# bezel

> perforated panel that surrounds the faces of user-facing components of a device (e.g. computer case or mobile device)

**Wikidata**: [Q95953166](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q95953166)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bezel

## Summary
A bezel is a perforated panel that surrounds the faces of user-facing components on devices such as computer cases, monitors, and mobile devices. It serves as a covering or surface that frames essential elements like screens, buttons, and ports, acting as a structural housing for various electronic appliances.

## Key Facts
- Classified as a type of computer hardware and a subclass of covering, surface, and housing.
- Commonly used in the construction of computer cases, monitors, and smartphones.
- Often manufactured using plastic materials.
- Functions as a frame for user-facing components, including screens, chiclet keyboard keys, and LEDs.
- Also known by aliases such as faceplate, front bezel, screen bezel, and case bezel.
- In computer cases, it often serves as the front panel housing embedded buttons, LEDs, and ports.
- It is considered a part of the physical enclosure or housing of an appliance.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of a bezel?
A: A bezel acts as a perforated panel or covering that surrounds and frames the user-facing components of a device. It is used to secure and organize elements like screens, buttons, and ports on hardware such as smartphones and computer monitors.

### Q: What materials are bezels typically made from?
A: Bezels are frequently constructed from plastic. They serve as a structural housing or surface for various electronic appliances and computer hardware components.

### Q: Where can bezels be found on a computer system?
A: Bezels are found on computer monitors surrounding the screen and buttons, on computer cases framing front-panel ports and LEDs, and even between the individual keys of a chiclet keyboard.

## Why It Matters
The bezel is a fundamental component of device design and computer hardware, serving as the physical interface between internal components and the user. By acting as a housing or covering, it provides a structured surface for essential user-facing elements. In smartphones and monitors, it frames the display, while in computer cases, it organizes functional parts like power buttons, status LEDs, and input/output ports. Its role as a "faceplate" or "covering" ensures that internal hardware is protected while remaining accessible for interaction. Whether it is the plastic frame around a phone screen or the panel between keyboard keys, the bezel is critical for the ergonomic and structural integrity of modern electronics.

## Notable For
- **Versatility:** Used across diverse hardware including smartphones, monitors, computer cases, and even sewing machines (where it is referred to as a face plate).
- **Functional Integration:** Capable of embedding functional components like LEDs, ports, and push-buttons directly into the device's front panel.
- **Structural Classification:** Defined as a specific subclass of "covering" and "surface" within the broader category of appliance housing.

## Body

### Classification and Composition
Bezels are categorized as computer hardware and are a subclass of coverings and surfaces. They are a primary component of appliance housing, providing a physical boundary for the device. Plastic is the most common material used in their production, though their specific design varies based on the device they are intended to cover.

### Applications in Computing
* **Computer Cases:** Bezels form the front panel of computer cases (such as ATX cases), often containing embedded buttons, LEDs, and ports for user access.
* **Monitors:** They surround the display screen and may house physical push-buttons for user control and adjustments.
* **Keyboards:** In chiclet-style keyboards, the bezel is the visible surface located between the individual keys, providing a clean layout.

### Mobile Device and Appliance Integration
On smartphones, the bezel is the frame located on the front face surrounding the display. It serves as a protective and aesthetic border for the mobile device's user interface. Beyond electronics, the term also applies to other mechanical devices; for example, a face plate is considered a type of bezel used on sewing machines.