Switch vs. Button: What's the Difference?
By Janet White || Updated on May 23, 2024
A switch is a device that opens or closes an electrical circuit, often with two or more positions, whereas a button is a device that temporarily makes or breaks an electrical connection, typically returning to its original position after being pressed.
Key Differences
A switch is a device used to open or close an electrical circuit. It often has two or more stable positions, such as on and off, and stays in the chosen position until manually changed. Switches are common in various applications, such as light switches, which remain in the on or off position until toggled. A button, on the other hand, is a device that temporarily makes or breaks an electrical connection. When pressed, a button activates a circuit and typically returns to its original position when released. Buttons are used in applications where a momentary action is needed, such as doorbells or computer keyboards.
In terms of functionality, a switch maintains its state until it is manually changed. This makes switches suitable for functions where a sustained action is required, such as keeping a light on or off. Buttons, however, are used for momentary actions, making them ideal for operations like starting a machine or sending a signal.
Switches can come in various forms, including toggle, rocker, and rotary switches. Each type serves a specific function but shares the common characteristic of maintaining an electrical circuit's state. Buttons typically have a simple push mechanism, which momentarily activates the circuit they control.
Switches are often larger and more robust, designed to handle higher currents and repeated use over long periods. Buttons are usually smaller, designed for quick, temporary activations, and are often found in user interfaces where quick responses are needed.
Both switches and buttons control electrical circuits, switches maintain a stable state until changed, and buttons provide a temporary connection that resets after use.
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Comparison Chart
Function
Opens or closes a circuit
Temporarily makes or breaks a connection
State
Maintains state until manually changed
Returns to original state after being pressed
Typical Use
Light switches, power switches
Doorbells, computer keyboards
Forms
Toggle, rocker, rotary
Push
Size and Robustness
Larger, designed for high currents
Smaller, designed for quick activations
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Switch and Button Definitions
Switch
Maintains a stable state
The power switch on the computer stays in the on position.
Button
Device for temporary connection
Press the button to ring the doorbell.
Switch
Used for sustained actions
Use the switch to keep the fan running.
Button
Returns to original state
The reset button pops back after being pressed.
Switch
An exchange or a swap, especially one done secretly.
Button
A generally disk-shaped fastener used to join two parts of a garment by fitting through a buttonhole or loop.
Switch
A transference or shift, as of opinion or attention.
Button
Such an object used for decoration.
Switch
A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.
Button
A push-button switch.
Switch
A device consisting of two sections of railroad track and accompanying apparatus used to transfer rolling stock from one track to another.
Button
The blunt tip of a fencing foil.
Switch
A slender flexible rod, stick, or twig, especially one used for whipping.
Button
A fused metal or glass globule.
Switch
The bushy tip of the tail of certain animals
A cow's switch.
Button
In graphical user interface systems, a well-defined area within the interface that is clicked to select a command.
Switch
A thick strand of real or synthetic hair used as part of a coiffure.
Button
In a hypertext database, an icon that when selected allows a user to view a particular associated object.
Switch
A flailing or lashing, as with a slender rod
Gave the ox a switch.
Button
An immature, unexpanded mushroom.
Switch
To exchange
Asked her brother to switch seats with her.
Button
The tip of a rattlesnake's rattle.
Switch
To shift, transfer, or divert
Switched the conversation to a lighter subject.
Button
A usually round flat badge that bears a design or printed information and is typically pinned to a garment
A campaign button.
Switch
To connect, disconnect, or divert (an electric current) by operating a switch.
Button
(Informal) The end of the chin, regarded as the point of impact for a punch.
Switch
To cause (an electric current or appliance) to begin or cease operation
Switched the lights on and off.
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.
Switch
(Informal) To produce as if by operating a control. Often used with on
Switched on the charm.
Button
The person who is in possession of this button.
Switch
To move (rolling stock) from one track to another; shunt.
Button
The position on the gaming table where this button is located.
Switch
To whip with a switch, especially in punishing a child.
