D-pad

The D-pad (short for directional pad) is a compact input method developed for video games, designed to translate thumb movement into directional control through a flat, cross-shaped surface that rests on four internal switches. Each switch corresponds to a cardinal direction (up, down, left, and right), while diagonal inputs engage two switches simultaneously, enabling eight-directional control at 45-degree intervals. Beneath the center, a pivot mechanism tilts the pad, preventing all four switches from being pressed at once and enhancing tactile feedback.

When introduced, the D-pad offered a space-saving, precise input method at a time when bulky joysticks dominated the market. Although analog sticks have largely superseded D-pads as the primary directional input in modern gamepads, the D-pad’s compact, intuitive, and versatile design has led to its adoption in a wide range of devices, including remote controls, calculators, PDAs, mobile phones, and car stereos.