WebGLRenderingContext.drawElements()

The WebGLRenderingContext.drawElements() method of the WebGL API renders primitives from array data.

Syntax

void gl.drawElements(mode, count, type, offset);

Parameters

mode
A GLenum specifying the type primitive to render. Possible values are:
  • gl.POINTS: Draws a single dot.
  • gl.LINE_STRIP: Draws a straight line to the next vertex.
  • gl.LINE_LOOP: Draws a straight line to the next vertex, and connects the last vertex back to the first.
  • gl.LINES: Draws a line between a pair of vertices.
  • gl.TRIANGLE_STRIP
  • gl.TRIANGLE_FAN
  • gl.TRIANGLES: Draws a triangle for a group of three vertices.
count
A GLsizei specifying the number of elements to be rendered.
type
A GLenum specifying the type of the values in the element array buffer. Possible values are:
offset
A GLintptr specifying a byte offset in the element array buffer. Must be a valid multiple of the size of the given type.

Return value

None.

Exceptions

  • If mode is not one of the accepted values, a gl.INVALID_ENUM error is thrown.
  • If offset is not a valid multiple of the size of the given type, a gl.INVALID_OPERATION error is thrown.
  • If count is negative, a gl.INVALID_VALUE error is thrown.

Examples

gl.drawElements(gl.POINTS, 8, gl.UNSIGNED_BYTE, 0);

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WebGL 1.0
The definition of 'drawElements' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition.
OpenGL ES 2.0
The definition of 'glDrawElements' in that specification.
Standard Man page of the OpenGL API.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
drawElementsChrome Full support 9Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 4IE Full support 11Opera Full support 12Safari Full support 5.1WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 25Firefox Android Full support YesOpera Android Full support 12Safari iOS Full support 8Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.5

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also