Touch.target

Summary

Returns the Element (EventTarget) on which the touch contact started when it was first placed on the surface, even if the touch point has since moved outside the interactive area of that element or even been removed from the document. Note that if the target element is removed from the document, events will still be targeted at it, and hence won't necessarily bubble up to the window or document anymore. If there is any risk of an element being removed while it is being touched, the best practice is to attach the touch listeners directly to the target.

Syntax

var el = touchPoint.target;

Return value

el
The target element of the Touch object.

Example

This example illustrates how to access the Touch object's Touch.target property. The Touch.target property is an Element (EventTarget) on which a touch point is started when contact is first placed on the surface.

In following simple code snippet, we assume the user initiates one or more touch contacts on the source element. When the touchstart event handler for this element is invoked, each touch point's Touch.target property is accessed via the event's TouchEvent.targetTouches list.

// Register a touchmove listener for the 'source' element
var src = document.getElementById("source");

src.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) {
  // Iterate through the touch points that were activiated
  // for this element.
  for (var i=0; i < e.targetTouches.length; i++) {
    console.log("touchpoint[" + i + "].target = " + e.targetTouches[i].target);
  }
}, false);

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Touch Events – Level 2 Draft Non-stable version.
Touch Events Recommendation Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
targetChrome Full support 22Edge Full support ≤18Firefox Full support 52
Notes
Full support 52
Notes
Notes Touch events support has been fixed and reenabled in Windows desktop platforms.
No support 18 — 24
Notes
Notes Web compatibility issues seen in bug 888304.
IE No support NoOpera Full support YesSafari No support NoWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 6Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

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