A dance pad, also known as a dance mat or dance platform, is a flat electronic game controller used for input in dance games. Most dance pads are divided into a 3×3 matrix of square panels for the player to stand on, with some or all of the panels corresponding to directions or actions within the game. Some dance pads also have extra buttons outside of the main stepping area, such as "Start" and "Select".

Pairs of dance pads are often joined side-by-side for certain gameplay modes. Popular arcade games such as Dance Dance Revolution, In the Groove, and Pump It Up use large steel dance platforms connected to the arcade cabinet, whereas console versions usually use soft plastic pads. These home pads are specifically made for systems such as the GameCube, Wii, Dreamcast (Japan only), PlayStation, Playstation 2 and Xbox, but can also be used in computer simulators such as StepMania through the use of special adapters.

"Soft" pads are thin and made of plastic. They generally cost $10-$20 USD. They are good for beginners to dance games or casual use, but they have a tendency to move around and wrinkle up during gameplay (unless "modded", such as by gluing or taping them to the top of a piece of plywood or the bottom of a transparent office chair mat).

They are not usually durable and may wear out easily, but for light use they are quite fitting. Manufacturers of soft pads include Konami, BNSUSA, RedOctane, Intec, MadKatz (Beat Pad), MyMyBox, Naki International, and Nintendo (Action Pad). OEM manufacturers include Topway (manufacturer of RedOctane pads), Futime, and many others.

Some soft pads contain stiff foam inserts of the dense or hard varieties to provide more stability and durability. The inserts usually ship as three or six puzzle pieces (to allow for a smaller box) which fit together using a dovetail joint and slide into the dance pad, which then zips closed around the foam. Certain brands of foam pads put raised plastic sections under the directional buttons to allow them to be more easily felt by a player's feet, so as to help keep him centered on the pad.

These pads generally cost between $40 and $100.

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