An auto clicker is a small program that clicks your mouse for you. You tell it where to click, which button to use and how often, and then it keeps going until you stop it. That's the whole idea, and it's why people use one for everything from idle games to repetitive office tasks.
How an auto clicker works
When you click a mouse button, Windows receives a message saying "the left button went down, then up, at this spot". An auto clicker sends the same kind of message by itself, on a timer. To the program or game receiving it, the click looks like it came from your mouse.
Most auto clickers let you choose a few things:
- Where to click. Either wherever your mouse pointer is, or a fixed spot on the screen.
- Which button. Left, right or middle, and sometimes a double click.
- How often. The time between clicks, from many times a second to once an hour.
- When to stop. After a set time, after a number of clicks, or when you press a hotkey.
What people use them for
- Idle and clicker games. Games where progress comes from clicking, such as cookie-style clickers, are the classic use. A clicker takes over the tapping so you can play at a gentler pace.
- Repetitive work. Clicking through the same screens in a form, a spreadsheet tool or a test setup, over and over.
- Accessibility. Holding down or repeating clicks can be tiring or painful. Letting software do the repeating helps people with sore hands, RSI or limited movement.
- Testing. Developers click the same button hundreds of times to check an app doesn't break.
Auto clicker, key presser and screen trigger
An auto clicker is the simplest kind of automation tool. Two close relatives are worth knowing about:
- A key presser does the same for the keyboard: it taps a key on a timer. Read more in what a key presser is.
- A screen trigger watches the screen and acts when a picture appears, such as a "Play" button. It's explained in how screen triggers work.
OtterTap includes all three in one small window, with a separate set of settings for each game you play. You can see what's included on the features page.
Are auto clickers allowed?
The tool itself is perfectly legal, but that doesn't mean every game or website allows you to use one. Many online games forbid automation in their rules, and breaking the rules can get an account suspended or banned. It's your job to check before you use one. We explain how in will an auto clicker get you banned?.
What to look for in an auto clicker
- A trustworthy download. Fake copies of popular tools are common. Download only from the maker's own website. Our safety checklist shows what to check.
- A way to stop it instantly. A hotkey that always works, even when another program has focus.
- Limits. Stop after a number of clicks or minutes, so a forgotten clicker can't run all night.
- Natural timing. Small random changes in timing make clicks behave more like a person's. We cover this in random click intervals explained.
Getting started
If you want to try one, OtterTap is free for Windows and the getting-started guide takes a few minutes. Pick a harmless place to practise first, like a clicker game or an empty text box, and set a low click limit while you get the feel of it.