Window.screenLeft

The Window.screenLeft read-only property returns the horizontal distance, in CSS pixels, from the left border of the user's browser viewport to the left side of the screen.

Note: screenLeft is an alias of the older Window.screenX property. screenLeft was originally supported only in IE but was introduced everywhere due to popularity.

Syntax

leftWindowPos = window.screenLeft

Returns

A number equal to the number of CSS pixels from the left edge of the browser viewport to the left edge of the screen.

Examples

In our screenleft-screentop example, you'll see a canvas onto which has been drawn a circle. In this example we are using screenLeft/screenTop plus Window.requestAnimationFrame() to constantly redraw the circle in the same physical position on the screen, even if the window position is moved.

initialLeft = window.screenLeft + canvasElem.offsetLeft;
initialTop = window.screenTop + canvasElem.offsetTop;

function positionElem() {
  let newLeft = window.screenLeft + canvasElem.offsetLeft;
  let newTop = window.screenTop + canvasElem.offsetTop;

  let leftUpdate = initialLeft - newLeft;
  let topUpdate = initialTop - newTop;

  ctx.fillStyle = 'rgb(0, 0, 0)';
  ctx.fillRect(0, 0, width, height);
  ctx.fillStyle = 'rgb(0, 0, 255)';
  ctx.beginPath();
  ctx.arc(leftUpdate + (width/2), topUpdate + (height/2) + 35, 50, degToRad(0), degToRad(360), false);
  ctx.fill();

  pElem.textContent = 'Window.screenLeft: ' + window.screenLeft + ', Window.screenTop: ' + window.screenTop;

  window.requestAnimationFrame(positionElem);
}

window.requestAnimationFrame(positionElem);

Also in the code we include a snippet that detects whether screenLeft is supported, and if not, polyfills in screenLeft/screenTop using Window.screenX/Window.screenY.

if(!window.screenLeft) {
  window.screenLeft = window.screenX;
  window.screenTop = window.screenY;
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Object Model (CSSOM) View Module
The definition of 'Window.screenLeft' in that specification.
Working Draft Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
screenLeftChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support 64IE Full support YesOpera Full support YesSafari Full support YesWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 64Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also