Pointer EventsBaseline · Widely available

Pointer events, such as pointerdown, and the PointerEvent API, represent general pointing inputs, from a wide range of devices, such as a mouse, pen or stylus, or touch with one or more fingers. Not to be confused with the pointer-events CSS property.

Supported in all major browsers for at least 30 months — safe to use without fallbacks. Baseline since Jul 28, 2020. Widely available since Jan 28, 2023.

How to use ↓Compare browsers

Browser support

DesktopChrome

1–54Not supported

55+Supportedsince Dec 1, 2016

Current: 155

Edge

12+Supportedsince Jul 29, 2015

Current: 154

Firefox

1–58Not supported

59+Supportedsince Mar 13, 2018

Current: 157

Safari

1–12.1Not supported

13+Supportedsince Sep 19, 2019

Current: 27

MobileChrome Android

18–54Not supported

55+Supportedsince Dec 6, 2016

Current: 155

Firefox Android

4–68Not supported

79+Supportedsince Jul 28, 2020

Current: 157

Safari iOS

1–12.2Not supported

13+Supportedsince Sep 19, 2019

Current: 27

How to use

This feature is Baseline widely available — use it freely, no fallback needed.

Example

Full syntax and examples are on MDN: gotpointercapture event.

Feature detection

JS · check before using

if ("PointerEvent" in globalThis) {
  // PointerEvent is available
} else {
  // load a polyfill or use a fallback
}

Documentation (MDN)

Specification

w3c.github.io/pointerevents ↗

Usage share

caniuse.com/pointer ↗

Sub-features

Support for each part of the feature (38). The overall table above shows when the whole feature works.

Sub-feature	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Safari	Chrome Android	Firefox Android	Safari iOS
Element.auxclick_event.type_pointerevent	92	92	129	18.2	92	129	18.2
Element.click_event.type_pointerevent	92	92	129	18.2	92	129	18.2
Element.contextmenu_event.type_pointerevent	92	92	129	18.2	92	129	✕
Element.gotpointercapture_event	57	17	59	13	57	79	13
Element.hasPointerCapture	55	79	59	13	55	79	13
Element.lostpointercapture_event	57	17	59	13	57	79	13
Element.pointercancel_event	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.pointerdown_event	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.pointerenter_event	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.pointerleave_event	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.pointermove_event	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.pointerout_event	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.pointerover_event	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.pointerrawupdate_event	77	79	148	✕	77	148	✕
Element.pointerup_event	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.releasePointerCapture	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Element.setPointerCapture	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
Navigator.maxTouchPoints	35	12	59	13	35	79	13
PointerEvent	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
PointerEvent.PointerEvent	55	12	59	13	55	79	13

Show 18 more

Sub-feature	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Safari	Chrome Android	Firefox Android	Safari iOS
PointerEvent.PointerEvent.options_altitudeAngle_parameter	86	86	131	18.2	86	131	18.2
PointerEvent.PointerEvent.options_azimuthAngle_parameter	86	86	131	18.2	86	131	18.2
PointerEvent.altitudeAngle	86	86	131	18.2	86	131	18.2
PointerEvent.azimuthAngle	86	86	131	18.2	86	131	18.2
PointerEvent.getCoalescedEvents	58	79	59	18.2	58	✕	18.2
PointerEvent.getPredictedEvents	77	79	89	18.2	77	89	18.2
PointerEvent.height	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
PointerEvent.isPrimary	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
PointerEvent.persistentDeviceId	128	128	141	✕	128	141	✕
PointerEvent.pointerId	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
PointerEvent.pointerType	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
PointerEvent.pointerType.fractional_coordinates	✕	✕	135	26.2	✕	135	26.2
PointerEvent.pressure	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
PointerEvent.tangentialPressure	57	79	59	13	57	79	13
PointerEvent.tiltX	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
PointerEvent.tiltY	55	12	59	13	55	79	13
PointerEvent.twist	57	18	59	13	57	79	13
PointerEvent.width	55	12	59	13	55	79	13