GH60 programmable keyboard

GH60 is a custom programmable mechanical keyboard designed for the geekhack community.

A github repository with all the design files is here: komar007/gh60.

GH60 rev B

Geekhack threads



  • Revision A PCB gerbers, renders and schematic: gh60_reva (license: CC BY-SA 3.0).
  • Revision B PCB production files (gerbers, component placement, BOM): pcbcart_gh60_rev_b_v2 (license: CC BY-SA 3.0)
  • Revision C PCB and assembly files(package includes board renders and 3d model): gh60_revC_plain (license: CC-BY-SA 3.0)
  • Revision C schematic: gh60_revC_2016-06-02.


rev A

GH60 with Cherry MX Red2 GH60s with upcoming GHPadGH60 controllerGH60 USB connector

rev B



The pictures present only examples of what can be built using GH60. GH60 itself is just electronics, the choice of keycaps, switches and case is up to you!


71 thoughts on “GH60 programmable keyboard”



  2. Hi Michał,

    First of all mad props to you for designing GH60 and writing all the related blog posts!  Being the main developer of the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard I have an idea how challenging it could be.

    It occured to me that you used 0805 diodes.  I currently use SOD-123 packaged 1N4148 diodes because Digi-Key doesn't seem to supply such diodes in a 0805 or maybe a 1206 package.

    Could you give me a pointer of where to get such diodes?

    Thanks in advance!


    1. Hi,
      thanks for the comment.
      In GH60, we're currently using Crownpo CD4148WS for D01-D70. The manufacturer sources these for us, so I don't really know where to buy them, but I think they should be easily available in China.

      Good luck on your keyboard project. I've subscribed and I'll be waiting.

  3. Thanks for the quick reply! Yeah, I could see the diode part number in the BOM but couldn't find it at the popular catalog distributors. I guess we'll rather stick with the existing diode because this way one can easily get the exact same part for repair purposes.

    Glad you're interested in our keyboard. You'll be notified!

  4. Where'd you get the keys used in the last image (the one with the orange spacebar)? I love the font and colours used

  5. When the final production files are released (soon), you can send the gerbers to a PCB company (for example OSH Park), buy the parts in the BOM file and you're good to go.

    1. Hi!

      First of all, thank you for all your job.
      To be honest, I am a bit confused about the "final production files". Are the rev B is the final one? Will there be a rev C for the fixes?
      Thank you for the answer in advance.


  6. Dear Komar,


    Is there any advice ? Please help me.


    Thank you for your time.


  7. Dear Komar,

    I already got all my key on my GH60 working again by using vitual machine with Win 7 32 bits.

    However, now I faced another problem. After click " Programming" button, on cmd said " no backend avaiable " and my GH60 doesn't function as I wish.

    Is there a way to overcome this situation ?
    Thank you for your time.




      1. Hi,
        unfortunately, these diodes are not available at digikey.
        You can substitute them with any 0603 signal diode or try

    1. Hi,

      sorry for the long delay.
      the design is CC BY-SA 3.0, and the firmware code - GPL.
      Just added the info to the OP.

      Best regards,

  8. Hi

    im planing on building a gh60+ghpad on the same case,  wich module should we use for the leds.

    any plans for the revc files release.??

    Thank you

    1. Hi,

      so far you have to use a 3rd party module if you need backlight, in the future there might be an expansion module for gh60 which will offer independent per-LED backlight, but that will cover only the gh60 board. Backlighting ghpad will require a separate solution.

      According to our settlements with geekhack, the rev. C files will be released when the group buy ends, and it has been delayed.

      Best regards,

  9. Yea, I have the same question as sean, where did you get the PCB made? what company? I haven't seen white anywhere, but have wanted to do white for a while! and the matte black on the top is a good look.

  10. Hi,

    I used PCBCart and liked it.

    The white soldermask is indeed rather sleek. Matte black seemed pretty cool at first but after a while I don't like it any more. It's very easily scratched, it catches all the fingerprints and lots of dirt which is then hard to clean because of the slightly rough surface.

  11. awesome! Thanks for a quick reply! I am looking at there site right now, I think I'm going to go with these guys, 5 prototype boards and comes with a free stencil for $100, i'm sold! did you go with the HASL or the Immersion gold as the finish on the white one?

