# Alps SKCM / SKCL switch: plate cutout and PCB footprint

> What size is the Alps switch plate cutout and where are its PCB holes?

- Category: Computers & desk › Keyboard switches & stabilizers
- Kind: Standard part
- Basis: Alps SKCL/SKCM datasheet (mounting-panel hole drawing, panel t1.2, PCB mounting holes); key pitch and pin split from the KiCad SW_Matias_1.00u footprint
- Page: https://xemstudio.com/objects/alps-skcm-skcl-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint/ · JSON: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=alps-skcm-skcl-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint · Plain text: https://xemstudio.com/objects/alps-skcm-skcl-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint/sheet.txt
- License: dimension sheet CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio); files CC BY 4.0 or their publisher's license
- Use in every chat: add https://xemstudio.com/mcp as a connector (https://xemstudio.com/use-with-ai/)

## Overall (mm)

| length | width |
|---|---|
| 19.05 | 19.05 |

**Exact dimensions.** True size, with no printing tolerance added.

## Notes

- Alps SKCM / SKCL ('complicated' and 'simplified' Alps) switches and their clones (Matias, many vintage boards) clip into a 15.5 × 12.8 mm rectangular plate hole in a 1.2 mm plate, wider than tall, and have two Ø1.5 pins.
- Holes are seen from the switch mounting side, origin on the key centre, x to the right, y up: the pins are 5 mm apart, pin 1 at 4.5 mm and pin 2 at 4.0 mm above the key centre. Alps dimensions the 5 mm spacing; the ±2.5 split about the key centre is confirmed by the KiCad Matias/Alps footprint.
- The plate tile is the 19.05 mm key footprint; the cutout is at true size with square corners as Alps draws it.

## Sizes

| parameter | value |
|---|---|
| plate (panel) cutout | 15.5 × 12.8 mm (15.5 across, 12.8 up) |
| plate thickness | t1.2 mm |
| pin 1 (x, y) | Ø1.5 at (+2.5, +4.5) mm |
| pin 2 (x, y) | Ø1.5 at (-2.5, +4.0) mm |
| key pitch (1u) | 19.05 mm |

## Where the files are

- Alps Alpine: [SKCL/SKCM series push switch datasheet: mounting-panel hole drawing, panel t1.2, PCB mounting holes](https://github.com/keyboardio/keyswitch_documentation/blob/master/datasheets/ALPS/SKCL.pdf) — web — Maker datasheet (linked, not rehosted)
- KiCad: [kicad-footprints: Button_Switch_Keyboard.pretty (SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB fixing pegs; SW_Matias_1.00u Alps-type pin positions)](https://github.com/KiCad/kicad-footprints/tree/master/Button_Switch_Keyboard.pretty) — web — CC BY-SA 4.0 with KiCad exception (footprints)

## Free STEP/STL (2 parts, CC BY 4.0, Xem Studio)

Index: https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/alps-skcm-skcl-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint/index.json

- alps-plate-1u: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/alps-skcm-skcl-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint/alps-plate-1u.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/alps-skcm-skcl-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint/alps-plate-1u.stl) — 1u plate square 19.05 × 19.05 × 1.2 mm with the 15.5 × 12.8 mm Alps switch cutout, true size
- alps-pcb-footprint: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/alps-skcm-skcl-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint/alps-pcb-footprint.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/alps-skcm-skcl-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint/alps-pcb-footprint.stl) — Alps SKCM/SKCL PCB holes as a 1.6 mm drill jig: 2 × Ø1.5, 5 mm apart, 4.5 and 4.0 mm above the key centre, true size

## Questions

**What size hole does an Alps switch need?**

15.5 × 12.8 mm in a 1.2 mm plate (Alps SKCL/SKCM datasheet).

**Where are the Alps switch pins?**

Two Ø1.5 holes 5 mm apart: (+2.5, +4.5) and (−2.5, +4.0) mm from the key centre, seen from the mounting side.

## Fits with

- [Cherry MX switch: plate cutout and PCB footprint](https://xemstudio.com/objects/cherry-mx-switch-plate-cutout-and-pcb-footprint/)
- [Kailh Choc v1 and v2 (PG1350 / PG1353): PCB footprint](https://xemstudio.com/objects/kailh-choc-v1-v2-pcb-footprint/)