# onmousedown Event

Event Object

## Example

Execute a JavaScript when pressing a mouse button over a paragraph:

<p onmousedown="myFunction()">Click the text!</p>
Try it yourself »

More "Try it Yourself" examples below.

## Definition and Usage

The onmousedown event occurs when a user presses a mouse button over an element.

Tip: The order of events related to the onmousedown event (for the left/middle mouse button):

1. onmousedown
2. onmouseup
3. onclick

The order of events related to the onmousedown event (for the right mouse button):

1. onmousedown
2. onmouseup
3. oncontextmenu

## Browser Support

Event |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
onmousedown | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes

## Syntax

In HTML:

<element onmousedown="myScript">Try it

In JavaScript:

object.onmousedown=function(){myScript};Try it

In JavaScript, using the addEventListener() method:

object.addEventListener("mousedown", myScript);Try it

Note: The addEventListener() method is not supported in Internet Explorer 8 and earlier versions.

## Technical Details

Bubbles: | Yes
Cancelable: | Yes
Event type: | MouseEvent
Supported HTML tags: | All HTML elements, EXCEPT: <base>, <bdo>, <br>, <head>, <html>, <iframe>, <meta>, <param>, <script>, <style>, and <title>
DOM Version: | Level 2 Events

## More Examples

Trigger a function with parameters when the button is pressed down
When the mouse button is pressed down over a <p> element, change its color to red.

Alert which mouse button that was pressed
Alert which mouse button the user pressed.

Alert the element the user clicked on
Alert the name of the element the user clicked on.

Event Object

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