Input and Output Devices Explained in Simple Words

Published: 2 Sep 2025

Have you ever clicked a mouse or pressed a key on your keyboard? Then you’ve already used an input device! And when you see a picture on the screen or hear sound from speakers, that’s an output device.

Computers can’t work without both. Input devices help us give instructions to the computer. Output devices show us the results. Many people use these every day without knowing what they’re called.

In this article, we’ll learn about the input and output devices of a computer.

Table of Content

Input and Output Devices of a Computer
Why Are These Devices Important?
Types of Input Devices
Real-Life Uses of Input Devices
Types of Output Devices
Real-Life Uses of Output Devices
Devices That Work as Both Input and Output
Summary of Key Points
Conclusion
FAQs

Input and Output Devices of a Computer

Input and output devices are parts that help us use the computer easily.

Input devices are used to give data to the computer, and output devices are used to see or hear the result from the computer.

Input Devices

Here are some input devices.

Keyboard: to type letters and numbers.
Mouse: to click and move things.
Microphone: to record your voice.
Scanner: to scan pictures or papers.
Webcam: to take photos or videos.

Output Devices

Here are some output devices.

Monitor: to see text and pictures.
Printer: to get a paper copy.
Speakers: to hear sound.
Headphones: to listen quietly.

Devices that do both

Here are devices that both work.

Touchscreen: you touch (input) and see (output).
Headset: speak and listen.
All-in-one printer: scan and print.

Why Are These Devices Important?

Input and output devices are important because they help us talk to the computer and get results from it. Without input devices, we cannot give work to the computer.

Without output devices, we cannot see or hear what the computer has done.

Input devices help us give commands.
Output devices help us see or hear the result.
They make the computer easy and useful for everyone.
Without them, a computer cannot work properly.

Types of Input Devices

Input devices help us send data or commands to the computer. They allow us to tell the computer what to do in a fast and easy way. These devices take our actions, like typing or clicking, and turn them into signals the computer can understand.

Below are some common types.

Keyboard is used to type letters, numbers, and words into the computer.
Mouse helps you click, drag, and move items on the screen.
Microphone lets you speak or record sound into the computer.
Scanner copies papers or images and sends them into the computer.
Webcam takes pictures or records videos for the computer.
Touchscreen gives you commands by touching the screen.

Real-Life Uses of Input Devices

Input devices are a part of our daily lives. We use them not just on computers but also on phones, machines, and in many places like schools, offices, shops, and homes. These devices help us give commands to machines in an easy and fast way. Here are some real-life uses of common input devices:

Keyboard: Used by students to write assignments and by office workers to type emails or reports.
Mouse: Used by gamers to play games and by designers to draw or edit pictures.
Microphone: Used in online classes or video calls to talk clearly with others.
Scanner: Used in schools, offices, and shops to scan documents, ID cards, or barcodes.
Webcam: Used for video chatting with family, friends, or in virtual meetings.
Touchscreen: Used in smartphones, ATMs, and self-service machines at malls or restaurants.

Types of Output Devices

Output devices show us the result of the computer’s work. They help us see, hear, or feel what the computer is doing. These devices make it easy to understand the information given by the computer.

Monitor: Shows text, pictures, and videos on the screen.
Printer: Prints your work, photos, or documents on paper.
Speakers: Play music, sound, or voices loudly.
Headphones: Let you listen to sound quietly, without disturbing others.
Projector: Shows the computer screen on a wall or big screen for many people to see.

Real-Life Uses of Output Devices

Output devices are used in many places in real life. They help us see or hear the results of the computer’s work. We use them in homes, schools, offices, shops, and even hospitals.

Below are some real-life uses of common output devices.

Monitor: Used in homes and offices to watch videos, read documents, or play games.
Printer: Used in schools, banks, and offices to print homework, bills, reports, or tickets.
Speakers: Used in events, music systems, and classrooms to play sound for many people.
Headphones: Used by students, gamers, and workers to listen to music privately.
Projector: Used in meetings, classrooms, and cinemas to show things on a big screen.

Devices That Work as Both Input and Output

Some devices can do both jobs; they can send data to the computer and also receive data from it. These are called input and output devices. They help us save time and space because they do two tasks in one.

Touchscreen: You touch to give commands (input), and the screen shows results (output).
External Hard Drives: You can store files (output) and also copy files into the computer (input).
Fax Machine: It scans documents to send (input) and prints received documents (output).

Summary of Key Points

Input and output devices are very important parts of a computer system. Input devices help us send data or commands to the computer, while output devices show us the results after the computer processes the data.

Input Devices

Here are some key points of input devices.

Keyboard: Used to type letters, numbers, and symbols.
Mouse: Used to click, drag, and move things on the screen.
Scanner: Used to copy pictures or documents into the computer.
Microphone: Used to send voice or sound to the computer.
Webcam: Used to send live video or pictures to the computer.

Output Devices

Here are some key points of input devices.

Monitor: Displays text, pictures, and videos.
Printer: Prints documents and images on paper.
Speakers: Play music or sound from the computer.
Projector: Shows the computer screen on a large surface.
Headphones: Let one person hear sound privately.

Main Difference

Here is the main difference between input and output devices.

Input devices send data into the computer.
Output devices give the result from the computer.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve learned about input and output devices. Input and output devices help us talk to the computer and get results from it. Input devices like the keyboard and mouse send information to the computer.

Output devices like the monitor and printer show or give us the result. Both types work together to make the computer useful in our daily lives. When we understand them, we can use computers better and faster.

Now that you know the basics, keep exploring how input and output devices work in your daily tech life!

FAQs

Have questions about input and output devices? Find your answers below!

Can a device be both input and output?

Yes, a device can be both input and output. Such devices can send data to the computer and also receive data from it. Examples include a touchscreen, a headset with a mic, and a printer with a scanner.

Why are input and output devices important?

Input and output devices are important because they help us communicate with the computer. Input devices let us give commands and data, while output devices show us the results. Without them, we cannot use or understand what the computer is doing.

What is the use of a scanner in a computer?

A scanner is used to copy pictures, documents, or text and send them to the computer. It changes paper files into digital form. This helps in saving, editing, or sharing the scanned content easily.

How does a printer work as an output device?

A printer works as an output device by taking information from the computer and printing it on paper. It shows the result in a physical form, like text or images. This lets us keep a hard copy of digital work.

Can I use a mobile phone as an input device?

Yes, you can use a mobile phone as an input device in some cases. For example, it can work as a remote control, keyboard, or mouse for a computer. Apps and Bluetooth help connect the phone to send commands or data.

What device is used to hear music from the computer?

Speakers or headphones are used to hear music from the computer. They are output devices that play sound. You can use them to listen to songs, videos, or any audio. These devices make it easy to enjoy sound clearly and loudly.

Why should we learn about input and output devices?

We should learn about input and output devices because they help us understand how to use a computer properly. They show how data goes in and results come out. This knowledge makes using technology easier and more effective.

How do input devices help us?

Input devices help us by allowing us to send data and instructions to the computer. They let us type, click, speak, or scan information into the system. This helps the computer understand what we want it to do.

Can I use more than one input device at the same time?

Yes, you can use more than one input device at the same time. For example, you can type with a keyboard while moving the mouse. Using multiple input devices together makes working on a computer faster and easier.

Are all input and output devices outside the computer?

No, not all input and output devices are outside the computer. Some are built inside, like a built-in keyboard, touchpad, speakers, or microphone in a laptop. These internal devices work the same way as external ones.