RGB Keyboard Lighting: North-Facing vs South-Facing LEDs

RGB lighting is one of the most popular features in modern mechanical keyboards. It’s not just about looks, the way the LEDs are positioned under your switches can completely change how the light interacts with your keycaps. The two main orientations are north-facing and south-facing LEDs, and understanding the difference is essential if you’re chasing the perfect glow for your setup.

What Does “North-Facing” vs “South-Facing” Mean?

When we talk about LED orientation in keyboards, we’re describing which direction the LED sits under the switch.

• North-facing LEDs
  The LED is placed at the top side of the switch (closest to the user). This means the light shines upwards through the top of the keycap.

• South-facing LEDs
  The LED is placed at the bottom side of the switch (closest to the function row). The light shines more evenly across the underside of the keycap.

Think of it like the LED “facing north” or “facing south” relative to you when you’re typing.

The Impact on Keycaps

Shine-Through Keycaps

If your keycaps have transparent legends (shine-through), north-facing LEDs will usually light them up more directly. The legends look brighter, especially at the top of the keycap where the cutout usually sits.

Pudding Keycaps

With pudding keycaps (translucent sides), both orientations work, but south-facing LEDs often produce a more even underglow effect since the light spreads across the sides instead of being concentrated on the legends.

Artisan or Thick Keycaps

Enthusiasts using premium keycaps (like GMK or thick PBT) often prefer south-facing LEDs because north-facing setups can cause interference with certain keycap profiles, making them sit at an awkward angle or feel off.

The Typing Feel Factor

LED orientation doesn’t just affect lighting — it can also change the typing experience:

• North-facing switches may cause slight keycap interference on sculpted profiles (like Cherry profile). This can lead to “switch scratchiness” or keys not sitting comfortably.
• South-facing switches avoid this issue, giving smoother keycap compatibility. That’s why many enthusiast boards choose south-facing, even if it means legends don’t glow as brightly.

Which Should You Choose?

It depends on your priorities:

• Choose North-Facing LEDs if…
• You want maximum brightness on shine-through legends.
• You use OEM profile keycaps (which don’t usually interfere).

• You’re into gaming keyboards with dramatic RGB effects.

• Choose South-Facing LEDs if…

• You prefer premium keycap sets (Cherry, GMK, thick PBT).
• You care about even underglow with pudding caps.
• Typing feel and keycap compatibility matter more than raw brightness.

A Note on RGB Effects

North-facing LEDs can make effects like wave, ripple, or reactive typing look more dramatic from the top-down perspective.
South-facing LEDs tend to create a softer, more diffused glow — especially if you view your keyboard at an angle on your desk.

Final Thoughts

The difference between north-facing and south-facing RGB lighting might seem subtle, but for keyboard enthusiasts it’s a big deal. North-facing setups make legends pop, while south-facing ones offer better keycap compatibility and smoother lighting effects.

If you’re new to mechanical keyboards, start with what looks good to you. But if you’re planning to upgrade into custom keycap sets or artisan boards, south-facing LEDs may give you a smoother ride.

Next up, we’ll be breaking down the best keyboards with north-facing RGB and the best keyboards with south-facing RGB so you can find the perfect fit for your setup.