Clipboard.readText()

The Clipboard interface's readText() method returns a Promise which resolves with a copy of the textual contents of the system clipboard.. The "clipboard-read" permission of the Permissions API must be granted before you can read data from the clipboard.

Syntax

var promise = navigator.clipboard.readText()

Parameters

None.

Return value

A Promise that resolves with a DOMString containing the textual contents of the clipboard. Returns an empty string if the clipboard is empty, does not contain text, or does not include a textual representation among the DataTransfer objects representing the clipboard's contents.

To read non-text contents from the clipboard, use the read() method instead. You can write text to the clipboard using writeText().

Example

This example retrieves the textual contents of the clipboard and inserts the returned text into an element's contents.

navigator.clipboard.readText().then(
  clipText => document.getElementById("outbox").innerText = clipText);

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Clipboard API and events
The definition of 'readText()' in that specification.
Working Draft Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
readTextChrome Full support 66Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 63
Notes
Full support 63
Notes
Notes Firefox only supports reading the clipboard in browser extensions, using the "clipboardRead" extension permission.
IE No support NoOpera Full support 53Safari Full support 13.1WebView Android Full support 66Chrome Android Full support 66Firefox Android Full support 63
Notes
Full support 63
Notes
Notes Firefox only supports reading the clipboard in browser extensions, using the "clipboardRead" extension permission.
Opera Android Full support 47Safari iOS Full support 13.4Samsung Internet Android Full support 9.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also