When buying a computer mouse, there are a number of terms that may appear in reviews or on the back of the box. To help make a purchase more straightforward and help avoid confusion or buyer regrets, we’ve compiled a list of computer mouse terms you’re most likely to come across.
Acceleration: A setting that adjusts the speed of the cursor based on the speed of the physical mouse movement, allowing for precise control.
Acceleration Profile: A setting that defines how mouse acceleration increases or decreases as you move the computer mouse more rapidly.
Adjustable Scroll Resistance: Some mice allow users to customise the resistance of the scroll wheel to their preference.
Angle Snapping: A feature that smooths out diagonal movements to create straight lines.
Angular Resolution: The degree of detail a computer mouse sensor can detect in relation to angular movement.
API (Application Programming Interface): Software that allows programs to communicate with the operating system to utilise mouse input.
Back Button: A button often found on the side of a computer mouse that, when clicked, takes the user back to a previous web page or screen.
Button Click Force: The amount of pressure needed to press a mouse button and register a click.
Button Response Time: The time it takes for a mouse button click to register after pressing the button.
Calibration: The process of configuring the mouse’s sensor to perform optimally on a specific surface.
Claw Grip: A form of computer mouse grip that has the tips of the fingers and the heel of the palm contact the mouse. The fingers are highly arched.
CPI (Counts Per Inch): The same as DPI (Dots Per Inch), a measurement of computer mouse sensitivity regarding cursor movement on the screen per inch of physical movement.
Corded Mouse: A mouse that connects to the computer using a physical cable.
Customisable Buttons: Mice equipped with programmable buttons that can be configured for specific functions, ideal for gaming or productivity.
Cursor: The on-screen pointer that moves in response to the mouse’s movement.
DPI (Dots Per Inch): A measurement of a mouse’s sensitivity, showing how far the cursor moves on the screen per inch of physical movement.
Double-click: The act of rapidly clicking the left mouse button twice to perform actions such as opening files or launching programs.
Drag-and-Drop: A method of moving files or objects on the computer screen by holding down a computer mouse button, moving the item, and releasing the button.
Ergonomic: A computer mouse design that aims to provide comfort and reduce strain during extended use.
Finger Grip: A style of holding the mouse where only the fingertips contact the surface of the mouse, allowing for precise control.
Horizontal Scrolling: The ability to scroll left and right in addition to vertical scrolling.
Inertial Scrolling: A feature that simulates the feel of a physical scroll wheel, allowing for smoother scrolling on touch-sensitive surfaces.
Left-click: Pressing the left button on the mouse to perform standard actions like selecting items or opening files.
Lift-off Distance: The height at which the computer mouse sensor stops tracking movement when lifted off the surface.
Low-friction Feet: Pads or material on the bottom of the computer mouse that reduce resistance for smoother movement.
Macro: A series of recorded mouse and keyboard actions that can be replayed with a single mouse button press, often used in gaming.
Middle Click: Pressing the scroll wheel as a button to perform specific actions, often used to open links in new tabs.
Mouse Pad: A flat surface on which to use the mouse, often designed to improve tracking and reduce wear on the mouse’s sensor.
Navigation Button: A specialised button on some mice, often used for navigating backward and forward in web browsers.
Noiseless Clicks: A feature that makes mouse clicks quieter to reduce disruption in quiet environments.
Palm Grip: A style of holding the mouse where the entire hand rests on the mouse’s surface.
Palm Rest: An area on the mouse designed for the palm of the hand to rest on comfortably.
Panning: Scrolling across large documents or web pages by moving the mouse while holding the right mouse button.
Pointer: A graphic symbol controlled by the mouse, often represented as an arrow, which shows where the mouse is pointing on the screen.
Pointer Speed: A system setting that allows you to control the overall speed of your mouse pointer’s movement.
Polling Rate: The rate at which the mouse reports its position to the computer, typically measured in Hertz (Hz).
Right-click: Pressing the right button on the mouse to access context menus or perform secondary actions.
Scroll Wheel: A wheel found between the left and right mouse buttons used to scroll up and down within documents or web pages.
Sensitivity: Another term for DPI or CPI, showing how sensitive the mouse is to movement.
Sensor: The part of a mouse that captures images of the surface beneath it to track movement.
Thumb Buttons: Buttons found on the side of a mouse, near the thumb, often used for navigation or other functions.
Vertical Scrolling: The ability to scroll up and down within documents or web pages.
Weight Tuning: The ability to adjust the weight of the computer mouse by adding or removing weights to achieve the desired balance.
Wireless: A type of mouse that connects to the computer without the need for a physical cord, usually through Bluetooth or a USB receiver.
