Since 1830s when first Russian diatonic accordions (named garmonika, garmon or garmoshka after German: Harmonika) began being produced in Tula many regional variations appeared.

From those types under the probable influence of two-row bisonoric German accordions the first khromkas were made in 1890s.

The main reasons of the choice of khromka were: unisonoric, simplicity and at the same time great musical potential.

Today only two factories still exist in Tula and Shuya, producing just several thousand khromkas a year.

In general khromkas are very similar to Western diatonic accordions but in many ways they differ greatly, being more close to bayans.

Each button produces only one note either on pressing or drawing the bellows, hence khromkas are unique amongst diatonic accordions.

Expensive professional khromkas can have up to five voices, cassotto, register switches on both the right and left sides and 2 (or even 4) additional treble buttons (like said above),.

Cheap, child or souvenir models can have only one or two voices, and reduced number of the buttons (15, 19 or 23 in the right and 12 in the left).