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Keychron Q12 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

SKU: Q12-N1
$204.00

Type
Color
Switches

The fully assembled version includes:

  • The keyboard PCB, the case, and the steel plate.
  • Double-shot OSA PBT keycaps (including Mac & Windows keycaps).
  • Gateron G Pro switches.

The barebone version does not include the keycaps and switches.
No discount codes can be used for Q12.

Please drop your email on "Notify Me When Available" if the product model is out of stock.

Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Keychron Q12

Setting the best example for efficient space usage, the Q12 has a compact 96% layout design with a left-positioned Numpad while retaining all the essential function keys. With its full metal CNC machined body, double-gasket design, QMK/VIA support, and exceptional southpaw design, the Q12 is ideal for fulfilling your space-saving and typing needs!

Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard
Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Left-handed (Southpaw) design

Not just for left-handed people, you will also enjoy this design if you are right-handed too because it leaves more room for your mouse and it will be more convenient when using the mouse and numpad at the same time!

Southpaw design of Keychron Q12
Features of Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard
Customize Your Q12

Choose the keycaps, switches, and more accessories for your Q12

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A Refined Piece of Metal Art

The entire metal body is crafted with 6063 aluminum that is processed through CNC machined, polished, anodized, sandblasted, and undergoes 24 more manufacturing stages to make this solid metal piece of art that is the Q12. 

Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

All-around customizable keyboard

To build a fully customizable keyboard, we designed every component easily assembled. Therefore, you can customize and adjust each component you want.

Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Double Gasket Design

The Double Gasket Design is a new innovative structure in the industry. In addition to the gaskets on the plates, we added silicone pads between the top and bottom cases to significantly reduce the acoustic resonance between the metals and reduce the noise of the impacted metals. This design allows the keyboard to maintain the flexibility of the gasket structure and improves the overall typing sound. 

Double Gasket Design of Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard
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Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

An Epic Core Inside The Keyboard

A powerful ultra-low-power ARM architecture MCU equipped with 128K Flash will provide more flexibility for developers. The polling rate is 1000 Hz right out of the box, which makes the latency hardly noticeable even in competitive games.

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OSA Profile Double-shot PBT Keycaps

These double-shot PBT keycaps have a similar height to the OEM profile and has an SA-like shape. We named it the OSA (OEM spherical angled) keycap. The PBT keycaps will provide excellent oil resistance, enhance the type feel, and prevent the legends from fading out.

OSA Profile Double-shot PBT Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard
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Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Switch layouts between macOS & Windows

Built with the Mac users’ experience in mind while still retaining compatibility for Windows devices, the Keychron Q12 comes with a system toggle and an additional set of customized keycaps for both Windows and macOS systems. You can now save two different layouts on the keyboard, one for each system.

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Programmable Knob

Designed to enhance your creative workflow, the aluminum rotary encoder allows you to easily customize your favorite keys and macros on the knob through the VIA software.

Rotary encoder function of Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

You can easily customize the Q12's knob to your desired key or macro commands such as: zooming in/out, adjusting screen brightness, brush size, volume, selecting video clips or photos, or backlight hue.

Setting the macros for "zoom in/out"

Using the knob as "zoom in/out"

Program Q12 with QMK & VIA

With full QMK and VIA support, you can easily program and remap each key on the keyboard. The open-source firmware means endless possibilities for keyboard layouts, shortcuts, backlight effects, even the knob, and more. 

QMK VIA screen capture of Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Hot-swappable

The hot-swappable sockets are mounted on the PCB, so you can install or change the switches without soldering. The PCB supports both 3 pin and 5 pin MX mechanical switches.

South-facing RGB LED Lights

The south-facing RGB LED is designed to better illuminate the keyboard backlight from the typist’s angle with the premium non-shine-through PBT keycaps installed. The south-facing RGB is also free from interference when the users install OEM or Cherry-profile alternative keycaps on the keyboard.

Barebone US layout of Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Pre-lubed Gateron G Pro Switch

By optimizing the switch mold, the Gateron G Pro switch wobbles less than a standard mechanical switch and feels smoother on each hit. Plus, the factory pre-lubed process on all the G Pro switches (excluding the clicky ones), no doubt this will ensure the best smoothness at your fingertips when typing.

Gateron G Pro Switch Features
All New Screw In PCB Stabilizers

All New Screw-in PCB Stabilizers

The screw-in design increases stability and makes it easier for changes and upgrades. Precise craftsmanship makes the stabilizers more stable and less shaky. The big keys’ (space bar, shift, enter, delete) typing experience is now more stable and smooth. The Keychron Q12 also supports third-party screw-in PCB stabilizers.

