North-Facing vs South-Facing Switches: Does It Matter?

With mechanical keyboards, you will regularly come across the terms north-facing and south-facing switches.

But what do they actually mean?

And does it really make a difference to how your keyboard feels, sounds or which keycaps you can use?

Yes, sometimes. North-facing and south-facing mainly refer to the orientation of the switch and LED on the PCB. The biggest practical difference is usually RGB lighting and possible interference with certain Cherry-profile keycaps.

Quick explanation

On a north-facing keyboard, the LED is usually positioned at the top side of the switch, toward the top of the keyboard. On a south-facing keyboard, the LED is positioned at the bottom side, toward the user. Both can use the same normal MX-style switches. South-facing is often chosen to reduce possible interference with Cherry-profile keycaps, while north-facing can be beneficial for shine-through legends positioned at the top of keycaps.

1. What does north-facing mean?

North-facing means the switch is oriented on the PCB so that the LED opening or LED side points toward the top of the keyboard.

On a normal keyboard, “north” therefore means toward the function row or rear of the keyboard.

2. What does south-facing mean?

South-facing means the switch is rotated 180 degrees compared with north-facing.

The LED side then points toward the user or bottom of the keyboard.

3. Are north-facing and south-facing different switches?

No.

Usually, they are the same standard MX-style switches.

The difference is the orientation in which the switch is installed on the PCB.

4. Can you use the same switch north-facing and south-facing?

With many standard MX-style switches, yes.

The switch itself has the same:

• housing;
• stem;
• electrical contacts;
• mounting;
• internal operation.

The PCB determines which direction the switch is installed.

5. What is the biggest difference between north-facing and south-facing?

For most users, the main differences are:

• RGB light transmission;
• position of shine-through legends;
• possible Cherry-profile keycap interference;
• space around certain switch housings.

6. Does the switch itself feel different?

Normally not.

A linear switch remains linear, a tactile switch remains tactile and a clicky switch remains clicky.

The internal force curve does not change because the switch is installed rotated by 180 degrees.

7. What is Cherry-profile interference?

Cherry-profile interference means that a keycap can hit the top of the switch housing when pressed.

This is mainly associated with:

• north-facing switches;
• certain Cherry-profile keycaps;
• certain traditional MX-style switch housings;
• certain keyboard configurations.

8. Why does Cherry-profile interference happen?

Cherry-profile keycaps are relatively low.

On certain rows, the inside of the keycap can contact the north-facing switch housing during a keypress before the switch fully bottoms out.

This can affect the feel and sound of the keypress.

9. Which rows are usually affected?

The issue is traditionally discussed mainly around the middle rows of Cherry-profile keycaps.

The exact rows and severity depend on:

• keycap shape;
• switch housing;
• stem length;
• plate;
• PCB layout.

10. Do all north-facing keyboards have Cherry-profile interference?

No.

This is important.

Not every north-facing keyboard automatically has this problem.

Modern switches, long-pole stems, different housings and differences in keyboard construction can reduce the chance of interference or prevent it completely.

11. Do south-facing switches have this problem?

Much less often.

With south-facing orientation, the highest section of the housing is on the opposite side relative to the keycap.

That is why south-facing is often chosen by keyboards designed to provide broad compatibility with Cherry-profile keycaps.

12. Is south-facing therefore always better?

No.

South-facing has advantages for certain keycap combinations, but north-facing can actually be more beneficial for RGB shine-through keycaps.

Which orientation is better depends on what matters to you.

13. Why is north-facing popular on RGB keyboards?

On many keycaps, transparent or translucent legends are positioned toward the top of the keycap.

A north-facing LED is closer to that area.

This can allow the light to illuminate the legend more directly and brightly.

14. Is north-facing RGB always brighter?

Not necessarily.

RGB performance also depends on:

• switch housing;
• light diffuser;
• LED type;
• keycap material;
• legend position;
• PCB and plate.

Orientation is only one factor.

15. Does RGB work poorly with south-facing switches?

No.

South-facing keyboards can have excellent RGB lighting.

The difference is mainly noticeable with north-positioned shine-through legends near the top of the keycap.

16. What are shine-through keycaps?

Shine-through keycaps have legends that allow RGB light to pass through.

On many gaming keycaps, these legends are positioned on the upper half of the keycap.

That is why north-facing LED positioning often works well with this type of keycap.

17. What if your keycaps do not have shine-through legends?

Then the RGB difference is usually less important.

With normal dye-sub or double-shot keycaps without transparent legends, RGB is often mainly visible:

• between the keycaps;
• around the switches;
• through transparent switch housings.

18. Does switch housing transparency matter?

Yes.

A transparent or semi-transparent housing can spread RGB better than a fully opaque housing.

As a result, a south-facing setup can still provide plenty of light around the keycaps.

19. Can you rotate north-facing switches to south-facing?

Not simply.

The PCB determines where the:

• electrical contact holes;
• central mounting;
• LED;
• hot-swap socket

are located.

You therefore cannot simply rotate a switch 180 degrees if the PCB is not designed for it.

20. Can a hot-swap keyboard support both orientations?

Normally not on the same switch position.

A hot-swap socket and PCB footprint are designed for one specific orientation.

The switch must be installed accordingly.

21. Does 3-pin vs 5-pin have anything to do with north-facing vs south-facing?

No.

These are two different characteristics.

