Knob vs. Button — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 29, 2024
A knob is a rounded control that users twist to adjust settings, whereas a button is pressed or clicked to activate or deactivate functions.
Difference Between Knob and Button
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Knobs are designed to be turned or rotated, offering gradual adjustments, such as volume or temperature control. Whereas buttons are typically pressed down to initiate a specific action or sequence, like starting a machine or lighting up an LED.
The user interaction with knobs involves a continuous motion, which allows for precise control over a range of values. On the other hand, buttons offer binary options, usually limited to on/off or start/stop functions.
Knobs are often found on devices where the adjustment of continuous variables is necessary, such as on stoves or stereo systems. Conversely, buttons are ubiquitous in both simple and complex electronics, from remote controls to computer interfaces.
In terms of feedback to the user, knobs can provide a tactile sense of how much adjustment is being made based on the degree of rotation. Buttons, meanwhile, might have visual or auditory feedback like a light turning on or a beep sound, indicating activation.
The design considerations for knobs include the ease of grip and the resistance felt when turning. Buttons, however, are designed with attention to the ease of pressing and the durability to withstand multiple presses.
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Comparison Chart
Type of Control
Rotational
Pressable
User Interaction
Continuous adjustment
Binary interaction
Common Applications
Volume controls, thermostats
Electronic devices, appliances
Feedback Mechanism
Tactile through rotation
Visual or auditory signals
Design Focus
Grip and rotational resistance
Pressing ease and durability
Compare with Definitions
Knob
A rounded control used for making adjustments by turning.
The radio volume can be adjusted by turning the knob.
Button
Activates or deactivates a particular function of a device.
The power button turns the computer monitor on and off.
Knob
Provides variable control over a device's function.
The thermostat knob allows for precise temperature settings.
Button
A small part of a device designed to be pressed for operation.
Press the button to start the coffee machine.
Knob
Can offer a tactile feedback based on resistance and movement.
Adjusting the focus on binoculars with a smooth-turning knob.
Button
Can be mechanical or touch-sensitive.
Modern elevators use touch-sensitive buttons for floor selection.
Knob
Used in applications requiring gradual change.
The dimmer knob on the light switch smoothly adjusts brightness.
Button
Provides immediate action or response.
The emergency button on the alarm system triggers instant alert.
Knob
Often features a circular or dial form.
The oven's temperature is controlled by a rotary knob.
Button
Common in everyday technology and interfaces.
The camera's shutter button captures photos.
Knob
A rounded lump or ball, especially at the end or on the surface of something.
Button
In modern clothing and fashion design, a button is a small fastener, now most commonly made of plastic but also may be made of metal, wood, or seashell, that joins two pieces of fabric together. In archaeology, a button can be a significant artifact.
Knob
A prominent round hill.
Button
A small disc or knob sewn on to a garment, either to fasten it by being pushed through a slit made for the purpose or for decoration.
Knob
A man's penis.
Button
A small device on a piece of electrical or electronic equipment which is pressed to operate it.
Knob
A small flock of wigeon, pochard, or teal (ducks)
Peacocks would have seemed but a knob of wigeons in comparison
Button
A badge bearing a design or slogan and pinned to clothing.
Knob
A rounded protuberance.
Button
Fasten (clothing) with buttons
He buttoned up his jacket
Knob
A rounded handle, as on a drawer or door.
Button
Stop talking.
Knob
A rounded control switch or dial.
Button
A generally disk-shaped fastener used to join two parts of a garment by fitting through a buttonhole or loop.
Knob
A prominent rounded hill or mountain.
Button
Such an object used for decoration.
Knob
A rounded protuberance, especially one arising from a flat surface; a fleshy lump or caruncle.
Button
A push-button switch.
Knob
A rounded control switch that can be turned on its axis, designed to be operated by the fingers.
Button
The blunt tip of a fencing foil.
Knob
A ball-shaped part of a handle, lever, etc., designed to be grabbed by the hand.
Button
A fused metal or glass globule.
Knob
A rounded ornament on the hilt of an edged weapon; a pommel.
Button
In graphical user interface systems, a well-defined area within the interface that is clicked to select a command.
Knob
A prominent, rounded bump along a mountain ridge.
Button
In a hypertext database, an icon that when selected allows a user to view a particular associated object.
Knob
(geography) A prominent rounded hill.
Button
An immature, unexpanded mushroom.
Knob
A woman's breast.
Button
The tip of a rattlesnake's rattle.
Knob
The penis; dick.
Button
A usually round flat badge that bears a design or printed information and is typically pinned to a garment
A campaign button.
Knob
The head of the penis; the glans.
Button
(Informal) The end of the chin, regarded as the point of impact for a punch.
Knob
A contemptible person; dick.
Button
In card games, especially poker, a plastic disk or similar marker placed in front of the person who is designated as dealer for a particular hand. At the start of each hand, the first card is dealt to the left of the button and the dealing of cards continues clockwise around the table.
Knob
The clitoris.
Button
The person who is in possession of this button.
Knob
(cooking) A dollop, an amount just larger than a spoonful (usually referring to butter).
Button
The position on the gaming table where this button is located.
Knob
A chunky branch-like piece, especially of a ginger rhizome.
Button
To fasten with buttons
Buttoned his shirt.
Buttoned up her raincoat.
