Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Deal of the Day
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • RPG Hub
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Sports Games

Xbox Controller buttons are disconcertingly different in size

News
By Hirun Cryer
Published 7 September 2021

Turns out that B is a lot bigger than you think

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Xbox controller
(Image credit: Microsoft)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

It turns out that Xbox controller buttons are actually very different in size to one another.

Just yesterday on September 6, the post on the Reddit gaming subreddit forum took off, with well over 20,000 upvotes a day later. The post itself shows the different sizes of the Xbox buttons, as they reach further down into the controller itself than one might initially think.

In the comments, people have attempted to explain why this is actually the case. It turns out that every Xbox controller, whether it be for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, or Xbox Series S, all have two printed circuit boards, otherwise known as PCBs, housed within them.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

These two PCBs are placed one on top of the other. The contacts for the A, X, and Y buttons on the Xbox controller are positioned over the top PCB, while the B button is positioned over the PCB that's lower down within the controller, hence why it's longer as it has further to reach to the circuit board sitting underneath.

It's also worth remembering why the buttons are all slanted in such a way. The B button is more slanted than the other interfaces because it's closer to the curved edge of the Xbox controller, whereas A, X, and Y are all closer to the middle of the controller, and are therefore on a much flatter surface than the former button.

You may like
  • Xbox Elite Series 2 controller The best Xbox Series X controller in 2026
  • The DualSense sitting next to the Hyperkin Competitor Should the PS6 and next Xbox have back buttons on their controllers? Have your say
  • Xbox Elite Series 2 controller An Elite Series 3 controller wouldn't be a cure-all, but it would be exciting

It's a really neat bit of trivia for Xbox owners, and something that would no doubt have remained hidden had people not taken apart their Xbox controller to either mod or fix them.

However far the buttons go in, here's how to use an Xbox One controller on PC.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Xbox Series X Xbox One Platforms Xbox
PRODUCTS
Xbox One Xbox Series X Xbox Series S
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Xbox Elite Series 2 controller
Gaming Controllers The best Xbox Series X controller in 2026
 
 
The DualSense sitting next to the Hyperkin Competitor
Gaming Controllers Should the PS6 and next Xbox have back buttons on their controllers? Have your say
 
 
Xbox Elite Series 2 controller
Gaming Controllers An Elite Series 3 controller wouldn't be a cure-all, but it would be exciting
 
 
Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox next to its PS5 sibling
Gaming Controllers PC players can get our favorite controller for $50 less than PS5 and Xbox gamers right now
 
 
Gears of War E-Day Xbox controller on a gray background with a red glow effect
Gaming Controllers Microsoft drops new Gears of War E-Day Xbox controller, and I'm just hoping these press shots aren't lying to me
 
 
Five different gaming controllers for PC scattered around a desktop surface
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2026
 
 
Latest in Sports Games
Press shot for Skate Tree codes showing various skateboarders performing a selection of airborne tricks
Sports Games Skate Tree codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them for free Points
 
 
A pink-haired character stands in goal in Goalbound on Roblox.
Sports Games All Goalbound codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them for spins and Yen
 
 
Two players engage in thumb wrestling in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, with enlarged hands
Sports Games Nintendo Switch Sports Resort has sent me into a competitive frenzy
 
 
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams covered in snow in Madden NFL 27
Madden NFL Injury for Madden 27 star Caleb Williams is creating a new generation of Madden curse believers
 
 
Press shot for FC Mobile codes showing Ronaldinho celebrating scoring a goal
EA Sports FC FC Mobile codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them for Player Cards, Draft Vouchers, and more
 
 
NBA 2K27
NBA 2K NBA 2K27 locker codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them for free packs
 
 
Latest in News
RPGs After 8 years, Ultima creator says his MMO Shroud of the Avatar finally has "zero bugs" thanks to AI
 
 
A samurai warrior in a live-action trailer for Total War: Shogun 2
Total War AI-upscaled Total War: Shogun 2 remaster blasted in Steam reviews as the original gets delisted
 
 
A Stardew Valley character
Simulation Games Eric Barone says "no one" is playing Haunted Chocolatier until he's ready
 
 
Old School RuneScape Smite collab
MMO Games One MMO player spent 6,572 hours setting a new world record – about 30% of the last 4 waking years
 
 
A screenshot of Master Chief during one of the best Xbox Series X games, Halo Infinite
Games Xbox is forming a whole division in response to the vibe-coded game recomp explosion
 
 
Destiny 1 early development screenshot showing blue Titan holding an assault rifle
Destiny New Bungie boss casually shares Destiny 1 running on PC at 60 FPS in 4K thanks to fan project
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. "We need fewer people and less time to make it" because of AI, says Richard Garriott
    1
    After 8 years, Ultima creator says his MMO Shroud of the Avatar finally has "zero bugs" thanks to AI
  2. 2
    AI-upscaled Total War: Shogun 2 remaster blasted in Steam reviews as the original gets delisted: "Literally the greed they talk about in the Bible"
  3. 3
    Stardew Valley creator isn't letting anyone play Haunted Chocolatier until it's done, because just like a turkey, you don't want to serve cozy games half-baked
  4. 4
    One MMO player spent 6,572 hours setting a new world record – which is about 30% of the last 4 waking years
  5. 5
    Xbox is forming a whole division in response to the vibe-coded game recomp explosion – "These are unmistakably good outcomes for players"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...