English UsageGrammar guide
Plural of Mouse
The ordinary plural of the animal “mouse” is “mice.” Cambridge also records “mouses” or “mice” for the computer-device sense, so the technical plural can vary.
Use “mice” for animals; computer-device usage can also allow “mouses.”
Key details
Confusion Familyirregular plural with technical variation
Rule Familyplural and countability
Termsmouse, mice, mouses
Variant ScopeAnimal “mouse” has irregular plural “mice”; computing usage can also use “mouses” for devices.
Further guidance
Core difference
For the animal, the standard plural is “mice.” For computer pointing devices, “mice” is common and “mouses” is also attested in technical/business usage.
Fast Test
Use “mice” for animals. For computer hardware, follow the terminology used by your audience or product documentation.
Usage Boundary
Do not generalize the technical “mouses” variant to the animal sense.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Mouse — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct plural evidence: animal “mouse” has plural “mice,” while computing usage can also attest “mouses.”