How much does a custom keyboard cost?
A complete hot-swap custom keyboard cost $104.39 to $384.78 with parts in stock on Nov 7, 2026. The cheapest was a 60% at $104.39: the Keychron V4 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard ($59.99), 43 Studio Jing Linear Switches ($14.40 for 72) and KAP Vella Keycaps ($30). Mid-range builds cost $152.34 to $259.18, depending on size. An assembled hot-swap keyboard costs less. The Royal Kludge RK61 60% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard was $49.99 at Royal Kludge.
Prices are before shipping and tax. Every build below passes the build planner’s fit checks, and you can copy any of them into the planner to swap parts.
Prices and stock checked Nov 7, 2026.
What a custom keyboard costs by size
The cheapest build uses the lowest-priced parts that fit. Mid-range uses the median-priced kit, switches and keycaps that fit, and premium uses parts near the top tenth of prices in stock.
| Size | Cheapest | Mid-range | Premium | Assembled hot-swap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | $104.39 | $192.34 | $267.18 | $49.99, Royal Kludge RK61 60% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard |
| 65% | $107.38 | $152.34 | $333.18 | $59.99, Royal Kludge R65 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard |
| 75% | $116.98 | $189.18 | $330.78 | $54.99, Royal Kludge RK84 75% Wired Mechanical Keyboard |
| TKL (80%) | $120.98 | $259.18 | $309.78 | $54.99, Keychron C1 Pro 8K QMK Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard |
| Full size (100%) | $126.58 | $186.02 | $384.78 | $54.99, Royal Kludge RK920 Full Size Mechanical Keyboard |
Each build, part by part
Switch prices buy whole packs for the kit’s switch count. Some store links earn us a commission at no cost to you (disclosure).
60% builds
| Part | Cheapest | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | Keychron V4 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard$59.99 at Keychron | Keychron V4 Max QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard$84.99 at Keychron | Keychron Q4 Pro QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard$143.99 at Keychron |
| Switches | 43 Studio Jing Linear Switches$14.40 at Divinikey | HMX Retro C Linear Switches$27.36 at Divinikey | Gateron Mini i Tactile Switch$43.20 at Kinetic Labs |
| Keycaps | KAP Vella Keycaps$30 at KBDfans | Backrooms PBT Keycaps$79.99 at Kinetic Labs | Pikarar x Hipyo Tech PBT Keycaps$79.99 at Kinetic Labs |
| Total | $104.39 | $192.34 | $267.18 |
Customize:
65% builds
| Part | Cheapest | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | Keychron Q2 QMK 65% Keyboard$59.99 at Keychron | Nut65 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard$84.99 at Kinetic Labs | Keychron Q2 Max 65% Wireless Keyboard$209.99 at Keychron |
| Switches | 43 Studio Jing Linear Switches$14.40 at Divinikey | HMX Retro C Linear Switches$27.36 at Divinikey | Gateron Mini i Tactile Switch$43.20 at Kinetic Labs |
| Keycaps | Keychron OEM Profile PBT Retro Keycap Set$32.99 at Keychron | OSA Dye-Sub PBT Full Set Keycap Set - New York$39.99 at Keychron | Mardeluna Picnic PBT Keycaps$79.99 at Kinetic Labs |
| Total | $107.38 | $152.34 | $333.18 |
Customize:
75% builds
| Part | Cheapest | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | GMK81 75% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard$65.99 at Kinetic Labs | Keychron V1 Max 75% Wireless Keyboard$114.99 at Keychron | Lemokey L1 QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Gaming Keyboard$194.99 at Keychron |
| Switches | 43 Studio Jing Linear Switches$18 at Divinikey | HMX Retro C Linear Switches$34.20 at Divinikey | Moon V2 Linear Switches$55.80 at Kinetic Labs |
| Keycaps | Keychron OEM Profile PBT Retro Keycap Set$32.99 at Keychron | OSA Dye-Sub PBT Full Set Keycap Set - New York$39.99 at Keychron | Coffee Shop V2 PBT Keycaps$79.99 at Kinetic Labs |
