Mouse Wheel Functions, Usage, and Types Explained

The mouse wheel has become an essential tool for improving the efficiency of computer work.

However, without understanding its mechanism, types, and how to use it, it can be difficult to choose the right mouse or make full use of its features.

While many people know the basics of the mouse wheel, fewer are familiar with features like tilt wheels for horizontal scrolling, or the differences between notched (step) and smooth (infinite) wheels.

This article explains the basic features and structure of the mouse wheel, how to use it, the different types, and key points for comfortable use in an easy-to-understand way.

This article summarizes the knowledge needed when choosing a mouse.

≫ Related article: How to Choose a Mouse [Features / Compatibility / Tips]

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About the Mouse Wheel

This section explains the basic features, uses, and internal mechanism of the mouse wheel.

What is a Mouse Wheel?

The mouse wheel is a rotating part located in the center of a computer mouse, mainly used to easily scroll the screen.

By rotating the wheel up or down with a finger, it is possible to quickly move through web pages or documents.

Other uses include opening links in new tabs, zooming in and out, and auto-scrolling.

Without the wheel, scrolling would require using the keyboard arrow keys or the scroll bar on the right side of the screen.

However, these methods require moving the hand or shifting the gaze and cursor, while the mouse wheel allows operation with just the fingertips, greatly improving usability.

Structure and Mechanism of the Wheel

The structure and mechanism of the mouse wheel are designed so users can intuitively perform actions like scrolling and zooming.

The wheel itself is usually a cylindrical part covered with rubber or silicone to prevent slipping, with a plastic or metal shaft running through the center.

This shaft is firmly fixed to the mouse body, and turning the wheel rotates the shaft as well.

There are two main ways to detect wheel rotation: mechanical and optical.

• Mechanical: A gear-shaped disk rotates, and a switch-like contact is mechanically turned on/off.
• Optical: A light sensor detects the rotation.

Most standard mice use the mechanical method.

The optical method offers higher precision and less wear, and is used in gaming mice or high-precision, long-life models, which are often more expensive.

How to Use the Mouse Wheel

There are actually many ways to use the mouse wheel, summarized below.

Scrolling Pages and Documents

Using the mouse wheel allows intuitive and quick scrolling of on-screen information, which is a major advantage.

Using the keyboard arrow keys or scroll bar requires moving the hand or shifting the gaze and cursor, but with the mouse wheel, pages can be scrolled up and down easily with just the fingertips.

This reduces hand fatigue during work and makes it easier to check information efficiently.

The amount of scroll can be finely adjusted by how much the wheel is turned, so even with long web pages or large amounts of data, it is easy to access the desired location.

Also, in Windows mouse settings, the scroll amount per turn can be adjusted to personal preference.

Open Links in New Tabs / Close Tabs

In web browsers, clicking the wheel (pressing down on the wheel) on a link opens that link in a new background tab.

This is convenient for opening links to read later while reading an article.

Also, clicking the wheel on a browser tab closes that tab.

This makes it easy to close tabs without having to aim for the small “×” button.

Zoom In / Zoom Out

By holding the “Ctrl” key (or “Command” key on Mac) and turning the mouse wheel up or down, the screen can be zoomed in or out.

This operation works in many applications, such as web browsers, PDF readers, text editors, Excel, and image editing software.

This makes it easy to check small text or fine image details, greatly improving visibility and work efficiency.

Compared to using menu operations or shortcut keys, this method allows quick adjustment directly with the mouse.

Auto-Scroll

Clicking the wheel brings up a special cursor (an arrow-like icon) in the center of the screen, enabling automatic scrolling according to mouse movement.

Moving the cursor in the desired scroll direction from the special icon starts scrolling.

Depending on the application, both vertical and horizontal scrolling may be supported.

The further the mouse cursor moves from the special icon, the faster the scroll speed becomes.

Custom Operations in Games and Apps

In some apps and games, wheel rotation or clicking can be assigned to actions like weapon switching, tool selection, or zooming.

These assignments can sometimes be changed in the app or game settings, or by using dedicated software provided by the mouse manufacturer.

Depending on the mouse or software, assignments can be changed for each app, such as web browsing, document creation, image editing, or programming.

For games, the wheel’s behavior and functions can be switched, allowing for quick weapon changes or item selection to match play style.

