# NeoKey Socket Breakout with NeoPixel for MX and CHOC Key Switches

## Overview

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/471/medium800thumb/adafruit_products_CHOC_two_wired_up_pressed.jpg?1685581077 CHOC NeoKey Breakouts in action!)

The only thing better than a nice mechanical key, is one that also can glow any color of the rainbow - and that's what the **Adafruit NeoKey Breakouts** will let you do! They make it super simple to use a mechanical keyswitch with a breadboard or perf board.

The **0.75" x 0.85**" breakout can fit one **Cherry MX or compatible switch**.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/559/medium800/adafruit_products_MX_with_key_angle.jpg?1686014433 MX NeoKey Breakout with MX key.)

The **0.75" x 0.95"** breakout can fit one **Kailh**  **CHOC**   **or compatible switch**.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/560/medium800/adafruit_products_CHOC_with_key_side.jpg?1686014357 CHOC NeoKey breakout with CHOC keyswitch.)

Info: 

This breakout has a **Kailh MX-compatible socket** , which means you can plug in any **MX-compatible switch** instead of soldering it in. 

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/556/medium800/adafruit_products_MX_top.jpg?1686014213 MX NeoKey Breakout, socket-side up.)

Info: 

This breakout has a **Kailh CHOC socket** , which means you can plug in any **CHOC-compatible switch** instead of soldering it in.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/472/medium800/adafruit_products_CHOC_top.jpg?1685581300 CHOC NeoKey breakout, socket-side up.)

Info: 

You may need a little glue to keep the switch in place; hot glue or a dot of epoxy worked fine for us. We also place a 1N4148 signal diode in series with the switch, so you can create key-grid matrices without worrying about ghosted keys.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/473/medium800/adafruit_products_CHOC_back.jpg?1685581399 CHOC NeoKey breakout.)

Each breakout also has a single reverse-mount NeoPixel pointing up through the spot where many switches would have an LED to shine through. The input and output of the pixel are broken out so you can 'chain' these boards together and control them as one NeoPixel strand.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/561/medium800/adafruit_products_MX_top_angle.jpg?1686014544 MX NeoKey Breakout.)

There's plenty of flexibility for any kind of use; each board has the following pin out:

- **VDD (+)** The power pin for the NeoPixel; provide 3 to 5VDC
- **GND (-****)** The ground power pin for the NeoPixel, connect to ground
- **In (I)** and **Out (O)** The input and output to/from the NeoPixel, for chaining
- **Switch Anode (A**) - The 'positive' side of the switch+diode. If you're using the switch with a pull-up resistor, connect this pin to your microcontroller. If you're using a pull-down, connect this pin to your logic level power pin.
- **Switch Cathode (C)** - The 'negative' side of the switch+diode. If you're using the switch with a pull-up resistor, connect this pin to ground. If you're using a pull-down, connect this pin to your microcontroller.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/563/medium800/adafruit_products_CHOC_top_headers.jpg?1686014753 CHOC NeoKey breakout with header strip.)

There're two rows of 5-pin contacts on a 0.1" grid on both sides. Solder in both sides for mechanical stability; the two sides share the same pins except for one side is NeoPixel in and the opposite side has the out pin. For side-by-side wiring, we also have the cathode pin broken out on the sides, and another set of NeoPixel In/Out pins.

**Please note,**  **each order comes with one assembled PCB and a small stick of break-off header.** Soldering is required to attach the header for breadboard use. A mechanical switch and key cap are not included!

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/557/medium800thumb/adafruit_products_MX_in_use.jpg?1686014839 MX NeoKey Breakouts in action!)

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/neokey-breakout/pinouts.md)

## Primary Products

### NeoKey Socket Breakout for Mechanical Key Switches with NeoPixel

[NeoKey Socket Breakout for Mechanical Key Switches with NeoPixel](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4978)
The only thing better than a nice mechanical key, is one that also can glow any color of the rainbow - and that's what the **Adafruit NeoKey Breakout** will let you do! This little 0.75" x 0.85" PCB can fit one **Cherry MX or compatible switch** and make...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4978)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4978/guides)
### NeoKey Socket Breakout for CHOC Key Switches with NeoPixel

[NeoKey Socket Breakout for CHOC Key Switches with NeoPixel](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5756)
The only thing better than a nice mechanical key, is one that also can glow any color of the rainbow - and that's what the **Adafruit NeoKey Breakout** will let you do! This little 0.75" x 0.95" PCB can fit one Kailh  **CHOC**   **or...**

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5756)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5756/guides)

## Featured Products

### Kailh CHOC Low Profile Red Linear Key Switches - 10-pack

[Kailh CHOC Low Profile Red Linear Key Switches - 10-pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5113)
For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these ** Kailh Choc Low Profile Linear Red mechanical key switches**  are super slim, with ultra-low profile compared to MX compatible switches!

Please note these are **NOT MX COMPATIBLE!** They cannot be...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5113)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5113/guides)
### Kailh CHOC Low Profile White Clicky Key Switches

[Kailh CHOC Low Profile White Clicky Key Switches](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5114)
For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these ** Kailh Choc Low Profile Clicky White mechanical key switches**  are super slim, with ultra-low profile compared to MX compatible switches!

Please note these are  **NOT MX...**

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5114)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5114/guides)
### Black Kailh CHOC Slim Key Caps x 10 pack

[Black Kailh CHOC Slim Key Caps x 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5111)
Dress up your svelte CHOC mechanical keys with these elegant Adafruit Black keycaps. These are thin and flat so they're great for [slim Kailh 'Chocolate' key switches](https://www.adafruit.com/?q=choc&sort=BestMatch).

Please note these are  **NOT...**

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5111)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5111/guides)
### Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Linear Red - 10 pack

[Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Linear Red - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4952)
For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these **Kailh Red Linear mechanical key switches** are deeee-luxe! With smooth actuation and Cherry MX compatibility, they're lovely when you want a **smooth linear** keystroke:

- Type Linear
- Operating...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4952)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4952/guides)
### Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Linear Black - 10 pack

[Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Linear Black - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4953)
For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these ** Kailh Black Linear mechanical key switches**  are deeee-luxe! With smooth actuation and Cherry MX compatibility, they're lovely when you want a  **smooth linear ** keystroke with a...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4953)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4953/guides)
### Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Tactile Brown - 10 pack

[Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Tactile Brown - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4954)
For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these ** Kailh Brown Linear mechanical key switches**  are deeee-luxe! With smooth actuation and Cherry MX compatibility, they're lovely when you want a **tactile keystroke** - it's not clicky like the...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4954)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4954/guides)
### Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Clicky White - 10 pack

[Kailh Mechanical Key Switches - Clicky White - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4955)
For crafting your very own custom keyboard, these ** Kailh White Linear mechanical key switches**  are deeee-luxe! With smooth actuation and Cherry MX compatibility, they're lovely when you want a **clicky tactile** keystroke with a snappy feel and an...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4955)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4955/guides)
### Translucent Keycaps for MX Compatible Switches - 10 pack

[Translucent Keycaps for MX Compatible Switches - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4956)
Get ready to clacky to your heart's content. Here is a 10 pack of translucent keycaps for your next mechanical keyboard or [NeoKey](https://www.adafruit.com/?q=neokey&sort=BestMatch) project. Snap 'em onto a  **Cherry MX or compatible...**

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4956)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4956/guides)

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