How to butterfly click

Butterfly clicking uses two fingers on one mouse button, taking turns. Each finger only has to press half as often as the button is pressed, so the pair can go faster than one finger alone. The technique is simple to describe and takes some practice to do evenly. This guide covers the setup, the rhythm and a practice plan.

Set up

1. Choose two fingers. Most people use the index and middle finger. Some use the index and ring finger, which leaves the middle finger free for the right button. Use whichever pair feels most even.
2. Place both on the left button. Rest them side by side near the front edge of the button, where it moves most easily. Both fingertips should touch the button at rest.
3. Hold the mouse with the thumb and the remaining fingers. The mouse must not move as you click, so grip its sides firmly while keeping the two clicking fingers loose.
4. Support your wrist. Rest it on the desk. The movement should come from the fingers only.

Some people angle the mouse slightly, or tilt the hand, so both fingers sit squarely on the button. Experiment until neither finger is hanging over the edge.

Build the rhythm

Tap the fingers in turn: index, middle, index, middle, the way you might drum on a table while waiting. Start slowly. The goal at first is not speed but even spacing, so that the gap between any two clicks is the same.

Even spacing comes first. Speed follows once both fingers land the same way.

Uneven spacing is the most common problem, and it costs more than it seems. If both fingers land almost together, the mouse may read them as a single press, or its debounce may swallow the second. If one finger lags, the clicks bunch into pairs with gaps in between. Either way, you lose clicks.

Listen to the button. When the rhythm is even, the clicks sound like a steady buzz. Pairs sound like a gallop.

Check it on the pad

Take a 10-second run below and look at the trace after it. A smooth, level line means your rhythm held. A wobbly line, or one that drops in the second half, shows where it slipped. Your butterfly bests are kept separately from your normal-click scores.

A practice plan

Butterfly clicking is a coordination skill, so short, frequent sessions work better than long ones. A plan to start with:

1. First few days: slow, even tapping on the desk, then on the mouse, for a minute or two at a time. No timer. Listen for the steady buzz.
2. Then: 10-second runs on the pad, three to five a session. Aim for a level trace rather than a high number.
3. Then: push the pace a little at a time, only as far as you can keep the spacing even. If the trace gets ragged, drop back.
4. Later: try 15 and 30 seconds to build stamina, and compare against your normal clicking on the Kohi click test page, which shows your technique bests side by side.

Change one thing at a time, such as finger pair, grip or mouse angle, and keep it only if your best improves over several sessions.

Common problems

• The score barely beats normal clicking: the fingers are probably landing too close together and merging. Slow down and spread the strikes out evenly.
• One finger tires first: the weaker finger is pressing harder to keep up. Lighten both fingers and let the button do more of the return.
• The mouse slides: the holding fingers are too loose. Grip the sides more firmly, or use a mouse pad with more grip.
• The pointer jumps: the clicking fingers are pushing the mouse forward. Press straight down rather than toward the front.
• The score hits a ceiling however clean the rhythm: some mice merge presses that arrive close together. Try another mouse, or check its software for a debounce setting.

Wear, health and the rules

Butterfly clicking sends a lot of presses through one switch, so the switch may wear sooner. If the mouse starts double-clicking on its own, the double-click test will show it.

It is gentler on the arm than jitter clicking because there is no held tension, but it is still repetitive. Take breaks and stop if your hand hurts.

Some servers cap clicks per second or ban butterfly clicking. Check the rules where you use it. For more ways to raise your speed, see how to click faster.