How to Make a Mechanical Keyboard Quieter or “Thocky”?
(O-Rings, Switches & Acoustic Mods)
Mechanical keyboards offer unbeatable tactile satisfaction, but they can be loud in open offices, late-night gaming sessions, or on Zoom/Discord calls. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice mechanical precision for silence. With a few simple tweaks, you can dampen harsh clicks and unlock that deep, premium “Thocky” sound profile!
What Do Rubber O-Rings (Sound Dampeners) Do?
When typing, the loudest noise isn’t the switch actuation itself, but “bottoming out”: the impact of the rigid plastic keycap colliding with the switch housing at high speed.
Silicone O-Rings (0.2mm – 0.4mm)
By sliding a tiny elastic rubber ring onto the stem socket underneath each keycap, the ring cushions the bottom-out stroke.
- ✅ 30% to 50% Quieter: Absorbs the harsh plastic-on-plastic clack
- ✅ Preserves Tactile Feedback: Typing feel remains crisp and responsive
- ✅ Faster Actuation: Slightly reduced key travel for gaming
- ✅ Installed in 10 minutes: No soldering or disassembly required
How to Install O-Rings
Installation is effortless:
- 1. Remove your keycap using a wire puller
- 2. Slip 1 silicone ring onto the center stem on the underside of the keycap
- 3. Press the keycap back onto the switch $\rightarrow$ Done!
The Switch Difference: Linear vs. Tactile vs. Clicky
Your baseline sound volume depends fundamentally on your keyboard’s switch type:
Clicky Switches (Blue / Green)
Feature an internal click jacket. Very loud. Even with O-rings, the click remains audible. Not recommended for office or shared environments.
Tactile Switches (Brown / Panda)
Feature a tactile bump without the loud acoustic click. Great balance for typing precision and moderate acoustic volume.
Linear Switches (Red / Yellow / Black)
Smooth downward stroke without bumps or clicks. The quietest switch category and the top choice for offices, streaming, and late-night gaming.
Outemu Switches
Popular hot-swappable switches for custom keyboard builds. Easily swapped without soldering.
How to Achieve That Deep “Thocky” Sound
In the custom keyboard community, a deep, bassy resonance (“Thock”) is the holy grail. Here is how to achieve it:
1. Use Thick PBT Keycaps
PBT keycaps with 1.4 mm – 1.5 mm walls dampen hollow high-frequency echoes, creating a deeper, more solid acoustic tone.
2. Handmade Resin Artisans
Solid resin artisan keycaps eliminate internal air cavities. Keypresses on your Escape or Spacebar yield a dense, non-resonant thud.
3. Install Silicone O-Rings
Absorbs the high-pitched bottom-out strike, letting only the low-end switch acoustic sound through.
4. Add a Deskmat
A padded deskmat prevents your wooden desk surface from acting as a hollow sound amplifier.
Apply 2-3 layers of painters tape to the back of your PCB (Tempest Tape Mod) to filter high-pitch ping and boost deep acoustic resonance. If an artisan keycap stem feels too snug, heat the bottom cross-stem for 5 seconds with a hairdryer on medium heat to achieve a silky-smooth custom seat!
For interior keyboard modifications, always use non-conductive blue or beige painters tape (never duct tape or metallic tape), and disconnect the battery on wireless models before disassembling.
Upgrade worn switches or customize your actuation feel with hot-swappable MX switches.
Upgrade to a quiet & Thocky keyboard
Rubber O-Ring Sound Dampers (120 Pcs)
Universal silicone dampers for all MX-style switches. Makes your entire keyboard 30-50% quieter.
OUTEMU Switches & Modding Tools
Swap out loud clicky switches for smooth linears or tactiles for optimal acoustics.
The Ultimate Office & Streaming Formula
Looking to keep coworkers and Discord listeners happy? Choose Linear (Red) switches, equip them with Rubber O-rings, and pair with a thick PBT keycap set. Enjoy premium typing satisfaction with zero microphone pickup!