# middle mouse button

> center button on some computer mice

**Wikidata**: [Q98073977](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q98073977)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/middle-mouse-button

## Summary
The middle mouse button is the center button found on some computer mice, classified as a subclass of the standard mouse button. It is often integrated directly into the scroll wheel component, allowing the wheel to tilt or depress to act as a third button. This button is also referred to by the aliases MMB, middle-click, and СКМ.

## Key Facts
- **Definition:** Identified as the center button on computer mice.
- **Classification:** A subclass of "mouse button," defined as an electric switch on a computer mouse.
- **Component Relationship:** Often functions as a part of the "scroll wheel," which is the component used to scroll up and down.
- **Aliases:** Known by various names including MMB, middle-click, and the abbreviation СКМ.
- **Hardware Example:** Found on the Logitech POP Mouse, a wireless computer mouse model released in 2021.
- **Visual Identification:** Often depicted as a distinct third button or integrated into a scroll wheel that can be pressed.

## FAQs
### Q: Is the middle mouse button a separate button?
A: Not always. While some mice feature three distinct buttons, the middle mouse button is often integrated into the scroll wheel, allowing the wheel to be pressed downwards to activate the function.

### Q: What are other names for the middle mouse button?
A: It is frequently referred to as "MMB," "middle-click," or by the abbreviation "СКМ."

### Q: How does the middle mouse button relate to the scroll wheel?
A: Structurally, the middle mouse button is often considered a part of or the same component as the scroll wheel, sharing the same physical space on the mouse.

## Why It Matters
The middle mouse button represents a significant expansion of the computer mouse's utility beyond simple pointing and left-right clicking. By serving as a central input mechanism—often integrated directly into the scroll wheel—it allows for additional controls without increasing the physical footprint of the device. This integration highlights an evolution in ergonomic design, combining the tactile function of scrolling with the binary input of a button click. Its inclusion in modern wireless models, such as the 2021 Logitech POP Mouse, demonstrates its enduring relevance in contemporary computer hardware architecture.

## Notable For
- **Integrated Design:** Distinctive for often sharing a physical component with the scroll wheel, serving a dual function as both a scrolling mechanism and a clickable switch.
- **Universal Classification:** Recognized broadly as a standard subclass of "mouse button" within hardware taxonomies.
- **Multilingual Recognition:** Identified by aliases in different scripts, including "СКМ" (Cyrillic).

## Body
### Definition and Classification
The middle mouse button is defined within knowledge structures as the center button on specific computer mice. It falls under the broader classification of "mouse button," which describes an electric switch used to input commands. It holds the specific designation of being a "subclass" of this parent category.

### Relationship to Scroll Wheel
A defining characteristic of the middle mouse button is its physical relationship to the scroll wheel. While the scroll wheel is primarily the component used to scroll up and down, it frequently serves as the housing for the middle mouse button. In this configuration, the user presses the wheel itself to engage the button.

### Hardware Association
The button is a standard feature found across various mouse models. A specific cited example of hardware containing this component is the **Logitech POP Mouse**, a wireless model introduced in 2021. This confirms the feature's presence in modern peripheral devices.

### Identifiers and Aliases
In technical and casual contexts, the entity is recognized by several identifiers. Common aliases include **MMB**, **middle-click**, and **СКМ**. Visual documentation often displays it as a third button situated between the primary left and right buttons, or as a clickable wheel.