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What is keyboard foam?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 22, 2026

So, keyboard foam reduces the space in the board and reduces this unwanted hollow sound. Foam mitigates unwanted case ping, which is the high-pitched reverberation caused by typing in a stock metal case. Additionally, the keyboard sounds notably deeper and fuller overall.

Should I put foam in my keyboard?

It is not expensive and it helps make keyboards sound better. In some cases, the sound improvements are drastic, but in other cases, it might only make a little difference. ALSO–foam can make your keyboard feel better.

What is plate foam for keyboard?

Plate/PCB Foam:

Reducing the space in which the main cause of sound originates, that is, the switches in the plate, will significantly reduce reverberation and limit the space in which the sound can travel.

How thick should your keyboard foam be?

The thickness of this strip of foam should be at least 1mm for effective dampening and shouldn't exceed 2mm, or the PCB will snag on it.

What does PE foam do?

A thin foam made of plastic, sandwiched between PCB and Plate is meant to reflect sound back to you rather than let it travel travel past the PCB and into the case below. While it does make the sound much more unique, PE Mod may also flatten the sound signature and limit the frequency ranges you hear when typing.

16 related questions found

How can I make my keyboard sound better?

Let's jump into our list.

  1. Use a Desk Mat. Using a desk mat underneath your keyboard is one of the easiest ways to reduce the sound of your keyboard. ...
  2. Add Foam Inside Keyboard. ...
  3. Install Rubber O-Rings. ...
  4. Mod Your Stabilizers (Band-Aid, Clip, and Lube) ...
  5. Lube Your Switches. ...
  6. Replace Your Switches.

Are O rings worth it keyboard?

O-rings can be a good option if you want to dampen the noise and make your keyboard more quiet. Just be careful when picking them out, because O-rings can ruin the typing experience of your keyboard if you're not careful. If you're interested in the best quiet mechanical keyboards, check out this article.

Why is my keyboard so loud?

The key reason behind noisy mechanical keyboards is the very mechanism by which they work. A slider under the keycap transfers the force you exert on a keyboard key down to the spring, in turn activating the electrical circuit. The transfer of force produces noise, but that is how keyboard input is fed to your system.

Why are gaming keyboards so loud?

Gaming keyboards are so loud because they're made using plastic and most high-end gaming keyboards have mechanical switches as actuators under each key. Other factors include sticky or faulty switches, no buffer between the keyboard and desk surface, unusual keycaps, or unstable support sliders.

Are Cherry MX Browns loud?

Neither switch is extremely loud, in fact the Cherry MX Reds are relatively quiet. Here is noise breakdown in simple terms: Cherry MX Red = Quiet. Cherry MX Brown = Moderately Loud.

How do I quiet my membrane keyboard?

One very easy option is tiny o-rings made of silicone meant for sealing gaskets. To quiet the keyboard, they can be placed around the stem of a key so that hitting the keyboard plate doesn't make such a loud noise.

How do you put an O-ring on the keyboard?

After a while, rinse them with cold, clear water and let them dry). Now turn the keycap around and put an O-ring onto the round stem in the middle of the keycap. It doesn't have to be pushed all the way back, this will happen automatically when you push the keycap back gently and straight down into place.

How do you get your keyboard clicks louder?

You can adjust the keyboard volume by going to Settings > Sounds > Keyboard Clicks.

Are mechanical keyboards quiet?

The biggest downside to mechanical keyboards is undoubtedly their noise. The clicking of the keys can be so loud and annoying, you might find yourself hearing it in your sleep. And if you work around other people, it's almost certainly worse for them.

Are all mechanical keyboards loud?

Not all mechanical keyboards are loud. Choosing a keyboard that uses silent mechanical switches will ensure your keyboard typing noise is kept to a minimum. If you already have a mechanical keyboard, replacing the switches or installing rubber o-rings will ensure the noise is reduced too.

What are Rubber keycaps?

Rubberized keycaps are more-or-less what they sound like—keycaps that are coated in rubber, but with texture added to the top of them. The caps look similar to something a user might find when opening a Corsair keyboard box, which typically holds extra WASD caps that have texture and are a different color.

What can I use instead of O-rings keyboard?

Softening pads are a great alternative to o-rings. Instead of rubber softening pads are made out of foam, which can be placed on top of your key switch. This reduces the vibration of the clicking noise when you start typing. These pads will also keep most of the mechanical feel of your keyboard compared to o-rings.

What does PE foam look like?

Polyethylene foams are most commonly seen in black, white, and blue, as well as pink anti-static foam, with other colors also available.

Is PE foam conductive?

typically, no, not conductive. commonly used as an insulator.

What type of foam is best for keyboards?

Neoprene is probably the best bang for your buck option. It has similar sound proofing qualities to it as sorbothane, except it is more budget-friendly. On top of that, you can buy a big roll of the foam and use it on multiple keyboards. While it's still not cheap, it's definitely more affordable than sorbothane.

Is Eva foam safe for keyboards?

EVA is a material that has various properties which make it suitable for use in keyboards, but it has a caveat: for a while after manufacturing, the material goes through a process called "off-gassing".