Should a Left-Handed Person Use a Mouse With Their Left or Right Hand?
Asked by
MellowPine42
I recently got an Apple Magic Mouse for college and realized I'm not sure which hand I'm supposed to use with it. I'm left-handed, but I've always kept the mouse on the right side of the keyboard, so using it with my left hand feels strangely wrong. Now that I can arrange my desk however I want, should I move the mouse to the left, keep using my right hand, or change the button settings? I'm genuinely puzzled about what other left-handed people do.
Answers
You can also switch between hands to reduce fatigue. Some people use a trackpad, trackball, or a dedicated left-handed mouse instead. The best choice is simply the setup that feels comfortable and lets you work efficiently.
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Using a mouse with the opposite hand is surprisingly easy to learn. I had to do it after injuring my dominant hand, and after about an hour it already felt much less awkward. Give your left hand a little practice before deciding it feels wrong.
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Many mice are symmetrical, including the Magic Mouse, so they work on either side. In your computer’s Mouse settings, you can swap the primary and secondary buttons if that makes left-handed use feel more natural. Some mice are shaped specifically for the right hand, though, so those can be less comfortable on the left.
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There’s no required hand, and no mouse police are coming after you. Put it wherever it feels most comfortable. Most people simply adapt to whichever side their mouse is on.
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I’m right-handed and have used a mouse with my left hand for decades, especially when I need my right hand on the number pad or keyboard. It took roughly a couple of weeks to feel normal. You don’t necessarily have to swap the buttons either—you can learn to click with the fingers that feel natural.
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