Aspects of the invention relate to a keyboard key structure, a light guide for the keyboard key structure, and a computer key mechanism. The keyboard key structure can include a substrate; a key switch where the bottom of the key switch is configured to be coupled to the substrate; a keycap including a transparent region; a light guide coupled to the side of the key switch, the light guide comprising: a planar bottom surface and a planar top surface that is wider than and parallel to the bottom surface; a light emitting element coupled to the substrate and configured under the bottom surface of the light guide such that the light emitting element, the light guide, and the transparent region of the key cap are in a collinear arrangement.