jQuery API

.mouseover()

.mouseover( handler(eventObject) ) Returns: jQuery

Description: Bind an event handler to the "mouseover" JavaScript event, or trigger that event on an element.

  • version added: 1.0.mouseover( handler(eventObject) )

    handler(eventObject)A function to execute each time the event is triggered.

  • version added: 1.4.3.mouseover( [eventData], handler(eventObject) )

    eventDataA map of data that will be passed to the event handler.

    handler(eventObject)A function to execute each time the event is triggered.

  • version added: 1.0.mouseover()

This method is a shortcut for .bind('mouseover', handler) in the first two variations, and .trigger('mouseover') in the third.

The mouseover event is sent to an element when the mouse pointer enters the element. Any HTML element can receive this event.

For example, consider the HTML:

<div id="outer">
  Outer
  <div id="inner">
    Inner
  </div>
</div>
<div id="other">
  Trigger the handler
</div>
<div id="log"></div>

The event handler can be bound to any element:

$('#outer').mouseover(function() {
  $('#log').append('<div>Handler for .mouseover() called.</div>');
});

Now when the mouse pointer moves over the Outer <div>, the message is appended to <div id="log">. We can also trigger the event when another element is clicked:

$('#other').click(function() {
  $('#outer').mouseover();
});

After this code executes, clicks on Trigger the handler will also append the message.

This event type can cause many headaches due to event bubbling. For instance, when the mouse pointer moves over the Inner element in this example, a mouseover event will be sent to that, then trickle up to Outer. This can trigger our bound mouseover handler at inopportune times. See the discussion for .mouseenter() for a useful alternative.

Example:

Show the number of times mouseover and mouseenter events are triggered. mouseover fires when the pointer moves into the child element as well, while mouseenter fires only when the pointer moves into the bound element.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <style>
div.out { width:40%; height:120px; margin:0 15px;
          background-color:#D6EDFC; float:left; }
div.in {  width:60%; height:60%; 
          background-color:#FFCC00; margin:10px auto; }
p { line-height:1em; margin:0; padding:0; }
</style>
  <script src="http://code.jquery.com/jquery-latest.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
  
<div class="out overout">
  <span>move your mouse</span>
  <div class="in">
  </div>
</div>

<div class="out enterleave">
  <span>move your mouse</span>
  <div class="in">
  </div>
</div>

<script>
  var i = 0;
  $("div.overout").mouseover(function() {
    i += 1;
    $(this).find("span").text( "mouse over x " + i );
  }).mouseout(function(){
    $(this).find("span").text("mouse out ");
  });

  var n = 0;
  $("div.enterleave").mouseenter(function() {
    n += 1;
    $(this).find("span").text( "mouse enter x " + n );
  }).mouseleave(function() {
    $(this).find("span").text("mouse leave");
  });

</script>

</body>
</html>

Demo:

Support and Contributions

Need help with .mouseover() or have a question about it? Visit the jQuery Forum or the #jquery channel on irc.freenode.net.

Think you've discovered a jQuery bug related to .mouseover()? Report it to the jQuery core team.

Found a problem with this documentation? Report it on the GitHub issue tracker

  • Flo

    Mouseover event will not work if a div is hidden with display:none and unhidden with CSS-hover property. This is because display:none will generate no box for the div. workaround: use visibility: hidden.

    • Will L

      Thanks for the tip, but using visibility instead of display is untenable in some situations. I reverted to using live() with mouseover and mouseout events which seems to work okay so far…

  • Anonymous

    If you want to add css try this:
    $(#element_id).mouseover(function () {
    $(this).css(‘cursor’, ‘hand’);
    });

  • Timo

    A section devoted to the interplay of mouse events on client-side image-maps would be much appreciated.

  • http://www.dreamsnet.it Marco Marcoaldi

    Hi, how to stop animation (shake) when mouseout from Div ?

  • Kos90

    I wanna konw how to use optional eventData

  • Pwatson92

    how can i change the .text into html

  • Pwatson92

    how can i change the .text into html

  • Pepino

    ragaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  • Utindon

    I have a question. Probably a noob's one.. but I have written a jquery script yo handle a multiple rollover image menu.. and it works perfectly. But now I am trying to export the code to a .JS file to have a better organization for my files but it mysteriously doesn't work…

    What could be the problem? can anyone help me on this issue?

  • Mat

    I love this framework :-D

  • http://www.bestinweb.it biw

    Hello, I think this topic has not been answered yet. Can you please advise on how to stop animation (shake) when mouseout from Div ?

    Thank you!

  • http://www.learningjquery.com/ Karl Swedberg

    Given the markup and the script, the demo is working correctly. Both the inner and the outer div have the enterleave class, and there is only one incrementer (n) for both. Admittedly, the demo is a bit confusing, so expect a rewrite of it in the coming days.

    Thanks for the heads up.