  12. The white board was ENIG, I think. I don't remember now, but that seems the most likely. It does look gold, but the layer is very thin. Still very easy to solder.

    The stencil is a new service, I think. I'm curious how good it is.
    I think they make a reasonable size for like $15, pretty nice.

  13. Hi,

    Great work! What software are you using for CAD? The .wrl files are importing well into SolidWorks for me. May I suggest using STEP file? It's more common for 3D modeling.

    Thank you!

  14. Hi,

    I exported the wrl files directly from KiCad. It's good to know they work.
    If you can convert to step and share, I'll gladly post it here.


    1. What is the difference between version B and C version? C version currently have any serious bugs, stable version?

  15. Version C has a few improvements, changed logo and 1 bug fixed.

    There are no known bugs in version C right now.

    1. Thank you for your reply, ready to make a pcb on your design version C, I want to add leds to the pcb board，so which size led is better?

    1. StormBard,

      The TxD and RxD pins are used for matrix rows, so they can be used as USART between matrix scans.
      They are broken out on the right side (top view) of the rev. C PCB as R4 and R3, respectively (labels on the underside).


  16. How about a hole for trackpoint, and all the relevant circuitry for supporting Trackpoint in the next release? Maybe even add 4 M2 screw holes for mounting Trackpoint board directly on the PCB.

    1. Priyadi,

      I think it's a great idea, provided that I manage to find a decent trackpoint module/sensor and communicating with it is not too much hassle.
      I'll definitely consider adding trackpoint support in rev. D.


  17. Have there been any progress towards designing the expansion slot to support either bluetooth or full switch backlighting?

    1. Hello Max,

      I have a prototype of a backlight module, but I haven't had the time to get it running.
      As for bluetooth, I guess it's theoretically possible, but I am not planning any support.


  18. Everytime a new keyboard appears on Massdrop I have a look and get a bit dissapointed thinking: "Oh... just another keyboard... they are all the same.".

    Not very fair, because there's alway something different... but, from a certain specific perspective, they are really all the same.

    Which perspective?

    The space bar.

    All keyboards have a big space bar. I cannot stop asking myself why a 60% keyboard or even a reduced %40 keyboards have a big space bar??? Maybe people are not able to find it if it is smaller????

    But, what would be the benefits of a shorter space bar?

    Well, you can have one more key on each side, for example.

    And why on Earth anyone would require more keys on the bottom row?

    Well... Emacs users would love. And people willing to access additional layers would love. And... not by coincidence... I belong to both groups.

    For this reason, I'm considering a HHKB Japanese layout. They do have smaller space bars with additional keys on both sides.

    But still... I bet that something with such layout would be a winner and something definitely distinct from the ocean of lots of keyboards looking all just the same.


    1. I've seen a couple of such keyboards, but never considered them something I'd like to have myself.
      Maybe it's worth to check the options out someday.
      You're right that the extra keys would sometimes be useful, especially on a 60% or 40%.
      Certainly as one of the layout options.
      One thing though, on a keyboard like this there must be some space for the controller and below the long space is the perfect place.
      If that place is taken by tightly crammed switches, integrating the controller gets a lot harder...

      Thanks for your input,

  19. Hey! I love this guide and I'm just getting started (so a noob, obviously)
    My question is that I can't find Atmega32u4-au. Is there any alternate IC that I can substitute it with? I found all the other parts needed.


    This is an awesome PCB btw! Yay!
    Thanks 🙂

  20. Hello dear Komar

    i've build two keyboard, and i found that one of them simultancy reset computer. i changed to other usb-keyboard (genius), so now my computer not reset anymore.

    how to check/test keyboard to find why keyboard reset computer?

  21. so i have some problem with my two keyboards, for week when i plug to computer, windows appear error usb descriptor failed. is anybody know how solve this problem?

  22. Hey！

    I am a student.I love this Pro.

    Can i use Atemga32 pin 8 and pin 42 to rebuild a 84% keyboard ?

    Anything will better for me!


Leave a Reply to z4k Cancel reply


a blog about electronics and programming