PBT and ABS are the two most common keycap materials. They look similar at first, but the feel, sound, and long term wear are very different.
At a glance
| Material | Texture | Sound | Wear | Typical legends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBT | Slightly textured | Deeper, lower pitch | Resists shine | Dye-sub, doubleshot |
| ABS | Smooth | Brighter, higher pitch | Shines over time | Doubleshot |
Texture and feel
- PBT has a lightly textured surface that stays grippy.
- ABS starts smooth and can get shinier with heavy use.
If you like a matte feel, PBT is a reliable default. If you like a smooth, glossy feel, ABS is a good choice.
Sound profile
Sound is affected by many factors (case, plate, foam), but material still matters:
- PBT tends to sound deeper and more muted.
- ABS tends to sound brighter and sharper.
Legends and color
- Doubleshot legends are crisp and long lasting, common on ABS.
- Dye-sub legends are common on PBT and give a softer, printed look.
Backlighting and color saturation
- ABS is more light-transmissive, so shine-through legends tend to look brighter.
- PBT is denser and often looks more muted, which can be great for a calm, matte palette.
- Doubleshot PBT exists but is less common and usually a bit dimmer than ABS in RGB boards.
Explore legend methods:
- Doubleshot: keycaps.dev/materials/doubleshot
- Dye-sub: keycaps.dev/materials/pbt-dye-sub
Which should you pick?
Choose PBT if you want durability and texture. Choose ABS if you want vivid colors and a lighter sound.
More material pages:
Studio tip
In Studio, set Material = PBT or ABS and compare results side by side:
- Studio: keycaps.dev/ai-keycaps-generator
You can also combine material with shine-through styles for backlit boards:
FAQ
Does PBT always sound deeper? Often yes, but case and plate choice matter more than material alone.
Is ABS always cheaper? Not necessarily. High quality ABS doubleshot sets can be premium.