Xbox controller tactile guide
This page describes the physical and tactile features of the official controllers for the Xbox.
Xbox Controller (Duke)
The Xbox Controller, commonly known as the Duke, is a large traditional two-handed gamepad.
Left grip
The left thumb rests on the left thumbstick, while the left index finger rests on the left trigger.
The left trigger is a large, curved, pressure-sensitive button that follows the contour of the left grip.
The left thumbstick has a circular depression where the thumb can rest. Four groups of small slits extend outward from the depression, with one group in each direction. Pressing the thumbstick downward activates the left thumbstick button.
The D-pad is below and slightly to the right of the left thumbstick.
The D-pad is a broad circular control rather than a cross-shaped D-pad. Its surface is warped upward at the top, bottom, left, and right to form the four directional areas. Between these raised areas are recessed grooves that separate the directions and allow the thumb to move between them for diagonal input.
Right grip
The right thumb rests on the A button, while the right index finger rests on the right trigger.
The right trigger is a large, curved, pressure-sensitive button that follows the contour of the right grip.
The right thumbstick has a smaller circular depression where the thumb can rest. Four groups of slightly longer slits extend outward from the depression, with one group in each direction. The slits touch the edge of the circular depression. Pressing the thumbstick downward activates the right thumbstick button.
The four action buttons are arranged in a curved, angled cluster rather than a conventional diamond. The A, B, X, and Y buttons are angled inward toward the center of the controller and follow the curvature of the right grip. They are shaped like rounded, elongated ovals with angled surfaces.
B is above A.
X is to the left and slightly above A, while Y is to the left and slightly above B.
The Black button is above and slightly to the right of B, while the White button is above and slightly to the right of Y. The Black and White buttons are smaller than the four action buttons.
Center
The center of the controller contains a large raised plastic bubble. Behind the bubble are the Xbox text and Xbox logo markings. The markings are enclosed within the bubble and are not tactile; they cannot be felt.
Below the bubble are the Start and Back buttons.
The buttons are horizontally oriented and oval-shaped.
"BACK" is marked above the Back button, while "START" is marked above the Start button. Both markings are tactile and can be felt.
Below the buttons is the "Microsoft" logo marking. It is horizontally oriented, tactile, and can be felt.
Top edge
The top edge of the controller contains two vertically stacked memory unit slots. A tactile textured area surrounds the memory unit slots.
The memory unit slots are recessed into the controller and are used for connecting Xbox Memory Units and other compatible accessories.
The controller's cable extends from the lowest portion of the top edge, below the memory unit slots.
Xbox Controller S
The Xbox Controller S is a traditional two-handed gamepad with a smaller, more compact design than the original Xbox Controller.
Left grip
The left thumb rests on the left thumbstick, while the left index finger rests on the left trigger.
The left trigger is a smaller, curved, pressure-sensitive button that follows the contour of the left grip.
The left thumbstick has a circular depression where the thumb can rest. It has four small circular bumps around the depression, with one bump at the top, bottom, left, and right.
Pressing the thumbstick downward activates the left thumbstick button.
The D-pad is diagonally down and to the right from the left thumbstick.
The D-pad is a circular control with a flat, cross-shaped directional surface.
The Back and Start buttons are located below the left thumbstick and to the left of the D-pad.
The buttons are small and round, and each button is surrounded by a circular outline.
The Back button is above and to the left of the Start button. It has a tactile left-pointing triangle that can be felt on the button. "BACK" is marked below the button; the marking is tactile and can be felt.
The Start button is below and to the right of the Back button. It has a tactile right-pointing triangle that can be felt on the button. "START" is marked below the button; the marking is tactile and can be felt.
Right grip
The right thumb rests on either the right thumbstick or the A button, while the right index finger rests on the right trigger.
The right trigger is a smaller, curved, pressure-sensitive button that follows the contour of the right grip.
The right thumbstick has a circular depression where the thumb can rest. It has four small circular bumps around the depression, with one bump at the top, bottom, left, and right.
Pressing the thumbstick downward activates the right thumbstick button.
The four action buttons are arranged in a diamond. The buttons are round and have flat, non-angled surfaces.
A tactile circular outline runs through the middle of the four action buttons, surrounding the center of the action-button cluster. The outline is formed by a change in surface texture and can be felt.
B is diagonally up and to the right from A, X is diagonally up and to the left from A, and Y is directly above A.
The Black and White buttons are located below the action buttons.
The two buttons are round and have glossy surfaces.
The Black button is to the right and slightly above the White button.
Center
The center of the controller contains a small round Xbox jewel, replacing the large raised plastic bubble found on the original Xbox Controller.
The jewel contains the Xbox logo and "XBOX" text markings. The markings are not tactile and cannot be felt.
Top edge
The top edge of the controller contains two vertically stacked memory unit slots.
A curved line separates the two memory unit slots. The line is part of the controller's plastic and has the "Microsoft" logo marking horizontally oriented along it. The marking is tactile and can be felt.
The controller's cable extends from the lowest portion of the top edge, below the memory unit slots.