# PFU PD-KB400KTB HHKB Keycap Set: Compatibility, Swap Guide, Printed vs Blank Tags: keycap-set, hhkb, pfu, pd-kb400ktb, topre, us-layout, keyboard-maintenance Source: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00FPH4K5O Article page: https://web-autoai.com/articles/pfu-hhkb-professional-pd-kb400ktb?lang=en Prices and ratings change over time — check the article page for the current values. --- The PFU HHKB Professional Series Keycap Set in Sumi (black) with top-left legends, model PD-KB400KTB, is a genuine replacement part for English-layout HHKB keyboards. This article covers how to confirm compatibility, what the swap actually involves, and how this set differs from the blank and center-printed variants. ## Overview PD-KB400KTB is a **genuine 60-piece keycap set for English-layout HHKB Professional keyboards**. The color is Sumi (black) and the legends are printed in the top-left corner, matching HHKB's standard printing style. A keycap puller and an instruction manual are included, so you can do the swap yourself the day it arrives. The short version: this set is for people who want their existing HHKB to look and read like it did on day one. If you want to change how the board *feels*, or you are shopping for shine-through or novelty caps, look elsewhere. The caps are stated to be identical in material and shape to the factory ones, so typing feel stays the same. For a repair part, "nothing changes" is exactly the point. Amazon. co. That is a strong score, but the sample is small — read it as "no widespread complaints about this part" rather than as a statistically solid rating. ## Compatibility Guide The set fits these seven models, **English (US) layout versions only**: - HHKB Professional - HHKB Professional2 Type-S - HHKB Professional HYBRID Type-S - HHKB Professional Classic Three things to verify before ordering. **Layout. ** The English layout has 60 keys; the Japanese layout has 69 and a different arrangement. This set will not fit a Japanese-layout HHKB — those need the PD-KB420 series instead. If you are unsure which you own, look for extra keys flanking the space bar, which indicates the Japanese layout. **Stem shape. ** HHKB Professional boards use electrostatic capacitive (Topre-style) switches, whose keycap mounts differ from the usual Cherry MX cross stem. Off-the-shelf MX keycap sets will not fit an HHKB Professional, and PD-KB400KTB cannot be reused on a typical mechanical keyboard. Assuming "keycaps are a standard" is the single most common misunderstanding around this product. **Series and generation. ** Only Professional-series boards are listed. Models outside that list — including later series and derivatives built on different switch mechanisms — are not covered. Check the model number on the underside of your keyboard against the list, character for character, and consult the manufacturer's compatibility page if anything is ambiguous. ## How to Swap the Keycaps The job needs one tool and no disassembly, but a few habits prevent mistakes. 1. **Photograph the layout first.** Remembering where all 60 caps went is harder than it sounds. One overhead phone photo solves it. 2. **Pull straight up.** Hook the puller on opposite corners and lift vertically. Angling the tool stresses the cap and the housing. 3. **Save the wide keys for last.** The space bar tilts easily, so lift it a little at a time from both sides. 4. **Clean while it is open.** A fully stripped board is the best chance you will get to blow out dust with compressed air or a soft brush. 5. **Seat each cap fully.** Press straight down until it clicks; a half-seated cap feels notchy when typed on. Budget roughly 30 minutes including cleaning. No soldering, no special tools. ## Choosing Between the Keycap Sets PFU offers several sets in this family, and you choose along **three axes: layout, legend position, and color**. PD-KB400KTB is the English / top-left printed / Sumi combination. | Axis | Options | How to decide | | --- | --- | --- | | Layout | English (PD-KB400 series) / Japanese (PD-KB420 series) | Dictated by your keyboard; no real choice | | Legend | Top-left printed / center printed / blank | Looks, plus whether you glance at the keys | | Color | Sumi, white, Fuji, and others | Match the case, or deliberately contrast it | One warning matters most here. **PD-KB400KTB is a printed set, so buying it will not give you a blank board for touch-typing