Knob
A bulb of the garlic plant consisting of multiple cloves.
Button
To decorate or furnish with buttons.
Knob
A freshman at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.
Button
(Informal) To close (the lips or mouth)
Button your lip.
Knob
A hard protuberance; a hard swelling or rising; a bunch; a lump; as, a knob in the flesh, or on a bone.
Button
To be or be capable of being fastened with buttons
The blouse buttons up the back.
Knob
A knoblike ornament or handle; as, the knob of a lock, door, or drawer.
Button
A knob or disc that is passed through a loop or (buttonhole), serving as a fastener.
April fastened the buttons of her overcoat to keep out the wind.
Knob
A rounded hill or mountain; as, the Pilot Knob.
Button
A mechanical device meant to be pressed with a finger in order to open or close an electric circuit or to activate a mechanism.
Pat pushed the button marked "shred" on the blender.
Knob
See Knop.
Button
(graphical user interface) An on-screen control that can be selected as an activator of an attached function.
Click the button that looks like a house to return to your browser's home page.
Knob
To grow into knobs or bunches; to become knobbed.
Button
(US) A badge worn on clothes, fixed with a pin through the fabric.
The politician wore a bright yellow button with the slogan "Vote Smart" emblazoned on it.
Knob
A circular rounded projection or protuberance
Button
(botany) A bud.
Knob
A round handle
Button
The head of an unexpanded mushroom.
Knob
Any thickened enlargement
Button
(slang) The clitoris.
Knob
An ornament in the shape of a ball on the hilt of a sword or dagger
Button
(curling) The center (bullseye) of the house.
Button
(fencing) The soft circular tip at the end of a foil.
Button
(poker) A plastic disk used to represent the person in last position in a poker game; also dealer's button.
Button
(poker) The player who is last to act after the flop, turn and river, who possesses the button.
Button
(archaic) A person who acts as a decoy.
Button
A raised pavement marker to further indicate the presence of a pavement-marking painted stripe.
Button
(aviation) The end of a runway.
Button
A methaqualone tablet (used as a recreational drug).
Button
A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, such as a door.
Button
A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a crucible, after fusion.
Button
A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.
Button
A small white blotch on a cat's coat.
Button
A unit of length equal to 12 inch.
Button
(generally with the) The means for initiating a nuclear strike or similar cataclysmic occurrence.
Button
(lutherie) In an instrument of the violin family, the near-semicircular shape extending from the top of the back plate of the instrument, meeting the heel of the neck.
Button
(lutherie) endbutton, part of a violin-family instrument.
Button
Synonym of adjuster.
Button
The least amount of care or interest; a whit or jot.
Button
(television) The punchy or suspenseful line of dialogue that concludes a scene.
Button
(comedy) The final joke at the end of a comedic act (such as a sketch, set, or scene).
Button
(slang) A button man; a professional assassin.
Button
The final segment of a rattlesnake's rattle.
Button
A clove of garlic.
Button
(zoology) Pedicle; the attachment point for antlers in cervids.
Button
(transitive) To fasten with a button.
Button
(intransitive) To be fastened by a button or buttons.
The coat will not button.
Button
(informal) To stop talking.
Button
A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.
Button
A catch, of various forms and materials, used to fasten together the different parts of dress, by being attached to one part, and passing through a slit, called a buttonhole, in the other; - used also for ornament.
Button
A bud; a germ of a plant.
Button
A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, as a door.
Button
A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a crucible, after fusion.
Button
To fasten with a button or buttons; to inclose or make secure with buttons; - often followed by up.
He was a tall, fat, long-bodied man, buttoned up to the throat in a tight green coat.
Button
To dress or clothe.
Button
To be fastened by a button or buttons; as, the coat will not button.
Button
A round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
Button
An electrical switch operated by pressing a button;
The elevator was operated by push buttons
The push beside the bed operated a buzzer at the desk
Button
Any of various plant parts that resemble buttons
Button
Provide with buttons;
Button a shirt
Button
Fasten with buttons;
Button the dress
Common Curiosities
How does a knob differ from a button in terms of use?
Knobs allow for continuous adjustments, while buttons typically offer on/off or discrete actions.
What is a button?
A component that is pressed to activate or toggle a device's function.
What are the design considerations for buttons?
Emphasis is placed on the ease of pressing and durability.
What is a knob?
A control feature designed to be rotated for adjusting settings.
Where are buttons commonly used?
On almost all electronic devices for basic operations like turning on or selecting modes.
Where are knobs commonly used?
In devices requiring variable settings, such as radios and thermostats.
Can a knob provide feedback?
Yes, typically through the tactile sensation of turning.
Do buttons provide feedback?
Yes, often through visual or auditory signals.
What are the design considerations for knobs?
They focus on ease of rotation and the ability to grip.
Are buttons more modern than knobs?
Buttons are more common in digital devices, but both have modern applications.
How do users interact with knobs?
By rotating or turning them to adjust settings.
Are knobs better than buttons?
It depends on the required functionality; knobs are better for gradual control, while buttons are effective for binary choices.
How do users interact with buttons?
By pressing them to activate or change device settings.
Are knobs or buttons more user-friendly?
This depends on the application; knobs offer precision, while buttons provide quick action.
Can a device have both knobs and buttons?
Yes, many devices like mixers and ovens feature both for different functions.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
