How this mouse test works
Move your pointer over the test area and click. Each button you press lights up on the mouse diagram: left, right, middle and the side (back and forward) buttons. The scroll section shows the direction of the wheel and counts ticks. The double-click reading shows the time between two clicks in milliseconds, and the page also shows the cursor position as you move.
The polling rate estimate measures how often your mouse reports its position, in Hz. Move the mouse quickly in circles for a couple of seconds and the page works out the rate from the intervals between events. The drawing pad lets you scribble with the mouse so you can see if the line is smooth or jumps.
All of it happens locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or recorded.
How to read the results
- Buttons. Every button should light up once per press. A button that lights twice, or not at all, has a switch problem. Side buttons may not appear if your driver remaps them.
- Double-click interval. A normal deliberate double-click is 100–300 ms. If a single click produces a double-click reading under about 50 ms, the switch is chattering. This is the classic sign of a worn microswitch.
- Scroll wheel. Scrolling up should only ever register up. If you see a down tick when scrolling up, or skipped steps, the encoder is dirty or worn.
- Polling rate. Office mice report at 125 Hz, many gaming mice at 500 or 1000 Hz, and some at 4000 Hz or more. A browser estimate is approximate and can read lower than the real value if the computer is busy.
- Drawing pad. A jagged or broken line while you move at a steady pace points to a bad surface, a dirty sensor, a low battery or interference.
Mouse not working? Try these fixes
- Double-click on a single click. Clean around the button with compressed air first. If the fault stays, the microswitch is worn. Many gaming mice allow you to replace it, or you can use a different mouse.
- Scroll wheel skipping. Blow compressed air around the wheel and scroll it quickly. Check Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mouse on Windows 11 for the scroll lines setting. On macOS check System Settings → Mouse.
- Lag or stutter. Change the surface, since glass and glossy desks confuse optical sensors. Wipe the sensor lens, replace batteries and move the USB receiver to a port close to the mouse, using an extension cable if needed.
- Cursor jumps or does not move. Unplug and reconnect, try another USB port, and re-pair a Bluetooth mouse. On a Chromebook or Android device, turn Bluetooth off and on.
- Pointer too slow or fast. Adjust pointer speed in system settings, and turn off Enhance pointer precision on Windows if movement feels inconsistent.
- Drivers. If side buttons do nothing, install the manufacturer's software.
DPI versus polling rate
DPI describes how far the cursor moves for each inch you move the mouse, which sets sensitivity. Polling rate is how many times per second the mouse reports that movement to the computer. A higher polling rate gives smoother, more responsive tracking. It does not change sensitivity.
Why test your mouse
A test shows quickly whether a problem is hardware wear or a software setting, and whether a gaming mouse delivers the polling rate it is advertised for.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my mouse double-click when I click once?
The microswitch under the button is usually worn, so it registers two contacts. Cleaning can help briefly, but the fix is normally replacing the switch or the mouse.
Why is my scroll wheel jumping or skipping?
Dust or wear in the wheel's encoder is the most common cause. Blow compressed air around the wheel, and check that your scroll settings are not set to an odd value.
What is mouse polling rate?
It is how many times per second the mouse reports its position to the computer, measured in Hz. Common values are 125, 500 and 1000 Hz.
What is the difference between DPI and polling rate?
DPI sets how far the cursor moves per inch of mouse movement. Polling rate sets how often that movement is reported, which affects smoothness, not speed.
Why is my mouse lagging?
Weak batteries, a distant USB receiver, a glossy surface or a dirty sensor are the usual culprits. Try a mouse pad and a closer receiver port.
Does the test show my side buttons?
Yes, back and forward buttons light up on the diagram when pressed, unless a driver remaps them to something else.
Why doesn't the right-click menu open inside the test?
The test area blocks the browser context menu on purpose so that right clicks can be counted. Right-click works normally everywhere else on the page.
Can I test a wireless mouse?
Yes, a wireless mouse is tested the same way as a wired one once it is connected through its receiver or Bluetooth. If readings look unstable, replace the batteries and move the receiver closer, as these affect polling rate and lag.