) add a physical bump at the actuation point, which generates a mid-range snap in the 500–2000 Hz band. You feel the feedback, and the mic catches the corresponding frequency spike. Clicky switches (Blue, Green, Box White) include a dedicated click mechanism that fires a sharp, bright sound rich in frequencies above 2000 Hz — the crispest and loudest of the three profiles. This analyzer measures those exact frequency signatures in real time to classify your switches automatically.

How the Keyboard Sound Analyzer Works

When you click "Start Listening," the tool requests microphone access and creates a Web Audio API AudioContext with an AnalyserNode configured for 2048 FFT bins. The FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) breaks the raw audio waveform into individual frequency components — similar to how a prism splits white light into a spectrum. The tool continuously monitors the incoming amplitude. When it detects a keypress (amplitude spikes above the detection threshold), it captures a 300ms window of audio, calls getByteFrequencyData() to read all 2048 frequency bins, and identifies the bin with the highest energy. That bin is converted to a frequency in Hz using the formula: peak_hz = (bin_index × sample_rate) / fftSize. The resulting frequency is then compared against the three threshold bands to produce the Linear / Tactile / Clicky classification. Mic placement matters: position the microphone 10–20 cm directly in front of the keyboard at desk level for the cleanest frequency reading.

Is My Keyboard Too Loud? Decibel Levels Explained

Office environments typically target 60–65 dB(A) ambient noise — roughly the volume of a normal conversation. Individual keystrokes from mechanical switches can reach peak levels of 45–70 dB(A) depending on switch type and surface materials. Linear switches on a desk mat typically measure 45–52 dB — quiet enough for most open offices. Tactile switches sit around 50–58 dB for the bump snap plus the bottom-out impact. Clicky switches are the loudest, commonly measuring 55–70 dB — clearly audible on video calls and in quiet shared spaces. The dB meter in this tool shows the relative amplitude of your keypress capture, which gives a comparative measure even without a calibrated microphone. If co-workers regularly comment on your keyboard noise, switching to linear switches with O-ring dampeners typically cuts peak levels by 8–12 dB.

How to Reduce Keyboard Noise

Even clicky or loud keyboards can be tamed significantly with a few modifications. O-rings are silicone dampening rings that fit around the keycap stem and cushion the bottom-out impact — they typically reduce keystroke noise by 5–10 dB at the cost of a slightly shorter travel feel. Desk mats (large foam or rubber mouse pads) absorb case resonance and lower the effective surface reflection, cutting overall loudness by 3–6 dB. Case foam — placing craft foam or neoprene inside the keyboard case between the PCB and bottom plate — eliminates hollow case ping that amplifies switch noise. Switch lubricant such as Krytox 205g0 applied to linear switch rails removes the friction-based rattle component, which is often responsible for the high-frequency spike that causes this analyzer to misclassify linears as tactile. For the best results combine all four: desk mat, case foam, lubed switches, and O-ring dampeners — this setup can bring even loud clicky switches into office-acceptable territory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this tool identify my exact switch model?

No — it classifies by sound profile (linear/tactile/clicky). Exact model identification needs manual lookup. The frequency signature tells you the acoustic character, not the specific brand or model of the switch.

My microphone isn't detected. What do I do?

Check browser permissions — click the mic icon in your address bar and allow access. On Chrome go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Site Settings → Microphone. Make sure no other application is exclusively holding the mic device.

Why does it say "Clicky" when I have linear switches?

Plate resonance or stabilizer rattle can add high-frequency components. Try pressing a key in the center of the keyboard, away from large stabilizers. Adding case foam and lubing stabilizers often fixes misclassification.

Does this work on mobile?

Yes — tap a key on a connected Bluetooth keyboard or use any object to tap a surface near your phone's microphone. Hold the mic close (5–10 cm) to the keyboard for best results. Mobile browsers support getUserMedia in Safari 11+ and Chrome for Android.

Is my audio data stored?

No — all processing runs locally in your browser. No audio is ever sent to any server. Your microphone stream is released as soon as you click Stop or leave the page.

More testing tools

Explore the full suite for keyboard, mouse, audio, and utilities.

Language support: All major tools are available in 8 languages - Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Japanese, German, and Korean. Select your language from the header menu to switch.