| Total | $116.98 | $189.18 | $330.78 |
Customize:
TKL (80%) builds
| Part | Cheapest | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | GMK87 TKL Wireless Mechanical Keyboard$69.99 at Kinetic Labs | Lemokey L4 QMK Wireless Custom Gaming Keyboard$184.99 at Keychron | Lemokey L3 QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard$194.99 at Keychron |
| Switches | 43 Studio Jing Linear Switches$18 at Divinikey | HMX Retro C Linear Switches$34.20 at Divinikey | Gateron Mini i Tactile Switch$64.80 at Kinetic Labs |
| Keycaps | Keychron OEM Profile PBT Retro Keycap Set$32.99 at Keychron | OSA Dye-Sub PBT Full Set Keycap Set - New York$39.99 at Keychron | OEM Dye-Sub PBT Keycap Set - Ocean$49.99 at Keychron |
| Total | $120.98 | $259.18 | $309.78 |
Customize:
Full size (100%) builds
| Part | Cheapest | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | GMK104 100% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard$71.99 at Kinetic Labs | Keychron K10 QMK Wireless Mechanical Keyboard (Version 2)$104.99 at Keychron | Keychron Q6 Max Full Wireless Keyboard$239.99 at Keychron |
| Switches | 43 Studio Jing Linear Switches$21.60 at Divinikey | HMX Retro C Linear Switches$41.04 at Divinikey | Gateron Mini i Tactile Switch$64.80 at Kinetic Labs |
| Keycaps | Keychron OEM Profile PBT Retro Keycap Set$32.99 at Keychron | Poster - Cherry Profile Dye-Sub PBT Full Keycap Set$39.99 at Keychron | Coffee Shop V2 PBT Keycaps$79.99 at Kinetic Labs |
| Total | $126.58 | $186.02 | $384.78 |
Customize:
Is it cheaper to build or buy?
Buying is cheaper if you only want a hot-swap keyboard. In all 5 sizes above, an assembled hot-swap board costs less than the cheapest custom build, and you can still change its switches later. A custom build costs more because you pick the case, switches and keycaps one by one.
See every assembled option in hot-swap keyboards under $100 or start from kits under $100.
What people forget to budget
Shipping, and any part the kit leaves out. Each store ships its part separately, and the cheapest 60% build above buys from 3 stores, so expect 3 shipping charges unless an order clears a free-shipping minimum.
Check whether the kit includes stabilizers and a cable. If it doesn’t, add a set of stabilizers that fit its plate or PCB. Switch packs round up, so you usually get a few spares without paying for extra. How many switches do I need? has the counts.
Common questions
What is the cheapest way to build a custom keyboard?
Pick a hot-swap kit, budget linear switches and a plain keycap set. On Nov 7, 2026 that came to $104.39 for a 60%: the Keychron V4 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard ($59.99), 43 Studio Jing Linear Switches ($14.40 for 72) and KAP Vella Keycaps ($30).
Is a custom keyboard worth it over a prebuilt?
If you want to choose the case, switches and keycaps, yes. If you just want a good keyboard, a prebuilt costs less. On Nov 7, 2026 the Royal Kludge RK84 75% Wired Mechanical Keyboard (hot-swap, assembled) was $54.99, against $116.98 for the cheapest custom 75% build.
How much do switches cost for a whole keyboard?
For a 75%, from $18 for the 43 Studio Jing Linear Switches in our cheapest build to $55.80 for the Moon V2 Linear Switches in our premium build. Most of the 129 switches in stock cost $0.22 to $0.61 each.
Why do the prices on this page change?
We re-check store prices and stock with every catalog refresh and rebuild these examples every hour from parts in stock. When a part sells out, the next part that fits at that price level takes its place. The date at the top of the page is the latest check.
New to building? Start with what you need to build a keyboard, or set a budget in the custom keyboard builder.