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“Gateron Yellow” is not one switch, and the naming is genuinely confusing because Gateron uses internal model codes that retailers print inconsistently. The good news is that the family is simpler than it looks once you know the trick: the Pro versions are mechanically the same switch, and almost every difference you can hear comes from the housing plastic.
⚡ Quick answer: Buy a Pro. Both are factory lubed at 50gf. Choose Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) for a deeper, quieter sound, or Yellow Pro (KS-9) for tighter stems and much better RGB. Same stem, same spring, same force curve. You are choosing a sound, not a switch.
⚠️ Correction: an earlier version of this guide listed “KS-3 Yellow” as a separate clear-housing original. That was wrong. KS-3 is the model code for the Milky Yellow Pro itself, and KS-9 is the Yellow Pro. The table below has been corrected against Gateron’s own documentation.
The model codes, decoded
| Name | Code | Top housing | Bottom housing | Lubed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Pro | KS-9 | Transparent PC | White nylon | Yes |
| Milky Yellow Pro | KS-3 | Translucent milky nylon | Milky nylon | Yes |
| CAP V2 Milky Yellow | CAP V2 | Nylon | Nylon | Yes |
| Older non-Pro Yellows | varies | varies | varies | No |
Both Pro variants use an identical POM stem, an identical steel spring, a 50gf operating force, and what Gateron describes as almost the same force curve. Mechanically they are the same switch in two different shells.
Why the housing is the whole story
The stem and spring decide how a switch feels. The housing decides how it sounds, and the reason is material hardness.
Polycarbonate (KS-9 top)
Harder and more rigid, so it rings rather than absorbs. Produces a higher-pitched, fuller sound with more presence in the upper frequencies. It is also optically clear, which is why the Yellow Pro is the better choice for RGB.
Nylon (KS-3, both halves)
Softer and denser, so it damps high frequencies instead of reflecting them. Gateron describe the effect as “silencing”. The result is the deeper, quieter, more muted sound people call thocky.
This is the single most useful thing to understand about switch sound generally. When a review says a switch is “clacky” or “thocky”, it is usually describing housing material rather than anything about the stem. The same principle explains why a UHMWPE switch like the C3 Tangerine sounds so muted.
The trade-off nobody mentions
The Milky Yellow Pro is usually the default recommendation because people like the deeper sound. But Gateron are candid that it has relatively loose stem tolerance, while the Yellow Pro benefits from an upgraded mould with reduced stem wobble.
Wobble matters more than it sounds. Play at the switch stem is multiplied at the top of the keycap, and on tall profiles like SA or MT3 a loose stem is genuinely noticeable. On a low profile like Cherry or DSA, most people never register it.
💡 The practical rule: tall keycaps or RGB, take the Yellow Pro (KS-9). Low profile keycaps and you want the deepest sound, take the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3). If neither applies, the milky is the more popular choice for a reason.
Weight, and what the numbers mean
Both Pros actuate at 50gf. The Milky Yellow Pro bottoms out around 62g, and the CAP V2 Milky Yellow is slightly heavier at roughly 65g.
Worth noting when comparing against other switches: 50gf here is the actuation figure, so it is directly comparable to a Cherry MX Red’s 45g. Many enthusiast switches are marketed by bottom-out force instead, which makes them look far heavier than they are in use. A “67g” switch and a “50g” Gateron Yellow are closer than the labels suggest.
Do they need lubing?
No. Both Pro variants are pre-lubed at the factory, and Gateron applies the same lubing process to the KS-3 as the KS-9. Hand-lubing yields a marginal improvement at best, and given a full board is 60 to 100 switches, the effort is hard to justify.
Older non-Pro Yellows are a different matter. Those ship dry and improve substantially with lube. If you bought loose switches cheaply and they feel scratchy, you almost certainly have non-Pro stock. Our lubing guide covers the method.
How they compare to the alternatives
| Switch | Actuation | Lubed | Against a Gateron Yellow Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateron Yellow Pro | 50gf | Yes | The value benchmark |
| Cherry MX Red | 45g | No | Lighter, scratchier, more expensive |
| Akko V3 Cream Yellow Pro | ~50g | Yes | Very close rival, slightly heavier factory lube |
| C3 Tangerine V2 | 55gf | Yes | Softer and more muted, considerably pricier |
The direct comparison people run most often gets its own page: Gateron Yellow vs Cherry MX Red. For the full field, see our best linear switches roundup and the factory-lubed guide.
Who they suit
A great fit if
You want the most switch per pound, you are filling a whole board, or you want something smooth with no work. Also the safest first switch: cheap enough that a mistake costs little.
Look elsewhere if
You want a very light switch for competitive gaming, you need silence, or you want tactile feedback. These are mid-weight linears and nothing else.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between KS-3 and KS-9?
They are model codes. KS-3 is the Milky Yellow Pro, KS-9 is the Yellow Pro. Both use a POM stem, a 50gf operating force and factory lube. The difference is housing: KS-9 has a transparent PC top over white nylon, KS-3 is milky nylon throughout, which makes it quieter and deeper.
Milky Yellow or regular Yellow Pro?
Milky for a deeper, quieter sound. Regular Yellow Pro for tighter stem tolerance and much better RGB transmission through the clear PC top. They feel nearly identical, so this is a sound and lighting decision rather than a feel upgrade.
Are Gateron Yellows good for beginners?
They are close to the ideal first switch. Cheap enough that a mistake costs little, factory lubed so you are not fighting scratchiness, and mid-weight so they suit both typing and gaming while you work out what you prefer.
How heavy are they?
50gf actuation, bottoming out around 62g on the Milky Pro. Slightly heavier than a Cherry MX Red at 45g and much lighter than enthusiast linears like the Tangerine. Comfortably mid-range.
Are Gateron Yellows quiet?
Quieter than clicky or tactile switches, but not silent. The milky nylon housing reads as less intrusive than a PC one even at similar volume, because it damps the higher frequencies. For genuine quiet you want a dampened switch, covered in our silent switches guide.
Housing materials, force figures and lubing details per Gateron’s own KS-9 versus KS-3 comparison.