What is a Mouse made of?

Introduction

• A mouse = lots of small parts working together.
• Some parts you can see (shell, skates, wheel), some are hidden inside (chip, sensor, battery).
• Knowing the parts means you can compare mice properly before you buy, not just go on marketing.

tip: screws usually hide under the skates!

The 22 Parts (ranked, #1 matters most)

(colours below: outside, brain, buttons, power, small parts)

outside brain buttons power small parts

1. Shell: Outer body. Decides shape, size, grip feel. TOP 6~ like: a shoe - best sole is useless if it doesn't fit
2. Sensor: Tiny camera under the mouse, tracks movement. TOP 6~ like: the eye
3. Lens: Clear piece that focuses light onto the pad. TOP 6~ like: glasses for the eye
4. MCU (chip): The brain. Reads sensor + buttons, talks to the PC. TOP 6~ like: the brain giving orders
5. Main click switches: Under left & right click. Mechanical or optical. TOP 6~ like: a light switch pressed 1000s of times
6. Skates (feet): Glide pads on the bottom. PTFE or glass. TOP 6~ like: ice skates
7. Wireless radio + antenna: Sends the 2.4GHz signal to the PC.~ like: a walkie-talkie
8. Receiver (dongle): USB piece in the PC that catches the signal.~ like: the other walkie-talkie
9. Main PCB: Circuit board holding + connecting everything.~ like: roads of a city
10. Battery: Lithium battery for wireless mice.~ like: fuel tank
11. Charging circuit: Small chips that charge the battery safely.~ like: a guard for the fuel tank
12. Scroll encoder: Detects wheel turns, makes the 'steps'.~ like: ticks of a dial
13. Scroll wheel: The wheel you roll. Rubber or plastic.~ like: a bicycle wheel
14. Middle click switch: The switch under the scroll wheel.~ like: a doorbell under the wheel
15. Side buttons + small PCB: Side switches, often on their own little board.~ like: shortcut keys for the thumb
16. Flex cables: Thin ribbon wires linking boards.~ like: nerves
17. Onboard memory: Saves DPI + settings inside the mouse.~ like: a memory card
18. USB-C port: For charging or wired use.~ like: phone charging port
19. Cable: Wired mice only. Paracord = soft, rubber = drags.~ like: earphone wire
20. DPI button: Changes cursor speed.~ like: gear shifter
21. LEDs / RGB: Status light or decoration.~ like: car lights
22. Frame + screws: Hold it all together (hidden under the skates).~ like: the skeleton

Parts vs What you Feel

Shape & size → Shell

Weight → ALL parts added (shell + battery biggest)

Grip style → your hand, NOT the mouse

Click feel → switches + shell button design

Glide → skates

Tracking → sensor + lens + MCU

Polling / latency → MCU + wireless radio

Battery life → battery + MCU efficiency

Remember!!

Fit first -> then tracking -> then clicks -> then everything else.

Components = what it's made of. Characteristics = what you feel.