What is the difference between event.code and event.key?

event.code identifies the physical key on the keyboard, regardless of layout (e.g. 'KeyQ'). event.key provides the produced character (e.g. 'q' or 'Q').

Why is event.keyCode deprecated?

event.keyCode was deprecated in modern web standards due to cross-platform inconsistencies, but is still provided by browsers for legacy compatibility.

Does this key detector work on Mac and Windows?

Yes. On macOS, Command reports as MetaLeft/MetaRight and Option reports as AltLeft/AltRight.

Event & KeyCode Inspector·Real-Time DOM Detection·1-Click Copy

JavaScript Key Identifier

Press any key on your keyboard to instantly inspect its event.code, event.key, keyCode, and modifier states.

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event.code vs event.key vs keyCode

Understand which property to use in your JavaScript event handlers.

event.code— Physical key layout position

Physical identifier like 'KeyA', 'Space', 'ArrowUp'. Identical across QWERTY, AZERTY, and Dvorak. Best for games and keybindings.

event.key— Rendered Unicode character

The character typed after modifiers ('a' -> 'A' with Shift, '4' -> '$'). Best for text inputs and typing software.

event.keyCode— Legacy numerical value

Numeric code (e.g. 65 for A). Deprecated but retained for backward compatibility with older libraries.

Mac vs Windows Modifier Map

Action	Windows	Mac
Primary modifier	Ctrl	Cmd (Meta)
Secondary modifier	Alt	Option (Alt)
Context menu	ContextMenu	—
Line start/end	Home / End	Cmd + ← / →

Common Key Codes Cheat Sheet

Space32

Enter13

Escape27

Backspace8

Tab9

Shift16

Frequently asked questions

Developer FAQ regarding keyboard events and JavaScript key properties.