Types of Mouse Wheels

There are various types of mouse wheels, such as notched (step), smooth (infinite), and tilt wheels for horizontal scrolling.

To help choose the best one, the types are explained below.

Notched (Step) Wheel

The notched wheel is a common type of mouse wheel, characterized by a distinct clicking feel when scrolling.

It is also called a ratchet wheel, click wheel, or step wheel.

Inside, a ratchet mechanism with small gears and springs creates a physical catch at regular intervals as the wheel turns.

This provides clear feedback for each notch, making it easy to scroll precisely or move one line at a time.

This type is especially useful for tasks requiring precise scrolling, such as document creation or spreadsheets, and helps prevent unintentional over-scrolling.

The clear step-by-step action also makes it suitable for switching options or operating lists.

Smooth (Infinite) Wheel

A smooth (infinite) wheel is a type that rotates smoothly without a clicking feel when turned.

It is also called a free-spin wheel, smooth scroll wheel, clickless wheel, or free-scroll wheel.

Unlike standard wheels that stop at intervals, the smooth wheel has almost no resistance and can keep spinning for a long time if flicked.

This is very convenient for quickly scrolling through long web pages or large numbers of files.

Recently, high-end mice have appeared that can switch between notched and smooth modes.

With such models, it is possible to choose notched mode for precise movement and smooth mode for fast scrolling, greatly improving usability and convenience.

Personally, I use a hybrid type ( ロジクール MX Master 2S / successor model available). At first, the fast scrolling was surprising, but once used to it, it is very convenient.

The speed for moving to the bottom of long web pages, PDF files, or source code is completely different.

For the MX Master 2S, it can always be set to smooth mode, or use notched mode for light turns and smooth mode for fast spins.

This allows for precise movement in notched mode and fast movement in smooth mode, making it extremely convenient.

After using this, it is hard to go back to a regular notched wheel.

Tilt Wheel (Horizontal Scroll)

The tilt wheel is an advanced mouse wheel that allows horizontal scrolling by tilting the wheel left or right.

There are two types of tilt wheels:

• Type operated by tilting the existing wheel left or right
  One wheel handles both vertical rotation and horizontal tilt.
  The wheel shaft can be slightly tilted left or right, pressing a microswitch.
  This design is compact and simple, and relatively inexpensive, but the feel can be awkward, and the tilt may be stiff or hard to notice.
• Type with a dedicated horizontal wheel
  A separate rotating wheel or trackball is added for horizontal scrolling.
  This allows more intuitive and smooth horizontal scrolling, but tends to be larger and more expensive.

Having used both, the dedicated horizontal wheel is much easier to use.

With the tilt type, the wheel must be pressed left or right with the middle finger, which is less intuitive than vertical scrolling and can be harder to operate.

• Side pressure with the middle finger is not a natural movement, requiring fine control.
• The tilt angle is shallow, making the pressed feel ambiguous.
• Long use can cause finger fatigue.

For occasional use, the tilt type is fine, but for frequent horizontal scrolling, a mouse with a dedicated wheel is recommended.

Tilt wheels are useful in the following situations:

• Horizontal scrolling in spreadsheets
  Quickly move left and right in wide tables in Excel or Google Sheets.
  Allows natural scrolling just like vertical movement.
• Timeline editing (video/music production)
  In Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or music DAWs (Cubase, Logic Pro, etc.),
  scroll horizontally on the timeline for efficient editing.
• Image editing / DTP work
  In Photoshop or Illustrator, move the zoomed canvas left or right smoothly.
• Viewing source code
  In IDEs (Visual Studio, VS Code, etc.), check long lines by horizontal scrolling.
• Table-based business applications
  Efficiently operate horizontally expanded information in accounting, inventory, or sales support tools.
• Custom shortcut operations
  With compatible mice and dedicated software (e.g., Logi Options+, X-Mouse Button Control), any action can be assigned to the tilt wheel.

(In the case of ロジクール MX Master 2S )

With custom shortcut operations, compatible mice can use the manufacturer’s software to change assignments as shown above.

Silent Wheel

A silent wheel is a mouse wheel that greatly reduces the clicking sound when turned.

Recently, silent wheels are becoming standard, especially for business and general use.

Regular mouse wheels have a ratchet mechanism inside that creates a physical click and sound when scrolling.

Silent wheels use special materials or structures, such as silicone or soft resin, to keep the click feel but almost eliminate the sound.

