# Adafruit NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/103/399/medium800/adafruit_products_NKOSA_back.jpg?1626293985) For folks who want ready-to-go keeb action, we've got the lovely [Adafruit Macropad with a 3x4 grid of MX+NeoPixel key switches](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5100) - but for those who like to forge their own path, we now present the easiest way of creating custom ortholinear (that's a fancy word for gridded) key matrices. Instead of hand soldering together a custom matrix of NeoKey socket breakouts, the **Adafruit**   **NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart Mechanical Key Switches with NeoPixel** has 30 key switches that can be snapped apart to make any size grid. That's right! Even though it comes as 5x6, you can turn it into 2x3, 1x6, 4x3...whatever you wish, and it will work just the way you expect. The little break-apart tabs have traces running through them that pass the power, NeoPixel, and keymatrix lines up and down. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/103/400/medium800/adafruit_products_NKOSA_top.jpg?1626293996) Each 'sub-key' is the same - with a column and row line that is diode protected. For whatever grid size you eventually choose, connect a digital IO pin from your microcontroller to each of the outer rows and columns. With the diode, you don't have to worry about key ghosting. If you want to add glowy goodness, that's even easier. Each key also has a single reverse-mount NeoPixel pointing up through the spot where many switches would have an LED to shine through. Connect 3 to 5V power to any of the + and - pins on the grid, and connect a single digital IO line to the beginning of the 'NeoPixel snake' that winds its way through the matrix. A weak 2.2K pass-through resistor will shunt data through at the end of each row, so you don't have to do any jumpering unless the matrix is not-rectangular. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/103/401/medium800/adafruit_products_NKOSA_top_angle.jpg?1626294006) Every breakout has a Kailh socket, which means you can plug in any MX-compatible switch instead of soldering it in. You may need a little glue to keep the switch in place: hot glue or a dot of epoxy worked fine for us. The sub-keys are spaced 0.75" apart for compact keebing. There's large 0.125" mounting holes at the corners of each key for easy mounting to a backplane. **Please note,**   **each order comes with one sheet of assembled PCBs that can be broken apart - we include top and bottom railing bits to help keep it nice and flat during shipment.** Once the grid is broken, you _could_ jumper the breakout pads together to re-connect but it won't be very fun. Mechanical switches and keycaps are not included! Use any MX-compatible switch: Kailh, Gateron, etc all work! **Note: The Kailh Low Profile switches will not work! They have a different footprint.** - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neokey-5x6-ortho-snap-apart/pinouts.md) ## Primary Products ### NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart Mechanical Key Switches w/ NeoPixel [NeoKey 5x6 Ortho Snap-Apart Mechanical Key Switches w/ NeoPixel](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5157) For folks who want ready-to-go keeb action, we've got the lovely [Adafruit Macropad with a 3x4 grid of MX+NeoPixel key switches](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5100) - but for those who like to forge their own path, we now present the easiest way of creating custom ortholinear... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5157) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5157/guides) ## Featured Products ### Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - 10 packs - Cherry MX Compatible [Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - 10 packs - Cherry MX Compatible](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4996) For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these ** Kailh mechanical key switches**  are deeee-luxe! Come in a pack of 10 switches, plenty to make a small keyboard, or grab a few packs to build a full keyboard. - Use these with our  Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4996) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4996/guides) ## Related Guides - [Split Ortho Keyboard with TCA8418 Matrix Expanders](https://learn.adafruit.com/split-ortho-keyboard.md) - [4x12 Ortho Mechanical Keyboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/4x12-ortho-mechanical-keyboard.md) - [CNC Rotary Macropad](https://learn.adafruit.com/cnc-rotary-macropad.md) - [DIY Decorative Resin Keycaps](https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-decorative-resin-keycaps.md) - [Numpad 4000 Mechanical Keyswitch Data Entry Device](https://learn.adafruit.com/numpad-4000-mechanical-keyswitch-data-entry-device.md) - [Deluxe 4x4 NeoPixel Keypad](https://learn.adafruit.com/deluxe-4x4-neopixel-neokey-keypad.md) - [Adafruit STEMMA Audio Amp](https://learn.adafruit.com/stemma-audio-amp.md) - [Adafruit VCNL4020 Proximity and Light Sensor](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-vcnl4020-proximity-and-light-sensor.md) - [Adafruit RFM69HCW and RFM9X LoRa Packet Radio Breakouts](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-rfm69hcw-and-rfm96-rfm95-rfm98-lora-packet-padio-breakouts.md) - [Adafruit SHT31-D Temperature & Humidity Sensor Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-sht31-d-temperature-and-humidity-sensor-breakout.md) - [Cup o' Sound](https://learn.adafruit.com/cup-o-sound.md) - [Haunted Portrait](https://learn.adafruit.com/haunted-portrait.md) - [Adafruit Qualia High Res Displayport Desktop Monitor](https://learn.adafruit.com/qualia-high-res-displayport-desktop-monitor.md) - [USB C Dock](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-c-dock.md) - [Adafruit Wiz5500 Ethernet Co-Processor Breakout Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-wiz5500-ethernet-co-processor-breakout-board.md)