2 layers232.6 × 118.3 mm
Krtkus
swift502/Krtkus
Low profile 5x12 ortholinear keyboard design for choc/ks-33 switches
123 parts45CC0-1.0
2 layers232.6 × 118.3 mm
Krtkus
swift502/Krtkus45Low profile 5x12 ortholinear keyboard design for choc/ks-33 switches
- Size
- 232.6 × 118.3 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 123
- Nets
- 85
- Pads
- 451
- Tracks, vias
- 525, 61
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 8.0 (file 20240108)
- Created
- 1 Apr 2024
- Updated
- 10 Apr 2026
Overview
Krtkus is an open-source printed circuit board by swift502, from the swift502/Krtkus repository on GitHub, published under the CC0-1.0 licence. It is a 2-layer board of 232.6 × 118.3 mm with 123 parts on 85 nets, routed with 525 tracks and 61 vias.
Its parts include 61 diodes, 61 switches and 1 IC. It belongs with the keyboards and input boards and the AVR (ATmega, ATtiny) boards of this library.
README
README.md
Krtkus
[!WARNING] Krtkus has been succeeded by Krteq, a much more complete design that's also easier to build. I recommend you check it out instead!
An extended 5x12 keyboard with 2 extra keys. The design is intended for ortho layouts with a shifted number row, allowing for the placement of the delete and tilde keys above their usual spots. PCBs are designed in Kicad, case in Blender.
- Low profile
- Kailh Choc V1
- Gateron KS-27/KS-33
- QMK/VIA compatible
- Tray mount
- 3D printed case with a 7 degree tilt
- 236mm × 122mm × 30mm
Connecting the keyboard to usevia.app requires manually uploading the design file in the design tab.
Parts
- One of the PCBs:
- Case:
- Arduino Pro Micro
- 61 SMD diodes
- 61 switches
- 61 keycaps
- 5 M2x6mm screws
Optional:
- 90 degree Micro-USB cable
- Rubber feet
Room for improvement
- Spacebar stabilizer
- Num/Caps indicators
- LED matrix
- Hotswap version
- Standard USB port orientation
- Protect the MCU against dust
All of the above have been addressed by the successor Krteq.
My builds
| Board | Keycaps | Switches | Case | Firmware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | MBK Legend Ergo/Ortho | Choc V1 Brown | Black Resin | Caterina |
 | Keychron LSA ABS | KS-33 Brown | Black Resin | Caterina |
 | Keychron LSA ABS | KS-33 Red | 9600 Resin | Caterina (Legacy) |
 | Dell AT101W | KS-33 Banana | Krtkus Retro | Caterina |
QMK
Standard QMK setup except for "tap_keycode_delay": 40, which fixes ignored taps in some games where input scanning is tied to frame rate. To the best of my knowledge, keeping this value above 33ms (30fps) should cover all edge cases.
Documentation
info.jsonreference: https://docs.qmk.fm/reference_info_json- Keycodes: https://docs.qmk.fm/keycodes
Compiling (Windows)
- Python: https://www.python.org/
- MSYS: https://msys.qmk.fm
- Toolbox: https://qmk.fm/toolbox
Run the compile script:
python qmk_compile.pyResetting
Once the firmware is flashed, it provides key combinations to enter bootloader or clear the keyboard's persistent storage.
- LShift + RShift + B - Puts the keyboard into bootloader mode for flashing
- LShift + RShift + C - Clears EEPROM and reverts to the default keymap
Kicad 8
Libraries
Below is a list libraries included in the project. These libraries are not licensed under CC0. Please refer to each specific library for licensing details.
Switch grid
| Unit | Offset |
|---|---|
| Switch | 19.05 |
| Switch 4 | 4.7625 |
| Switch 16 | 1.190625 |
| Switch 64 | 0.29765625 |
Parts
123| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 1N47xxA | ScottoKeebs_Components:Diode_SOD-123 | D1, D2, D10, D11, D12, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18, D20, D21, D22, D23, D24, D26 +45 |
| 61 | Push | ScottoKeebs_Choc:Choc_V1_1.00u_No_Label | SW1, SW2, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW20, SW21, SW22, SW23, SW24, SW26 +45 |
| 1 | Arduino_Pro_Micro | ScottoKeebs_MCU:Arduino_Pro_Micro | U1 |
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Questions
How big is the Krtkus PCB?
It measures 232.6 × 118.3 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Krtkus use?
123 parts. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Krtkus KiCad files?
From the swift502/Krtkus repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is source/kicad/choc_v1/krtkus.kicad_pcb and its schematic source/kicad/choc_v1/krtkus.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Krtkus design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the CC0-1.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).