NocFree & is a wireless split mechanical keyboard built around a simple idea: let the two halves sit where they feel comfortable, without a cable between them. For the next batch, we’ve been taking a closer look at the typing feel, starting with the keycaps and switches.
Feedback from first-batch owners helped guide the work. Some found it difficult to locate the center of the flat keycaps by touch, while others found the light switch force made accidental presses too easy. We’ve redesigned the keycap shape and are adjusting the switches to address those experiences, while keeping &’s clean, low-profile look.
The new keycap design is finalized for every existing NocFree & layout. Compatible sets will also be available separately, with an extra discount for first-batch owners. Here’s a closer look at the design and what comes next.
A shallow curve for clearer finger placement
The redesigned low-profile keycaps have a gently concave top with a 0.55 mm center dish depth. That shallow curve is intended to give the fingertip a more noticeable center, making it easier to judge where a finger has landed without looking down.
We’ve considered the top surface, edges, and texture together. The goal is to offer enough room for the fingertip while keeping neighboring keys easy to distinguish. The spacing between key centers remains 19.05 mm, so the new shape works within the keyboard’s existing layout.
How we arrived at the shape
During development, we compared keycap profiles, discussed fingertip contact area and dish depth, and consulted material relating to the MIL-STD-1472H human engineering standard. That research was one reference for the design. The final shape reflects our own choices around &’s low-profile structure, layouts, and early sample testing.
We then printed a set of letter keys to check the fit and try the shape on a keyboard. In those initial trials, the curved tops gave us a clearer sense of where our fingers were landing. Printed samples helped us evaluate the contour, though their material and surface feel differ from finished injection-molded PBT keycaps. We’ll keep checking the feel in production samples and longer typing tests.
View the 1U keycap dimensions
| Design feature | Dimension |
|---|---|
| Individual keycap height | 6 mm |
| Center dish depth | 0.55 mm |
| Nominal top dimensions | Approx. 13.5 × 13.5 mm |
| Base dimensions | 18 × 18 mm |
| Key center spacing | 19.05 mm |
These dimensions describe a 1U keycap. Longer keys have their own shapes. The 6 mm measurement is the height of an individual keycap, not the assembled keyboard.
PBT keycaps, with changes to the finish and printing process
The new keycaps retain PBT material and dye sublimation printing. Alongside the shape, we’re revising the mold texture and printing process to improve surface and color consistency.
We’ve also adjusted the underside. The original bevel could affect how closely the printing film fitted around the keycap, so this change is intended to improve contact during printing. Finished samples will be checked for correct legends, even color, and consistent surfaces across the set, followed by checks for placement, orientation, and cleanliness during assembly.
Why we’re adjusting the switch actuation force
The first-batch switches were designed for a light press. For some owners, that meant an unintended touch could register too easily. We’re planning to increase the actuation force from approximately 37 gf to 45 gf, adding a little resistance alongside the new keycap shape.
Actuation force is the force needed to register a keypress, rather than the force at the bottom of the press. The revised switches are still being evaluated, and the final specifications and tolerances will be shared once confirmed. We’ll be checking accidental input, key return, and comfort during sustained typing.
Available for all existing NocFree & layouts
The redesigned keycaps will support ANSI, JIS, KR, and UK-ISO, covering all existing NocFree & layouts. Compatible sets will be sold separately for first-batch keyboards, so owners can change the keycaps on their current keyboard without buying a new one.
For first-batch owners: We’ll offer an extra discount on the new keycap sets. Pricing, availability, and details of the discount will be announced once confirmed.
For owners who need help with an existing keycap or key-response issue, support remains available through contact@nocfree.com, or help.kr@nocfree.com in South Korea. There’s no need to wait for the new sets to go on sale to get help.
What comes next
With the keycap design finalized, we’ll share production samples, printing results, and photos of the different layouts as they become available. We’ll also share the confirmed switch specifications and testing progress. The renders here show the design; the next step is to check it in finished parts.
We’re grateful to the owners who took the time to describe their experience, send photos, and try early samples. Those conversations have helped shape these changes. We look forward to sharing the finished keycaps and hearing how they feel in everyday use.
What feels right under your fingers?
A light press or a little more resistance? We’d love to hear which feels more comfortable during a long day of typing, and why. If you’ve used NocFree &, tell us what you’d keep or change about its typing feel. Leave a comment below, whether you already own one or are just getting to know us.
The NocFree Team
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