Frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most about measuring, grips, scores and privacy.
Before you start
What is Palmate?
Palmate is a free online tool for choosing a gaming mouse by hand size. You measure your hand with a phone and a blank sheet of A4, and every mouse we list is compared with your hand, ranked, and explained, as a reference for buying.
What do I need?
A phone with a camera and one blank sheet of A4. No printing. Put the sheet on a darker table, lay your hand flat on it and hold the phone straight above. It takes about a minute, with no sign-up.
Which mice are included?
408 gaming mice currently on sale, from 23 brands, with specifications from public data and official sites. Vertical mice and trackballs are left out for now.
Measuring
Why a sheet of A4?
A sheet of A4 always has the same size, so it is the ruler in the photo. Once the four corners are found, the photo can be turned into millimetres to get your hand length and palm width. Keep all four corners in view and the sheet flat.
How accurate are the measurements?
Every measurement and ranking is an estimate, for reference only. It is most accurate with your hand flat, fingers together, the phone straight above the sheet and all four corners clearly in view. If a result looks off, scan again and compare.
How do I measure hand length and width?
Hand length: from the crease at your wrist to the tip of your middle finger. Hand width: across the knuckles at the base of your four fingers, the widest part of the palm. Measure the hand you use the mouse with.
Can I type my hand size instead of scanning?
Yes. On the scan screen choose to enter numbers, type your hand length and hand width in centimetres, then pick your grip. Palm length is then estimated from an average ratio.
Grips and scores
What is the difference between palm, claw and fingertip grip?
Palm grip: your whole palm rests on the mouse. Claw grip: your palm touches the back and your fingers arch. Fingertip grip: only your fingertips control the mouse. Your grip changes which shapes and sizes suit you.
Does my grip change the right mouse size?
Yes. Palmate takes a share of your hand length as the ideal mouse length: about 66% for a palm grip, 62% for claw and 58% for fingertip. So the same hand suits a longer mouse in a palm grip than in a fingertip grip. These ratios are provisional and will be tuned from user feedback.
How is the fit score made?
Each mouse is compared with your hand on six parts: length (30%), grip width (25%), height and hump (20%), front width (10%), thumb rest (10%) and weight (5%). The figures are each part's weight; length counts most, and weight only counts when you give a preference.
Privacy and data
Is the photo of my hand uploaded?
No. The photo is analysed in your phone's browser and never uploaded; only the measurements, such as hand length and palm width, reach our server to rank the mice.
Do I need an account? How long is my data kept?
No, scanning and the rankings work without an account. Scans without an account are deleted within 24 hours; sign in with Google to keep your results, and an account unused for 90 days is deleted with all its scans.
Is Palmate affiliated with any mouse brand?
No. Palmate is not affiliated with any brand and names brands and models only to describe the products. Check the maker's information before you buy.