# Custom HID Devices in CircuitPython

## Overview

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/104/937/medium800/gaming_IMG_2214.jpg?1633036205)

## What is HID?

**HID** stands for "Human Interface Device". Keyboards, mice, digitizer tablets, joysticks, and game controllers are all HID devices. CircuitPython can emulate three standard HID devices by default: mouse, keyboard and consumer control. These are described in more detail in [CircuitPython Essentials Guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-essentials/circuitpython-hid-keyboard-and-mouse) and the [Customizing USB Devices Guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/customizing-usb-devices-in-circuitpython/hid-devices#standard-hid-devices-3096602-2).

All operating systems (e.g., Windows, macOS, or Linux) have built-in support for certain standard devices like keyboards and mice. But they vary about whether they support other less common devices. Often you need to install a driver to support a particular HID device, such as a specific game controller or a tablet.

## Custom HID Devices

There are so many kinds of devices you might want to implement in CircuitPython, it cannot provide built-in support for them all. So CircuitPython lets you define and implement your own custom HID devices . With the right device definition and built-in OS support or a compatible driver, you can implement an existing HID device, or define your own custom variation.

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/custom-hid-devices-in-circuitpython/report-descriptors.md)

## Featured Products

### Adafruit MacroPad RP2040 Starter Kit - 3x4 Keys + Encoder + OLED

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## Related Guides

- [Adafruit Rotary Trinkey](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-rotary-trinkey.md)
- [Adafruit MacroPad RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-macropad-rp2040.md)
- [MacroPad 2FA TOTP Authentication Friend](https://learn.adafruit.com/macropad-2fa-totp-authentication-friend.md)
- [MacroPad Remote Procedure Calls over USB to Control Home Assistant](https://learn.adafruit.com/macropad-remote-procedure-calls-over-usb-to-control-home-assistant.md)
- [Dragon Drop: a CircuitPython Game for MacroPad](https://learn.adafruit.com/dragon-drop-a-circuitpython-game-for-macropad.md)
- [AdaBox 019](https://learn.adafruit.com/adabox019.md)
- [Minecraft Turbopad](https://learn.adafruit.com/minecraft-turbopad.md)
- [Ableton Live MacroPad Launcher](https://learn.adafruit.com/ableton-live-macropad-launcher.md)
- [Raspberry Pi Rotary Encoder Animated Gif Player](https://learn.adafruit.com/python-rotary-animated-gif-player-two-different-ways.md)
- [MacroPad Braille Keycaps](https://learn.adafruit.com/macropad-braille-keycaps.md)
- [An Introduction to RP2040 PIO with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/intro-to-rp2040-pio-with-circuitpython.md)
- [MACROPAD Hotkeys](https://learn.adafruit.com/macropad-hotkeys.md)
- [MacroPad Summer Olympics Hotkeys](https://learn.adafruit.com/macropad-olympic-hotkeys.md)
- [3D Printed Stand for MacroPad RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-stand-for-macropad-rp2040.md)
- [Scrambled Number Security Keypad](https://learn.adafruit.com/scrambled-number-security-keypad.md)