# Definition and Mouse Abuse

*Debounce time* is a mechanism implemented in both the physical switches of a mouse and its firmware/software. Its purpose is to prevent a single physical actuation of the mouse button from registering as multiple clicks (often called "double-clicking"). This is necessary because the mechanical components inside a switch can physically "bounce" momentarily upon contact, creating spurious electrical signals. The debounce time introduces a very short delay (a "blanking period") after a click is registered, during which the mouse ignores further signals from that switch.

* **Typical Debounce:** For most standard office or gaming mice, the default debounce time is typically around **8ms, 10ms, or sometimes higher (e.g., 16ms)**. This is usually sufficient to filter out unintentional bounces during normal clicking.
* **Mouse Abuse:** This term refers to the practice of combining mice that have **adjustable or inherently very low debounce times** (often configurable via software to values **significantly below 10ms**, sometimes even 0-4ms) with specific physical clicking techniques (most notably **drag clicking** and certain forms of **butterfly clicking**). These techniques intentionally cause the mouse switch to vibrate rapidly. A standard debounce time would filter these vibrations, but a very low debounce time allows these rapid physical vibrations to be registered by the mouse firmware as multiple distinct clicks in quick succession. This results in **artificially inflated CPS rates** (often 20+ CPS, sometimes much higher) that are physically impossible to achieve through standard clicking methods on mice with normal debounce settings.