Button
To fasten with buttons
Buttoned his shirt.
Buttoned up her raincoat.
Switch
To jerk or swish abruptly or sharply
A cat switching its tail.
Button
To decorate or furnish with buttons.
Switch
To make or undergo a shift or an exchange
The office has switched to shorter summer hours.
Button
(Informal) To close (the lips or mouth)
Button your lip.
Switch
To swish sharply from side to side.
Button
To be or be capable of being fastened with buttons
The blouse buttons up the back.
Switch
A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.
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.
Switch
A change or exchange.
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.
Switch
A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; (set of) points.
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.
Switch
A slender woody plant stem used as a whip; a thin, flexible rod, associated with corporal punishment in the United States.
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.
Switch
(musical instruments) rute.
Button
(botany) A bud.
Switch
(computer science) A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.
Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.
Button
The head of an unexpanded mushroom.
Switch
A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.
Button
(slang) The clitoris.
Switch
A networking device connecting multiple wires, allowing them to communicate simultaneously, when possible. Compare to the less efficient hub device that solely duplicates network packets to each wire.
Button
(curling) The center (bullseye) of the house.
Switch
(telecommunication) A system of specialized relays, computer hardware, or other equipment which allows the interconnection of a calling party's telephone line with any called party's line.
Button
(fencing) The soft circular tip at the end of a foil.
Switch
(genetics) A mechanism within DNA that activates or deactivates a gene.
Button
(poker) A plastic disk used to represent the person in last position in a poker game; also dealer's button.
Switch
(BDSM) One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.
Button
(poker) The player who is last to act after the flop, turn and river, who possesses the button.
Switch
(historical) A separate mass or tress of hair, or of some substance (such as jute) made to resemble hair, formerly worn on the head by women.
Button
(archaic) A person who acts as a decoy.
Switch
(card games) A variant of crazy eights where one card, such as an ace, reverses the direction of play.
Button
A raised pavement marker to further indicate the presence of a pavement-marking painted stripe.
Switch
(transitive) To exchange.
I want to switch this red dress for a green one.
Button
(aviation) The end of a runway.
Switch
(transitive) To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.
Switch the light on.
Button
A methaqualone tablet (used as a recreational drug).
Switch
To whip or hit with a switch.
Button
A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, such as a door.
Switch
(intransitive) To change places, tasks, etc.
I want to switch to a different seat.
Button
A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a crucible, after fusion.
Switch
To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.
Button
A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.
Switch
To swing or whisk.
To switch a cane
Button
A small white blotch on a cat's coat.
Switch
To be swung or whisked.
The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.
Button
A unit of length equal to 12 inch.
Switch
To trim.
Button
(generally with the) The means for initiating a nuclear strike or similar cataclysmic occurrence.
Switch
To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.
To switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another
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.
Switch
(ecclesiastical) To shift to another circuit.
Button
(lutherie) endbutton, part of a violin-family instrument.
Switch
(snowboarding) Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.
Button
Synonym of adjuster.
Switch
Pertaining to skiing backwards.
Button
The least amount of care or interest; a whit or jot.
Switch
A small, flexible twig or rod.
Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with something like a thread; in her other hand she holds a switch.
Button
(television) The punchy or suspenseful line of dialogue that concludes a scene.
Switch
A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another.
Button
(comedy) The final joke at the end of a comedic act (such as a sketch, set, or scene).
Switch
A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.
Button
(slang) A button man; a professional assassin.
Switch
A device for shifting an electric current to another circuit, or for making and breaking a circuit.
Button
The final segment of a rattlesnake's rattle.
Switch
To strike with a switch or small flexible rod; to whip.
Button
A clove of garlic.
Switch
To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.
Button
(zoology) Pedicle; the attachment point for antlers in cervids.
Switch
To trim, as, a hedge.
Button
(transitive) To fasten with a button.
Switch
To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; - generally with off, from, etc.; as, to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another.
