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Adjust Mouse and Touchpad Speed in Ubuntu Linux

Richard
Written by
Richard
Sep 10, 2022 Updated Mar 19, 2026 2 min read
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You adjust mouse and touchpad speed in Ubuntu Linux through the Settings application to control cursor movement.

This setting allows you to fine-tune how quickly your pointer travels across the screen, directly impacting your overall user experience. It’s especially useful for optimizing interactions within desktop environments like GNOME, the default for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

If you find your cursor moves too fast or too slow, you can easily modify the pointer speed settings. This ensures your on-screen cursor movement accurately mirrors your physical input.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Settings, then click Mouse & Touchpad. Use the Mouse Speed or Touchpad Speed slider to adjust how quickly your cursor moves across the screen until it feels comfortable.

How to adjust mouse and touchpad speed in Ubuntu Linux

As described above, if your pointer moves too fast or slow when you move your mouse or use your touchpad, you can adjust the pointer speed for these devices.

Here’s how to adjust the mouse and touchpad speed settings in Ubuntu Linux:

Ubuntu Linux keeps most of its settings in one central place. From system configurations to creating new users and updating, you can do it all from the System Settings panel.

Ubuntu Linux activities overview screen
ubuntu linux activities overview

Alternatively, click on the System menu at the top-right corner of your desktop’s top bar.

On the System menu, select Settings, as shown here.

Ubuntu Linux system menu showing settings option
ubuntu linux system menu top bar settings

Click the Mouse & Touchpad tile in the Settings app to open its panel.

Mouse and Touchpad settings tile in Ubuntu
ubuntu linux mouse and touchpad tile

In the ‘System Settings -> Mouse & Touchpad’ panel, look under ‘Mouse’. Adjust the ‘Mouse Speed’ or ‘Touchpad Speed’ slider until the pointer motion feels comfortable for you.

Mouse and Touchpad speed settings in Ubuntu Linux
ubuntu linux mouse and touchpad settings

Keep in mind that settings that work well for one device might not be ideal for another.

That should do it! You can now close the Settings app.

Conclusion:

  • Adjusting the mouse and touchpad speed in Ubuntu Linux is crucial for a comfortable user experience.
  • Ubuntu Linux provides a centralized location in the System Settings panel for adjusting these speed settings.
  • Following the outlined steps, users can easily customize the pointer speed for their mouse and touchpad devices.
  • Finding the optimal settings for mouse and touchpad devices can significantly enhance productivity and user comfort.

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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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