Designed for compatibility, performance, and effortless customization.
The classic 60%, without the compromise.
NerdBoard 60 keeps the familiar GH60 footprint that drops into thousands of off-the-shelf cases and plates — then adds a dedicated arrow cluster you don't have to reach for a layer to use.
Every switch is hot-swappable, every key is individually lit, and the whole board is driven by a bare RP2040 with its own onboard flash. No piggyback module, no soldering to get started — just a clean, capable board ready for whatever you build around it.
A 60% built around the details that actually matter day to day — layout, swaps, lighting, and control.
The classic GH60 footprint, expanded with a real arrow cluster for everyday usability — without leaving the 60% form factor. Standard ANSI, 63 keys.
Kailh MX-style hot-swap sockets accept both 3-pin and 5-pin switches. Swap switches by hand — solder-free, any time.
A bare dual-core RP2040 with 16 MB of onboard QSPI flash, integrated directly on the PCB — not a plug-in module. Fast, and widely supported by firmware.
An addressable LED under every key, plus a full ring of underglow around the board's edges — 81 LEDs of lighting, driven on a single data line.
The Esc position accepts an EC11 encoder in place of a switch — made solder-free with machined press-fit sockets. Rotation and push are both mappable.
A discrete USB-C receptacle on the PCB edge, backed by ESD protection, a resettable fuse, and reverse-polarity protection. Built to last.
Standard ANSI with a dedicated arrow cluster, an encoder-ready Esc, and stabilizer support where you expect it.
Per-key backlight and full-perimeter underglow run as a single chain, buffered through a level shifter so the controller drives them cleanly. Tune it all live in VIA.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Form factor | 60% · GH60-compatible · 63 keys with arrow cluster · ANSI |
| PCB | 285.0 × 94.6 mm · 1.6 mm FR-4 · black soldermask (default) |
| Switch spacing | 19.05 mm · south-facing |
| Switches | Kailh MX-style hot-swap · 3-pin & 5-pin |
| Diodes | 1N4148W SOD-123 · COL2ROW |
| Stabilizers | Plate-mount · 6.25u space, 2u backspace, 2.25u enter, 2× 2u shift |
| Rotary encoder | Optional EC11 at Esc · solderless · rotate + push |
| Controller | RP2040 · dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ U4 |
| Flash | W25Q128 · 16 MB QSPI U3 |
| Connection | USB-C 2.0 receptacle · wired only J4 |
| Per-key lighting | 63 × SK6812 MINI-E addressable RGB |
| Underglow | 18 × WS2812B · full perimeter |
| LED data | Single chain · 74AHCT125 level shifter |
| Protection | USB ESD array · VBUS polyfuse · reverse-polarity P-MOS |
| Firmware | QMK (RP2040 / ChibiOS) · VIA-compatible · in development |
| Bootloader | RP2040 UF2 · BOOT + RESET on front edge |
| Mounting | GH60 standard hole pattern |
The board runs standard QMK, so anything the platform supports is on the table. Here's what the first firmware build targets.
A VIA-compatible layout with optional encoder mapping — remap keys and layers in software, no rebuild required.
QMK RGB Matrix covering both per-key and underglow LEDs, with live control of effects and brightness.
Predefined base, function, and encoder layers — F-row, media, navigation, and RGB controls out of the box.
Because the controller pins are locked on the PCB, firmware can be refined and reflashed at any time over USB — the board is ready before the software is finished.
Standard GH60 outline, mounting pattern, and USB-C cutout — fits common GH60 cases, including acrylic and clear builds that show off the underglow.
Works with GH60 plates cut for this exact arrow layout, with switch cutouts and stabilizer positions right where you expect them.
19.05 mm spacing and south-facing switches keep keycap fitment clean and interference-free across standard sets.
NerdBoard 60 is in active development — the PCB design is finalized, and firmware plus the first prototype run are underway. Register your interest and we'll reach out when it's available.