Silent wheels are especially recommended for quiet environments like libraries, offices, meeting rooms, or late-night home use.

They are also suitable for those sensitive to noise or who want to be considerate of others.

Weaknesses and Cautions of Mouse Wheels

This section explains the weaknesses and cautions of mouse wheels.

Finger Grease and Dust Accumulate Easily

The mouse wheel is a part that is directly touched by fingers, so it easily collects oils, sweat, and dirt.

Especially after long use, the wheel surface may become discolored or sticky.

The rotating part and gaps around the wheel also tend to collect not only finger dirt but also dust and small debris from the air.

If this dirt accumulates, the wheel may become harder to turn, or the internal sensor or switch may malfunction, so care is needed.

For cleanliness and stable operation, wipe the wheel surface regularly with a soft cloth or cotton swab, and use an air duster or fine brush to remove dust from gaps.

The Rubber Part Deteriorates Over Time

Most mouse wheels are covered with rubber to prevent slipping, but this rubber deteriorates over time.

Deterioration is caused not only by time but also by hand sweat, oils, friction, and even UV light.

Specifically, the rubber may harden and lose elasticity, crack, or become sticky.

These changes can make the wheel harder to turn or slippery, reducing work efficiency.

If deterioration progresses, the rubber may peel off, shortening the wheel’s lifespan.

Those who use computers for long hours daily or have sweaty hands may experience faster rubber deterioration.

Rubber deterioration is unavoidable, so it is one of the mouse wheel’s weaknesses.

With my frequently used ロジクール MX Master 2S , cracks appeared on the surface and the rubber started peeling, so I decided to remove all the rubber.

This may not be the best solution and opinions may vary on the appearance, but personally, I prefer it this way.

At first, the lack of rubber grip made it slippery and hard to use, but after getting used to it, there was no problem with operation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mouse Wheels

This section answers common questions about mouse wheels.

How to Adjust Scroll Speed?

Scroll speed can be adjusted in the computer’s mouse settings or with dedicated mouse software.

For Windows, open the “Settings” app, go to “Devices” → “Mouse”.

In [Scroll amount with mouse wheel], choose either “multiple lines at a time” or “one screen at a time”.

If “multiple lines at a time” is selected, the number of lines per scroll can also be set.

How Durable is the Mouse Wheel?

Mouse wheels on standard products are designed to withstand hundreds of thousands to millions of rotations.

Famous brands conduct durability tests on the wheel before shipping, and for normal home or office use, they usually last 3 to 5 years without problems.

Gaming mice or high-quality models may be rated for over 10 million rotations.

However, actual lifespan varies greatly depending on usage, frequency, and storage conditions.

For example, using the mouse for long hours daily or frequent wheel use in games can cause faster wear.

If dust or debris gets inside, the wheel may become harder to turn, or the sensor may malfunction or break.

Also, forcing the wheel or dropping the mouse can damage the internal gears or encoder, so handle with care.

To use the mouse wheel comfortably for a long time, regularly clean the mouse and wheel area to prevent dust and foreign matter from entering.

Also, avoid using excessive force and handle gently.

Having used computers for about 20 years, 8–12 hours a day, I have replaced many mice.

From experience, physical wheel breakage is rare; more often, dust buildup affects performance or rubber deterioration affects appearance.

While rubber deterioration is unavoidable, dust buildup can be prevented with regular cleaning, so frequent cleaning is important.

Summary: Tilt Wheels are Super Convenient for Excel!

This article explained the basic features, usage, and types of mouse wheels.

Here are the key points again:

The mouse wheel is essential for efficient daily computer work, such as scrolling, zooming, and tab operations.

There are various types of mouse wheels, including notched, smooth, and silent models. Choosing the best one for the work environment and purpose enables even more comfortable operation.

Regular cleaning and maintenance also help keep the mouse wheel working well for a long time.

For those who often view wide Excel sheets, a dedicated tilt wheel for horizontal scrolling is highly recommended.

With just a side movement of the wheel, horizontal scrolling becomes much easier, making it simple to view and edit entire tables.

This article summarizes the knowledge needed when choosing a mouse.

≫ Related article: How to Choose a Mouse [Features / Compatibility / Tips]

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PC Parts Estimation & Compatibility Check Tool

Automatically checks each component you need when selecting parts for a custom-built PC—perfect for beginners.