Why Does a Computer Mouse Click?

A computer mouse is a relatively regular piece of input technology that’s probably used by everyone who has used a computer. It helps users navigate the computer’s screen with its cursor and select or click on areas. Well-known brands carry different models of mice to fit any user’s needs. But have you ever wondered why a mouse makes a clicking sound?

How a click clicks

Traditional computer mouse keys use mechanical buttons that register a click. These buttons are connected to a switch that activates when the mechanical buttons are activated. Hence, we all hear the familiar clicking sound when selecting something on the computer with a mouse. The clicking noise in computer mice results from the specialized switch technology that is almost universally used. These switches are of the subminiature precision snap-action type, with the initial versions being the Honeywell Micro Switch products, trademarked being owned by Honeywell Sensing and Control since 1950.

However, some modern mice use optical switches instead of mechanical buttons. They have a faster response time and no delay between clicks. An optical mouse switch registers a click using light-beam detection. While there are no mechanical buttons, they still use a spring mechanism that pushes the mouse button back to its default place. The spring of the mouse compresses and rebounds, making the click sound with feedback.

Purpose of the click

The primary purpose of the mouse-clicking sound is to provide feedback, confirming that the click has been registered. It eliminates any confusion if the click was successful or not in a very clever way. For most of us, when we use a mouse for a longer period, our brain adjusts to the feedback click and tends to get accustomed to it. When a mouse click does not make a click sound, we can feel something is missing and probably wrong with the click.

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The click sound is a clever way to ensure the user of the successful mouse click. Apart from that, mouse manufacturers intentionally include click-sound mechanisms as a part of elevating user experience. When users push the mouse button, the clicking sound gives a satisfying sense of control and responsiveness. To answer the question: The mouse clicks to provide feedback that you correctly submitted a command via the human interface device you know as the “mouse.”

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Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been taken by Nor Gal. The photo in the body of the article was prepared by Sonett72 at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.