Document: pointercancel event

The pointercancel event is fired when the browser determines that there are unlikely to be any more pointer events, or if after the pointerdown event is fired, the pointer is then used to manipulate the viewport by panning, zooming, or scrolling.

Bubbles Yes
Cancelable No
Interface PointerEvent
Event handler property onpointercancel

Some examples of situations that will trigger a pointercancel event:

  • A hardware event occurs that cancels the pointer activities. This may include, for example, the user switching applications using an application switcher interface or the "home" button on a mobile device.
  • The device's screen orientation is changed while the pointer is active.
  • The browser decides that the user started pointer input accidentally. This can happen if, for example, the hardware supports palm rejection to prevent a hand resting on the display while using a stylus from accidentally triggering events.
  • The touch-action CSS property prevents the input from continuing.

After the pointercancel event is fired, the browser will also send pointerout followed by pointerleave.

Examples

Using addEventListener():

document.addEventListener('pointercancel', (event) => {
  console.log('Pointer event cancelled')
});

Using the onpointercancel event handler property:

document.onpointercancel = (event) => {
  console.log('Pointer event cancelled')
};

Specifications

Specification Status
Pointer Events Obsolete

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
pointercancel eventChrome Full support 55Edge Full support 12
Full support 12
No support 12 — 79
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: mspointercancel
Firefox Full support 59
Full support 59
Full support 29
Disabled
Disabled From version 29: this feature is behind the dom.w3c_pointer_events.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
IE Full support 11
Full support 11
Full support 10
Alternate Name
Alternate Name Uses the non-standard name: mspointercancel
Opera ? Safari No support NoWebView Android Full support 55Chrome Android Full support 55Firefox Android Full support 29
Disabled
Full support 29
Disabled
Disabled From version 29: this feature is behind the dom.w3c_pointer_events.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
Opera Android ? Safari iOS No support NoSamsung Internet Android Full support 6.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown
User must explicitly enable this feature.
User must explicitly enable this feature.
Uses a non-standard name.
Uses a non-standard name.

See also