In computing, an input device is a peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer or information appliance. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouse, scanners, digital cameras and joysticks.

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Many input devices can be classified according to:

Pointing devices, which are input devices used to specify a position in space, can further be classified according to:

Direct input is almost necessarily absolute, but indirect input may be either absolute or relative] For example, digitizing graphics tablets that do not have an embedded screen involve indirect input and sense absolute positions and are often run in an absolute input mode, but they may also be set up to simulate a relative input mode like that of a touch-pad, where the stylus or puck can be lifted and re-positioned.