HTML Event Attributes Reference

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

HTML event attributes are used to define actions that should occur when specific events are triggered on a webpage.

They enable interaction between the user and the system, like clicking a button or resizing a window.
Event attributes are added to HTML elements to specify the event type and action.
They enhance dynamic behavior and improve user experience on a webpage.

HTML

<html>
<head>
	<script>
		function displayMessage() {
			alert("Button was clicked!");
		}
	</script>
</head>
<body>
	<button onclick="displayMessage()">Click Me!</button>
</body>
</html>

<button onclick="displayMessage()">Click Me!</button>: The <button> element includes the onclick attribute, which is set to call the displayMessage() function when the button is clicked.
function displayMessage() { alert("Button was clicked!"); }: This JavaScript function displays an alert box with the message "Button was clicked!" when invoked.

The complete list of Event Attributes are given below:

Window Event Attributes

	Description
onafterprint	Used with `onbeforeprint` to perform actions after the page is printed.
onbeforeprint	The alert message display before the print dialogue box appears.
onbeforeunload	The onbeforeunload event run when the document is about to be unloaded.
onerror	This attribute works when an error occurs while loading an external file.
onhashchange	This attribute works when there has been changes to the anchor part.
onload	This attribute works when an object has been loaded.
onoffline	The onoffline event attribute works when the browser work in offline mode.
ononline	The ononline event attribute works when the browser starts working in online mode.
onpageshow	This event occurs when a user navigates to a website.
onresize	The onresize event attribute is triggered each time when resize the browser window size.
onunload	Fired when the document is unloaded (e.g., when navigating away).

Form Event Attributes

Form Event Attributes	Description
onblur	This attribute is mostly used in Form validation code.
onchange	The onchange event attribute works when the value of the element changes and select the new value from the List.
oncontextmenu	This attribute works when the user right-clicks on an element to open the context menu.
onfocus	This event attribute is mostly used with <input>, <select>, <a> elements.
oninput	This attribute works when it gets user input value.
oninvalid	The oninvalid event attribute works when an input field values are invalid or empty.
onreset	The onreset event attribute in HTML is triggered when reset the form.
onsearch	When a user presses the ENTER button or click on the x button.
onselect	The onselect event attribute works when some text has been selected in an element.
onsubmit	The onsubmit event attribute in HTML is triggered when a form is submitted.

Keyboard Event Attributes

Keyboard Event Attributes	Description
onkeydown	The onkeydown event is triggered when the user presses any key on the keyboard.
onkeypress	This attribute fires when a user presses a key on the Keyboard.
onkeyup	This onkeyup event attribute works when the user releases the key from the keyboard.

Mouse Event Attributes

Mouse Event Attributes	Description
onclick	The onclick event attribute in HTML works when the user clicks on the button.
ondblclick	This Attribute Event occurs when a user fires mouse Double click on the Element.
onmousedown	when a mouse button is pressed down on the element
onmousemove	The onmousemove attribute works when the pointer moves over an element.
onmouseout	when the mouse pointer moves out of the specified element.
onmouseover	The onmouseover event attribute works when the mouse pointer moves over the specified element.
onmouseup	when a mouse button is released over the element.
onwheel	when the wheel of pointer device is rolled up or down over an element.

Drag Event Attributes

Drag Event Attributes	Description
ondrag	when the element or text selection is being dragged in HTML
ondragend	when the user finished the dragging of element. The drag and drop feature is common in HTML5
ondragenter	The ondragenter event attribute in HTML works when the content is draggable
ondragleave	The ondragleave attribute works when a draggable element or text selection leaves a valid drop target
ondragstart	HTML ondragstart Event Attribute is used when the user wants to drag the text or element.
ondrop	The ondrop event attribute is used to drag an element or text and drop it into a valid droppable location or target.
onscroll	This onscroll attribute works when an element scrollbar is being scrolled.

Clipboard Events Attributes

Clipboard Events Attributes	Description
oncopy	This attribute fires when the user copied the content present in an element.
oncut	This attribute fires when the user cut or delete the content that has been present in the element.
onpaste	The onpaste attribute works when some content are paste in an element.

Misc Events Attributes

Misc Events Attributes	Description
ontoggle	The ontoggle event is triggered when the user open or close the <details> element.

Best Practices for Using HTML Event Attributes

Prefer External JavaScript: Instead of embedding JavaScript directly within HTML event attributes, link to external JavaScript files to enhance code organization and maintainability.
Use Event Listeners: Implement event listeners in JavaScript rather than inline event attributes to separate structure from behavior, improving code clarity.
Avoid Overuse: Limit the number of event attributes to prevent performance issues and maintain a responsive user interface.

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