Update | Keychron announces open-source initiative, publishes free 3D models for all keyboard and mouse products
April 13, 2026 11:47 AM GMT update:
As multiple readers point out - thanks, Lucian and Pedro - it is important to stress that the license is not exactly an open-source one. Instead, the files and data are free for non-commercial use, as detailed here (GitHub link) and as originally stated at the end of the article.
Original article continues as follows:
Over the years, we've reviewed a number of Keychron's peripherals, including everything from the ergonomic K15 Max and Q13 Max to the gaming-focussed Q1 HE 8K and K4 HE, and even the divisive MX Master 4 alternative M6 8K mouse (curr. $69.99 on Amazon), and we've generally come away impressed with the build quality and customisation of Keychron's products. Now, though, Keychron is opening up that customisation even more by making all of its hardware designs open source, publishing those files in a new GitHub repository for anyone to access for free.
The company's CEO noted in the announcement on Discord that “We think that making production hardware files available is a meaningful contribution to the broader hardware and keyboard community,” and this might be an attempt to recoup a bit of lost goodwill after the company had a production run of bad keyboards that led to issues with double inputs and missed key presses.
Motivations aside, the GitHub repository contains CAD files — 3D models in STEP and DXF format for 2D plate files — that Keychron notes are specifically compatible with programs like FreeCAD, Onshape, Fusion360, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and DraftSight, although they should open just fine in other CAD programs that support STEP and DXF files.
This is far from the company's first dance with open-source. Keychron has previously published the plate files for many of its best mechanical keyboards, and it has published the QMK source code for many of its keyboards, even if those are often delayed. It has also used the open-source ZMK firmware for its recent Ultra series keyboards, like the Q1 Ultra we reviewed recently, but it has not since published the firmware for the Ultra keyboards, although the MIT licence does not mandate publishing derivative products or upstreaming firmware under the same licence.
Keychron has used STEP files for the 3D models, which aren't directly editable using features, as would be possible with package-specific files, but it's a fair sight better than STL files or a mesh file, since those are effectively uneditable. With the currently available files, users should be able to 3D print or CNC machine enclosures or other parts in other materials that may have their own benefits over the stock materials, or use CAD packages, like Fusion360 or FreeCAD, to modify the files with basic CAD skills or even kit-bashing workflows.
Perusing the GitHub repository reveals a rather complete treasure trove of models, including models for keycaps, keyboard cases, knobs, plates, mouse shells, and even stabiliser housings. It's important to note that Keychron's licence for these files explicitly prevent any commercial use, although it's unclear where that ends.
The full licence reads as follows:
Keychron Source-Available License
Copyright (c) 2024-present Keychron (Keychron Technology, Inc)
This project is source-available. Commercial use is strictly prohibited.
PERMISSIONS — You MAY:
- View, download, and study the design files for personal or
educational purposes.- Modify the files and create derivative works for personal,
non-commercial use (e.g., 3D printing a custom case for yourself).- Share the original, unmodified files with others, provided this
license and copyright notice are included in full.- Reference or cite the files in academic or educational contexts.
RESTRICTIONS — You MAY NOT:
- Use the files, or any derivative of them, for commercial purposes.
This includes, but is not limited to: manufacturing, selling,
offering for sale, distributing for profit, or incorporating into
any product or service intended for commercial gain.- Sublicense, relicense, or redistribute modified versions of the
files without prior written permission from Keychron.- Remove or alter this license notice, copyright notice, or any
attribution to Keychron.- Represent derivative works as officially endorsed by Keychron.
COMMERCIAL LICENSING:
Commercial use is strictly prohibited.
DISCLAIMER:
THE FILES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED. IN NO EVENT SHALL KEYCHRON BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM,
DAMAGES, OR OTHER LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE USE OF THESE FILES.Keychron reserves the right to modify the terms of this license for
future releases of these design files.
Keychron has also linked the GitHub repository to its website, streamlining the download process by allowing you to select a keyboard from a drop-down menu and simply downloading that file via the same store checkout flow that you'd normally use to buy a product.
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