Keyboard Event Viewer
0 events Latest 200 kept
EventkeycodekeyCodeLocModifiersRepeatΔ ms
Every keyboard event appears here, newest first.
key, code and keyCode
3 propertiesA KeyboardEvent identifies a press in three ways. On a French AZERTY keyboard, the same physical key gives a different key value, the same code, and a keyCode that follows the letter.
PropertyWhat it givesQWERTYAZERTY
keyThe character the layout types, or the key's name (Enter, Shift)qacodeThe physical key, whatever the layoutKeyQKeyQkeyCodeA legacy number, deprecated but still sent8165Use code for shortcuts by position (WASD), and key for text and shortcuts by letter.
location
4 valuesThe location property says which side a paired key is on, or that a key is on the number pad.
0 · StandardMost keys, which appear once on the board
1 · LeftLeft Shift, Ctrl, Alt and Meta
2 · RightRight Shift, Ctrl, Alt and Meta
3 · NumpadKeys on the number pad, Enter included
Input methods and keyCode 229
IMEWith a Chinese, Japanese or Korean input method on, the input method takes the keys first. The page sees key "Process" and keyCode 229, and the text arrives in composition events. Typing ni for a Chinese word:
keydownkey "Process" · keyCode 229compositionstartThe input method starts a wordcompositionupdatedata n, then nikeydownSpace picks a candidatecompositionenddata is the word pickedinputinputType insertCompositionText
Check isComposing before acting on a key, or the Enter that picks a word also submits the form.
Modifier keys
getModifierStateEach event carries the modifiers held at that moment. getModifierState() also reports the lock keys.
ShiftshiftKeyControlctrlKeyAltaltKeyMetametaKey (Windows, or Command on a Mac)CapsLockLock state, not whether the key is downNumLockLock state, often unknown on a MacAltGraphRight Alt on many European layoutsScrollLockRare on current keyboardsFrequently asked questions
8 questionsWhat is the difference between event.key and event.code?
Character vs physical keykey is what the key types on the current layout, such as a or A. code is the physical key, such as KeyA, and stays the same on any layout. This keyboard event viewer shows both for every press.
Why is keyCode 229?
Input methodAn input method (IME) is handling the key. key reads "Process" and the text comes later in composition and input events. Type in the field to see them.
Is keyCode deprecated?
YeskeyCode, which and charCode are deprecated, but browsers still send them. New code should read key or code.
Why does Fn not show any event?
Never sentThe keyboard handles Fn itself and sends no key code, so no web page receives it. The key you press with Fn, such as F5 or a volume key, does show up.
Why can't I catch Ctrl+W or Ctrl+T?
Kept by the browserThe browser keeps some shortcuts for itself: close tab, new tab, new window. Blocking default actions stops most other keys, such as Tab, F5 or /, but not these.
Why does a held key keep firing keydown?
Auto-repeatThe system repeats a held key. Each repeat is a keydown with repeat true, and one keyup comes on release.
Why are some keyup events missing on a Mac?
Command heldWhile Command is held, macOS browsers send no keyup for the other keys, and none arrives after Command is released either. Mac keyboard test →
Does this upload my keystrokes?
Not by the testEvents are handled in this browser only. The test code does not upload them, and they are cleared when you close the page. Privacy policy →