ANSI & ISO Layouts

ISO layout is widely used in Europe while the ANSI layout is widely used by the rest of the world. Note: If you live in Europe, we recommend you purchase the "Barebone ISO” version with the corresponding ISO keycaps. The "Barebone ISO” is suitable for all ISO keyboard countries like the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, etc.

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What's in the box?

Package List of Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard Fully Assembled Knob Version
Package List of Keychron Q12 Compact 96% Layout Custom Mechanical Keyboard Barebone Knob Version

Specs

Width145 mm
Length409.4 mm
Front Height20.2 mm  (without keycaps)
Back Height30.9 mm (without keycaps)
Feet Height2.4 mm
Angle5.3°
Weight2491 ± 10 g (Fully Assembled Version)
Body MaterialFull CNC machined aluminum
Plate MaterialSteel
Polling Rate1000 Hz
Keycaps (Fully Assembled Version)Double-shot PBT keycaps, not shine-through, OSA Profile (OEM height, SA shape)
MCUUltra-low-power ARM Cortex-M4 32-bit STM32L432 (128KB Flash)
SwitchesGateron G Pro (Fully Assembled Version)
BacklightSouth-facing RGB LED
Switch SupportHot-swappable (5 pin & 3 pin)
StabsScrew-in PCB stabs
ConnectivityType-C wired
CableType-C cable + Type-A to Type-C adapter
Operating Environment-10℃ to 50℃
Keychron Q12 User Guide

Learn more about the Keychron Q12 such as the Q12 shortcuts, assembling the Q12, factory reset, and more in the FAQ section.

All Keyboards
All Keyboards

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
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J
J.S.
Expectations Exceeded

I purchased the barebones to buy customized switches and keycaps. I was very impressed by the board design. For my first keyboard I would highly recommend this board. Very easy to put switches in and was packaged nicely. Combined with the Cherry MX2A's Silent RGB Red switches, it sounds so much better than my previous.

C
C.
Takes a little adjustment, but worth it

This keyboard has the same quality as their other Q series keyboards. With the number pad on the left side, it allows for more better ergonomics of the the mouse position, and has better positioning to use both hands when using the numpad and the mouse at the same time. It takes a little getting used to having the numpad on the left side but it really is the better place for it. I've had this for months now and I won't be going back to my Q5 or V5. Hoping for a Q12 Pro to add to my collection!

B
Brice
Great keyboard, but only 106b of macro memory

Great keyboard! Took a bit of getting used to the new layout, since I was using the K8. But once I got used to it, I can really move quickly.
I love having the numpad on the left side, being a lefty. Having F13-F15 is really handy for Zoom macros.
My only complaint: There is only 106 bytes of macro memory! I was only able to configure 3 macros before filling it up. Which is a shame, since you can customize every key with the function button pressed. With more memory, I could have done a lot more.
tldr: Great keyboard! But be aware of the memory limit for macros.

H
Haiming Zhou
The perfect Layout, but one little flaw!

I really want my numpad to be on the left, so the inter-position between my mouse, keyboard, and Numpad are more ergonomic and balanced. However, if the product has a wireless option, I will for sure buy this version!

T
TIM HUANG
I was actually blown away!

I was really surprised at how well-built the keyboard is. The keyboard in its stock comes with just about all the mods you would typically apply to a keyboard. Common mods such as tape mods, foam mods, and pre-lubed stabs. Pairing those with the pre-lubed Gateron G Pro Switch makes the keyboard types and sound amazing. I expected that I was going to do some modding to the keyboard, but I just end up switching the keycaps and some switches instead. Overall, I am very happy about the purchase.

Keychron Q12 QMK VIA southpaw custom mechanical keyboard 96 percent full aluminum frame for Mac Window Linux fully assembled knob black Gateron G pro switch red
Q series

Keychron Q12 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

From $184.00

The fully assembled version includes:

  • The keyboard PCB, the case, and the steel plate.
  • Double-shot OSA PBT keycaps (including Mac & Windows keycaps).
  • Gateron G Pro switches.

The barebone version does not include the keycaps and switches.
No discount codes can be used for Q12.

Please drop your email on "Notify Me When Available" if the product model is out of stock.

Type

  • Fully Assembled Knob
  • Barebone Knob
  • Barebone ISO Knob

Color

  • Carbon Black - A
  • Silver Grey - A
  • Navy Blue - A
  • Carbon Black - B
  • Silver Grey - B
  • Navy Blue - B
  • Carbon Black
  • Silver Grey
  • Navy Blue

Switches

  • Gateron G Pro Red
  • Gateron G Pro Brown
  • Barebone
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