Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
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 agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
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
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • 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
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • 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
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • 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
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
Gabe Newell talking to the angel on his shoulder
Hardware Valve's Gabe Newell saw today's consoles coming: "The consoles are using PC graphics hardware now"
GameSir G8 Galileo review image of the controller standing up against its box with red RGB lighting behind it
Gaming Controllers The best mobile controller for gaming 2026
Xbox Series S
Games Xbox has changed its name and backtracked on Game Pass prices, but is it too little too late?
A marketing image for the Dragon's Dogma 2 Edition of the GameSir G7 Pro with a dragon behind it
Gaming Controllers GameSir has randomly launched a special edition of its best gamepad dedicated to a two-year-old RPG
Five different gaming controllers for PC scattered around a desktop surface
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2026
A side by side of the Steam Controller with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K
Gaming Controllers The Steam Controller doesn't appear to be a hit for competitive play, so here are the best alternatives
A collection of TMR gaming controllers
Gaming Controllers I've tested them for you, and these are the 7 best TMR controllers on the shelves right now
Arm holding up OG Xbox Crystal Edition.
Retro Turns out the OG Xbox has a hidden USB port, and it will help add wireless controllers, Wi-Fi, and more to the retro console
Xbox Series X/S logo
Games Xbox CEO introduces new boot-up sound after exec overhaul, but it sounds close to the current one
A side by side image of the Steam Controller next to a screenshot from a Planet Coaster trailer
Gaming Controllers The Steam Controller could help make a city builder-sized dent in my gaming backlog
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Hardware Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
Nintendo Switch 2 playing Donkey Kong Bananza with Pro Controller to the left
Gaming Controllers The best Nintendo Switch 2 controller 2026: Compatible gamepads road tested with Ninty's new handheld
DualSense Edge review image showing the controller next to the original DualSense in Nova Pink
Gaming Controllers The best PS5 controller 2026: Find your Edge
Hand holding Retro Fighters StrikerDC Dreamcast controller next to Valve Steam Controller on screen in backdrop.
Retro The Steam Controller is all the rage, but I've been distracted by a modern Dreamcast controller that's more like Valve's original pad
Xbox Elite Series 2 controller
Gaming Controllers The best Xbox Series X controller in 2026
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.

Article continues below
You may like
  • Xbox Elite Series 2 controller The best Xbox Series X controller in 2026
  • Close up on swappable buttons on EasySMX M20 face buttons This mobile controller has fixed a 24 year gripe in one simple solution
  • A hero image for the GameSir Cyclone 4 GameSir teases a controller with four back buttons and up to 40kgs of adjustable stick tension

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.

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
 
 
Close up on swappable buttons on EasySMX M20 face buttons
Gaming Controllers This mobile controller has fixed a 24 year gripe in one simple solution
 
 
A hero image for the GameSir Cyclone 4
Gaming Controllers GameSir teases a controller with four back buttons and up to 40kgs of adjustable stick tension
 
 
Hand holding Retro Fighters StrikerDC Dreamcast controller next to Valve Steam Controller on screen in backdrop.
Retro The Steam Controller is all the rage, but I've been distracted by a modern Dreamcast controller that's more like Valve's original pad
 
 
Five different gaming controllers for PC scattered around a desktop surface
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2026
 
 
Hands holding modded black 8Bitdo N64 controller with colorful buttons.
Retro I need every 8Bitdo N64 controller owner to know there's now classic colorful buttons for $4
 
 
Latest in Sports Games
A footballer yells in promotional art for Locked 2.
Sports Games All Locked 2 codes (May 2026) for free Yen
 
 
Blue-skinned character wearing backwards hat is protected by illuminous orb while smirking and raising up weapon with one hand
Sports Games PvP indie golf game with 93% "very positive" reviews hits 1 million copies sold on Steam in just over a month
 
 
WWE 2K26
WWE 2K The best WWE 2K26 CAWs you have to download right now
 
 
WWE 2K26
WWE 2K WWE 2K26 MyRise walkthrough and chapter rewards guide
 
 
MLB The Show 26
Sports Games MLB The Show 26 codes (May 2026) and how to redeem them for free packs
 
 
Chelsea green raises a belt as she enters the ring in WWE 2K26
WWE 2K WWE 2K26 replaces traditional DLC with battle passes, and fans are already worn out with the grind
 
 
Latest in News
Fox McCloud in the new Star Fox game for Nintendo Switch 2
Action Games Star Fox 64 remake revealed for Switch 2 in surprise Nintendo Direct
 
 
Old School RuneScape men in pink skirts dancing
MMO Games Old School RuneScape is so old devs have to do "a bunch of work to stop the game exploding soon"
 
 
Elizabeth cries in BioShock Infinite
Bioshock BioShock 4 delay "disappointed" Take-Two CEO, who thinks the studio "wasted a lot of time"
 
 
Photo by Rosalie Newcombe of the Nintendo Switch 2 sitting on a coffee table surrounded by accessories.
Hardware Nintendo reportedly pressured to raise Switch 2 price as $450 console is sold at a loss
 
 
Lewis Tan as Cole Young in Mortal Kombat 2
Action Movies Mortal Kombat 2 is one of the highest-rated video game movies of all time on Rotten Tomatoes
 
 
Slay the Spire 2 hero Silent in green robe
Roguelike Games Steam stats for Slay the Spire 2's engine Godot show "strong signs of exponential growth"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Fox McCloud in the new Star Fox game for Nintendo Switch 2
    1
    Star Fox 64 remake revealed for Switch 2 in surprise Nintendo Direct
  2. 2
    I recruited Gothic 1 Remake's most notorious NPC and a pair of molerats for 4 hours of RPG chaos
  3. 3
    BioShock 4 delay "disappointed" Take-Two CEO, who thinks the studio "wasted a lot of time"
  4. 4
    Old School RuneScape is so old devs have to do "a bunch of work to stop the game exploding soon"
  5. 5
    Mortal Kombat 2 is one of the highest-rated video game movies of all time on Rotten Tomatoes

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
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

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

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...