3-pin and 5-pin describe the mounting on the bottom of the switch.

North-facing and south-facing describe the direction in which the switch is positioned on the PCB.

Also read: What Are 3-Pin and 5-Pin Keyboard Switches?

22. Does hot-swap have anything to do with orientation?

Not directly.

Both north-facing and south-facing keyboards can be hot-swappable.

Hot-swap only means compatible switches can be replaced without soldering.

Also read: What Is a Hot-Swappable Keyboard Switch?

23. Do the same switches fit north-facing and south-facing keyboards?

Often yes.

If both keyboards use standard MX mechanical switches, the same switch model can usually be used in both keyboards.

The switch is simply installed in a different direction.

24. Are linear switches better south-facing?

No.

A linear switch does not become internally better or worse because of its orientation.

The difference mainly concerns keycap clearance and RGB.

25. Are tactile switches better south-facing?

Not automatically either.

A tactile switch keeps the same bump and force curve.

South-facing can only have an indirect effect when north-facing interference would otherwise change the bottom-out feel.

26. Are clicky switches different when north-facing?

The click mechanism itself does not change.

A clicky switch continues to produce the same click.

Only possible keycap interference or RGB lighting may differ.

27. Does switch orientation affect sound?

Usually only indirectly.

If there is no keycap interference, orientation by itself should not strongly change switch sound.

However, if a keycap hits the housing, this can create an additional contact sound or different bottom-out sound.

28. Does orientation affect actuation?

No.

The switch's actuation force and actuation point remain the same.

The electrical operation does not change because the switch is installed in the opposite direction.

29. Does orientation affect total travel?

The physical specification of the switch does not change.

However, when keycap interference is present, the keycap can hit the housing earlier than expected.

This can subjectively make the key feel as if its movement is limited sooner.

30. Are Cherry-profile keycaps impossible to use on north-facing keyboards?

No.

Many people use Cherry-profile keycaps on north-facing keyboards without problems.

Compatibility depends on the specific combination of:

• switch;
• keycap;
• keyboard;
• plate;
• stem and housing.

31. Can long-pole switches help with interference?

Often yes.

Long-pole switches can bottom out on the stem earlier, before the keycap contacts the housing.

This can eliminate traditional north-facing interference with certain combinations.

However, this depends on the specific switch design.

32. Can washers or spacers help?

In some situations, thin spacers or washers are used to make the keycaps sit slightly higher.

This can create additional clearance.

However, it is a workaround and is usually unnecessary if the switch and keycap combination is already compatible.

33. What if you use OEM-profile keycaps?

OEM profile is usually taller than Cherry profile.

Traditional north-facing interference is therefore generally much less relevant.

34. What if you use SA, XDA or other profiles?

The classic interference issue is mainly associated with Cherry profile.

Other keycap profiles have different heights and shapes and are therefore not affected in exactly the same way.

35. Which orientation is better for RGB gaming keycaps?

If you use shine-through legends positioned at the top of the keycap, north-facing can be more beneficial.

The LED is then closer to the legend, which can illuminate it more directly.

36. Which orientation is better for Cherry-profile keycaps?

South-facing is usually the safer choice when you want maximum compatibility with traditional Cherry-profile keycaps.

But this does not mean Cherry profile automatically has problems on every north-facing PCB.

37. Which orientation should you choose for a custom keyboard?

That depends on your priorities.

Priority	Often more beneficial
Cherry-profile compatibility	South-facing
Top shine-through RGB legends	North-facing
No shine-through keycaps	Either is fine
Switch feel	Usually no direct difference
MX switch compatibility	Usually both

38. Should you avoid north-facing?

No.

North-facing is not bad.

For many keyboards and keycap sets, it works without problems and can provide benefits for RGB shine-through.

You mainly need to check whether your specific Cherry-profile combination is sensitive to interference.

39. Should you always choose south-facing?

No.

South-facing is popular in custom mechanical keyboards because of keycap clearance, but it is not a requirement for a good keyboard.

40. How do you know which orientation your keyboard has?

Remove a keycap and look at the switch.

Check where the LED or LED opening is located:

• toward the top of the keyboard = north-facing;
• toward the user = south-facing.

The product specifications may also mention this explicitly.

41. Does orientation affect switch compatibility?

With normal MX-style switches, usually not directly.

You still need to check the normal compatibility factors:

• MX mechanical vs optical vs Hall Effect;
• 3-pin vs 5-pin;
• hot-swap socket;
• plate;
• footprint.

Also read: How Do I Know If a Switch Will Fit My Keyboard?

42. Common mistakes

• Thinking north-facing and south-facing are two different switch types.
• Assuming every north-facing PCB has problems with Cherry profile.
• Assuming south-facing always has better RGB.
• Confusing 3-pin/5-pin with switch orientation.
• Thinking orientation changes actuation force.
• Only looking at the PCB while ignoring the keycaps and switches being used.

Conclusion

North-facing vs south-facing can sometimes matter, but it does not change how the switch works internally.

The main difference is usually RGB positioning and possible Cherry-profile keycap interference.

North-facing can be more beneficial for shine-through legends positioned at the top of keycaps.

South-facing is often chosen for broader compatibility with Cherry-profile keycaps.

If you use normal MX-style switches and do not experience interference, orientation usually has little effect on the actual switch feel.

Always consider the combination of keyboard, switch and keycap profile instead of treating north-facing or south-facing as simply good or bad.