The Kailh Choc v2 switch lineup is quickly expanding in 2025.
On the other hand, we had come to the conclusion that the only way to achieve “narrow pitch, Choc v2 switches, and low-profile keycaps” was to make our own keycaps.
In the midst of all this, beekeeb published the article “Choc Spacing Keycaps for Choc v2 Key Switches,” which is introduced in this issue.
Greenkeys also conducted direct interviews with beekeeb.jp (GK Kurumi) during the Toucan interview, and confirmed the narrow pitch specifications of “board pitch: 17mm (height) x 18mm (width)” and “compatible keycaps: within 16.5 x 17.5mm” before making the X-post. ( GreenKeys )
This beekeeb commentary can be described as a systematic verbalization of such a “narrow pitch problem” for the global market.
This article presents the key points from Greenkeys perspective.
The “keycap issue” smoldering behind the Kailh Choc v2 boom
The spark for the Kailh Choc v2 keyswitch was probably the Lofree Flow, which made its debut on Kickstarter at the end of May 2023.
Many people were surprised by the smooth keystroke feel that overturned the conventional wisdom of low-profile switches.
Choc switches are available in v1 and v2 and are not interchangeable.
The electrode legs of the keyswitches share the same position, but the thickness of the central leg is different, so they are not mutually compatible even on the board.
Reference: Beekeeb
Keyboards using Choc v1 keyswitches were often made with a shorter pitch than the normal key pitch (19.05 mm), and the keycaps themselves were distributed one size smaller.
However, unlike the Choc v1 keyswitch, the Choc v2 keyswitch used an MX-compatible “cross stem,” so most keycap standards were designed to be “approximately 18 mm square” to conform to the MX “19.05 mm” pitch.
For keyboards built to Choc v1 standards, Choc v2 can be supported by simply extending the center footprint of the key switch footprint to 5 mm dia.
According to beekeeb’s content, normal pitch is ” 19.05 x 19.05 mm (or 19.00 mm)” and so-called “narrow pitch” using Choc is ” around 18 x 17 mm”.
However, the lack of MX-compatible keycaps for narrow pitch forced us to give up on their implementation.
Dual problem with size of existing low-profile keycaps
As mentioned above, low-pro key caps for narrow pitch have not existed until now.
When looking for narrow pitch key caps for Choc v2, popular keycaps with a narrow pitch premise, such as MBK and Chosfox, are designed for the Choc v1 stem only and will not physically stick on the “+” stem of Choc v2.
Also, most MX stem-compatible low-pro caps such as XVX / SMOLO are “standard pitch premise size”, so when placed on the narrow pitch of Choc v2, the keys will interfere with each other.
In other words, “two problems existed simultaneously: stem compatibility andlateral physical interference.
Tai-Hao MT165 / THCS coming to the rescue
This is exactly where the long-awaited “MX Compatible Low-Pro Key Cap for Narrow Pitch” comes in.
Tai-Hao’s two releases, MT 165 and THCS, are truly a 100% solution to this problem.
Will “Narrow Pitch”, which is popular in the Japanese home-built keyboard community, go global?
This content is actually a very hot topic in Japan.
Recently, so-called “narrow pitches” such as moNa2 have become popular, and these specifications “stick” to the characteristics of Japanese people with small hands, women, etc.
KawamuraIn event coverage, there were many comments such as the smaller size is prettier, and in fact, some women said that the smaller size is easier to hit.
As far as I know, beekeeb has been making keyboards with Choc v1 keyswitches for some time, or in their words, “Choc spacing”.
Whether by chance or necessity, and whether we know this fact or not, we can say that Tai-Hao has created keycaps that “just fit” this, and the standard for “narrow-pitch keyboard” design has been practically established.
KawamuraIf we follow market principles, I feel that beekeeb’s Choc spacing would be a better way to make compatible keyboards in the future.
I hope that keyboard designers will use the design guide they have published as a reference and promote “narrow pitch” from Japan.
- First written on: 11/23/2025
- Last update: 2025/11/23
- Method of coverage: Official manufacturer’s blog content
- Reference and quotation from: beekeeb Image source: beekeeb/moNa2
- Conflicts of Interest: Product Offering: None Monetization Link in this paper: None
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