Button
(intransitive) To be fastened by a button or buttons.
The coat will not button.
Switch
To shift to another circuit.
Button
(informal) To stop talking.
Switch
To walk with a jerk.
Button
A knob; a small ball; a small, roundish mass.
Switch
Control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
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.
Switch
An event in which one thing is substituted for another;
The replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood
Button
A bud; a germ of a plant.
Switch
Hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure
Button
A piece of wood or metal, usually flat and elongated, turning on a nail or screw, to fasten something, as a door.
Switch
Railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock
Button
A globule of metal remaining on an assay cupel or in a crucible, after fusion.
Switch
A flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment
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.
Switch
A basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other
Button
To dress or clothe.
Switch
The act of changing one thing or position for another;
His switch on abortion cost him the election
Button
To be fastened by a button or buttons; as, the coat will not button.
Switch
Change over, change around, or switch over
Button
A round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
Switch
Exchange or give (something) in exchange for
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
Switch
Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;
Switch to a different brand of beer
She switched psychiatrists
The car changed lanes
Button
Any of various plant parts that resemble buttons
Switch
Make a shift in or exchange of;
First Joe led; then we switched
Button
A female sexual organ homologous to the penis
Switch
Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;
Switch on the light
Throw the lever
Button
Provide with buttons;
Button a shirt
Switch
Flog with or as if with a flexible rod
Button
Fasten with buttons;
Button the dress
Switch
Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
Button
Momentary action device
Push the button to start the machine.
Switch
Device to open or close a circuit
Flip the switch to turn on the lights.
Button
Often found in user interfaces
The elevator button calls the lift to your floor.
Switch
Multiple stable positions
The toggle switch can be set to on or off.
Button
Small and designed for quick activations
The button on the phone ends the call when pressed.
Switch
Common in home and industrial applications
The wall switch controls the overhead light.
FAQs
Do buttons maintain their position after being pressed?
No, buttons typically return to their original position after being pressed.
Where are switches commonly used?
Switches are commonly used in applications requiring a sustained state, like light switches and power switches.
What is the primary function of a switch?
A switch opens or closes an electrical circuit and maintains its state until manually changed.
Where are buttons commonly used?
Buttons are used in applications needing momentary actions, such as doorbells and keyboards.
What is the primary function of a button?
A button temporarily makes or breaks an electrical connection and returns to its original state after being pressed.
Can a switch have multiple positions?
Yes, switches can have multiple stable positions, such as on, off, and sometimes intermediate states.
Are switches larger than buttons?
Generally, switches are larger and designed to handle higher currents, while buttons are smaller and designed for quick activations.
Can switches handle high currents?
Yes, switches are often designed to handle high currents and repeated use.
Are buttons used in user interfaces?
Yes, buttons are frequently found in user interfaces for quick responses, like in phones and remote controls.
What type of actions are buttons suited for?
Buttons are suited for momentary actions that require temporary activation.
Can a switch control multiple devices?
Yes, a switch can control multiple devices depending on its design and configuration.
Can a button control multiple devices?
Typically, a button controls a single action or device, but it can be part of a system controlling multiple devices.
Are buttons used in everyday devices?
Yes, buttons are commonly used in everyday devices like phones, computers, and remote controls.
What is a toggle switch?
A toggle switch is a type of switch that stays in one of its multiple positions, such as on or off, until manually changed.
What is a push button?
A push button is a type of button that temporarily activates a circuit when pressed and returns to its original position when released.
Can switches be automated?
Yes, switches can be automated and controlled remotely in systems like smart homes.
What type of actions are switches suited for?
Switches are suited for sustained actions where a consistent state is needed.
Can buttons be part of a digital interface?
Yes, buttons are integral to digital interfaces, providing user input in devices like smartphones and computers.
Do switches return to their original state automatically?
No, switches maintain their chosen position until manually changed.
Are switches used in industrial settings?
Yes, switches are commonly used in industrial settings for controlling machinery and power systems.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
