How to use the mouse click test
- Move the pointer into the test box and click once with the left button. The left button on the mouse diagram lights up and its counter goes up by one.
- Press the right button and the middle button, which is the scroll wheel pressed down. Press any side buttons your mouse has.
- Scroll the wheel up and down a few notches and watch the scroll counters. Each notch should add one count in the right direction.
- Click slowly and check the quick repeats counter. It should stay at zero if every press sends a single click.
- Press Reset to clear the counters and test again, or press Esc to let the page scroll normally.
How to read the results
- A button lights up and counts once per press: the switch, the cable or wireless link and the signal are all working for that button.
- A button never lights up: it is not registering. Press it firmly a few more times before assuming it has failed.
- Quick repeats above zero while you click slowly: one press sent two clicks within 50 milliseconds. This is the classic sign of a worn switch.
- Double-clicks: counts the double-clicks the browser recognizes. It should go up only when you double-click on purpose.
- Scroll up and scroll down: each notch should add one count in the matching direction. Skips or the wrong direction point to a dirty or worn wheel sensor.
- Clicks in the last second and peak: a live rate that helps you see whether clicks are being dropped when you click fast.
What each mouse button reports
Browsers give every button a number. Knowing which is which makes it easier to tell a dead button from one that the mouse software has remapped.
| Button | Code | Usual job |
|---|---|---|
| Left | 0 | Select, click and drag |
| Middle (wheel press) | 1 | Open a link in a new tab, close a tab, scroll mode |
| Right | 2 | Open the context menu |
| Back (side) | 3 | Go back one page in the browser |
| Forward (side) | 4 | Go forward one page in the browser |
What this test cannot detect
A web page only sees the clicks and scrolls that the browser and operating system pass along. It cannot measure the sensor, the tracking accuracy, the DPI setting or the polling rate, and it cannot see cursor jitter or lag. Extra buttons on a gaming mouse are often handled by the manufacturer's software, so they may never reach the page. If a spare button stays dark, check whether it is assigned to a macro or a profile switch before deciding it is broken.
Who this is for
- Anyone whose mouse double-clicks by itselfConfirm whether the switch is chattering before you replace the mouse.
- Buyers of used mice and laptopsCheck every button and the wheel in under a minute before you pay.
- GamersFind out whether a button drops presses when you click fast.
- Office and remote workersRule out the hardware when a click seems to be ignored in one program.
- IT and repair techniciansRun a quick pass on returned or newly issued machines and peripherals.
- Anyone after a spill or a dropFind out which buttons survived before deciding whether to replace the mouse.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean if a mouse button never lights up?
The browser did not receive a signal from that button. Press it a few more times, firmly, in case the first press was weak. If it still stays dark, the switch under the button may have failed, the cable or wireless link may be dropping, or the button may be mapped to something else by the mouse software. Try the mouse on another computer to see whether the fault travels with it.
Why does my mouse double-click when I click once?
This is usually switch chatter. The tiny switch under the button wears out and bounces, so one press sends two clicks a few milliseconds apart. The quick repeats counter on this page counts a second press of the same button within 50 milliseconds, which is faster than a person can click on purpose. If that number goes up while you click slowly, the switch is wearing out. Cleaning rarely fixes it, and replacing the switch or the mouse usually does.
Does this page record or send anything I do?
No. It only counts clicks and scrolls inside the test box and shows the totals on screen. Nothing is stored, and nothing is sent to a server. Closing or reloading the page clears every counter.
Can I test the back and forward side buttons?
Yes, if your mouse has them. They appear as small pads on the left side of the mouse diagram. Some browsers still go back or forward when you press them, even though the page tries to block that. If the page changes while you test, press the side button again after returning, or check it in a different browser.
My scroll wheel skips or scrolls the wrong way. How can I check?
Scroll up slowly, one notch at a time, and watch the scroll up counter. Every notch should add exactly one count to the matching direction. If an upward notch sometimes adds to scroll down, or a notch adds nothing, the wheel sensor is dirty or worn. Blowing air around the wheel often helps, and a worn sensor usually means a new mouse.
Does it work with a trackpad or a touchscreen?
A trackpad works: a tap or click counts as a left or right click and a two-finger scroll counts as wheel scrolling. A touchscreen sends taps as left clicks only, so it cannot test the other buttons or the wheel. The pointer type readout shows what the browser thinks you are using.
Is this a click speed test?
No. It is a diagnostic for buttons and the wheel. The clicks in the last second and peak clicks per second numbers give a rough idea of how fast you click, but they are there to help spot problems, not to rank your speed.
Why does the page stop scrolling when my pointer is over the box?
After you click inside the box, the page keeps the scroll wheel for the test so that every notch can be counted. Press Esc or move the pointer out of the box and normal page scrolling comes back.