Custom micropad

BenGreenberg07·custom-micropad·PCB/PCBMacropad.kicad_pcb

About the Custom micropad PCB

Custom micropad is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by BenGreenberg07, published on GitHub under the MIT license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 61.9 × 82.2 mm, with 11 components from 3 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the XIAO-RP2040-DIP, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. By type, the board carries 9 switches, 1 IC and 1 diode.

It belongs with the keyboards designs in this gallery.

From the project

Custom 9-key mechanical macropad — KiCad PCB, XIAO RP2040, KMK firmware, and a 3D-printed case. Built for Hack Club Blueprint.

A fully custom, hand-designed 9-key mechanical macropad — from schematic and PCB layout to a 3D-printed enclosure and configurable keyboard firmware. Built for Hack Club's Blueprint program.

The 9Pad is a 3×3 grid of mechanical key switches that act as programmable shortcuts — perfect for media controls, app launchers, text macros, or anything you can map to a key. The whole device was designed from scratch: the circuit, the PCB, the case, and the firmware.

Main components on the Custom micropad

XIAO-RP2040-DIP

Custom micropad bill of materials (BOM)

11 components, 3 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
1	XIAO-RP2040-DIP	XIAO-RP2040-DIP	U1
9	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8 +1
1	SK6812MINI	LED_SK6812MINI_PLCC4_3.5x3.5mm_P1.75mm	D1

Custom micropad design files

The KiCad project lives in the BenGreenberg07/custom-micropad repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Custom micropad: common questions

What microcontroller does the Custom micropad use?

The Custom micropad is built around the XIAO-RP2040-DIP, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the Custom micropad PCB?

The Custom micropad measures 61.9 × 82.2 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Custom micropad?

11 components, from 3 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Custom micropad design files?

From the BenGreenberg07/custom-micropad repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Custom micropad design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its MIT license, which BenGreenberg07 chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the Custom micropad without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug RP2040/RP2350 firmware against it before you order a PCB.