What is a mouse's speed called? - briefly
The movement rate of a computer mouse is called pointer speed, commonly expressed as mouse sensitivity or DPI (dots per inch).
What is a mouse's speed called? - in detail
The rate at which a computer mouse moves across the screen is expressed as its sensitivity, commonly measured in DPI (dots per inch) or CPI (counts per inch). DPI indicates how many pixels the cursor travels for each inch of physical movement; higher values produce faster on‑screen motion. Some manufacturers label the same specification as CPI, but the meaning remains identical.
Two additional parameters influence perceived speed:
- Polling rate (Hz): frequency at which the mouse reports its position to the computer. Higher rates (e.g., 1000 Hz) reduce latency, making motion feel smoother and more responsive.
- Acceleration: algorithm that modifies cursor velocity based on movement speed. When enabled, rapid strokes generate disproportionately larger cursor jumps, while slow motions remain precise.
Adjustments are typically available through driver software or operating‑system settings. Users can increase DPI to achieve faster cursor travel, lower it for finer control, or combine DPI changes with acceleration toggles to tailor the experience for gaming, graphic design, or general use.