practice. ** For that you need a blank (mukokuin) set. Conversely, if you run a blank HHKB and have decided you want legends back, this is exactly the fix. Mixing colors is also fair game: Sumi caps on a white case, or the reverse, is physically fine and is one of the perks of a genuine lineup that ships in multiple colors. ## Product Info | Item | Value | | --- | --- | | Keycap count | 60 | | Supported layout | English (QWERTY) | | Legend | Top-left printed | | Color | Sumi (black) | | Included | Keycap puller, instruction manual | | Package size | 373 x 161 x 56 mm | The count of 60 matches the key count of an English-layout HHKB, so one set covers an entire board. The 370 mm-wide box reflects the caps being laid out and fixed on a tray, which is worth knowing if you were expecting something mailbox-sized. Check the retailer's page for the latest price. co. The Rakuten figure is a marketplace listing, which tends to drift upward when stock is tight. Both are point-in-time captures and will move with sales, stock, and exchange rates — always check the live product page before buying. Fine for a spare part, but a small sample. In market terms this is clearly pricier than third-party keycap sets. Given the capacitive stem, however, the field of options that actually fit is narrow — you are paying for a guaranteed fit, and that framing makes the price easier to accept. ## Best Use Cases - **Long-time HHKB owners with shiny or faded caps.** Genuine parts restore the look without altering the feel of a board you already know. - **Blank-keycap owners who want legends back.** Blank boards look great but leave you hunting for symbol and modifier keys; top-left legends are a good balance of legibility and clean looks. - **Buyers of second-hand HHKBs.** A full cap swap resolves hygiene worries and cosmetic wear at once, especially paired with a cleaning session. - **Anyone building a two-tone board.** Sumi caps on a lighter case is an easy, reversible customization. - **People who want spares on hand** in case a single cap breaks later. ## Things to Check Before Buying This is where the set is a poor fit. **It will not change how your board feels. ** The caps match the factory spec, so typing feel is unchanged. To alter feel, look at silencing rings or dome changes instead. **It is the wrong set for touch-typing practice. ** PD-KB400KTB has legends. Choose a blank set if you want an unmarked board. Overlooking the "top-left printed" part of the product name is a common and avoidable mistake. **It does not fit Japanese-layout HHKBs. ** Different key count, different arrangement. Return policies vary by retailer, so checking first is the only real protection. **It does not fit other mechanical keyboards. ** The capacitive stem is not Cherry MX compatible. **Watch both the price gap and the listing details. Listing metadata — seller, fulfiller, color and layout wording — can also disagree with the actual item on shopping pages generally. **Cross-check the three attributes in the product name (English layout, top-left legends, Sumi) against the product photos before ordering**, and if the page lets you switch between color or legend variants, confirm which variant is selected right before you confirm the order. **Treat it as a consumable. ** Warranty handling follows the manufacturer's and retailer's policies for accessories; this is not a long-warranty purchase. ## FAQ **Q. Does the swap require soldering or disassembly? ** A. No. Pull the old caps with the included tool and press the new ones on. About 30 minutes including cleaning. **Q. Will typing feel change? ** A. Essentially no — the caps are stated to match the factory material and shape. **Q. Do 60 caps cover the whole board? ** A. Yes. That matches the English-layout HHKB key count, so one set replaces everything. **Q. Will it fit a Japanese-layout HHKB? ** A. No. Use the PD-KB420 series for that layout. **Q. Can I substitute a generic keycap set? ** A. Generally not. HHKB Professional uses capacitive switches with a different stem from Cherry MX caps. **Q. Can I replace only some keys? ** A. Yes. Wear concentrates on the home row, Enter, and the space bar, so swapping those and keeping the rest as spares is a valid approach. ### Product Disclosure (Amazon) - Manufacturer: HHKB - Seller: PFUダイレクト - Fulfilled by: PFUダイレクト - ASIN: B00FPH4K5O - Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.