← Back toHTML DOM

Detect if the caps lock is on

Written byPhuoc Nguyen
Category
Level 2 — Intermediate
Created
03 Mar, 2020
Assume that we want to let users know if the caps lock is on while they are entering the value for an input (a password field, for example):
<input type="text" id="textbox" />

<div id="message" />
The element with `id` of `message` will be used to show the message.

1. Use the getModifierState() function

The getModifierState() function returns the state of given modifier key. It can let us know if the `CapsLock` key is pressed by calling `getModifierState('CapsLock')` from the event object.
const textboxEle = document.getElementById('textbox');
const messageEle = document.getElementById('message');

textboxEle.addEventListener('keydown', function (e) {
const capsLockOn = e.getModifierState('CapsLock');

// Update the content of message
messageEle.innerHTML = capsLockOn ? 'Caps lock is ON' : '';

// Show or hide the message based on the CapsLock state
messageEle.style.display = capsLockOn ? 'block' : 'none';
});
This approach doesn't support the case that users press the Shift key.

2. Support the Shift key

The caps lock is treated as ON if users press
  • an uppercase letter without Shift
  • or an lowercase letter with Shift
const textboxEle = document.getElementById('textbox');
const messageEle = document.getElementById('message');

textboxEle.addEventListener('keypress', function (e) {
const isMac = /Mac/.test(navigator.platform);

const keyCode = e.keyCode || e.which;

// Is the _Shift_ key pressed?
const shiftKey = e.shiftKey || keyCode === 16;

// Get the pressed character
const s = String.fromCharCode(keyCode);
const capsLockOn =
(s.toUpperCase() === s && s.toLowerCase() !== s && !(shiftKey && isMac)) ||
(s.toUpperCase() !== s && s.toLowerCase() === s && shiftKey);

messageEle.innerHTML = capsLockOn ? 'Caps lock is ON' : '';
messageEle.style.display = capsLockOn ? 'block' : 'none';
});

See also

Questions? 🙋

Do you have any questions? Not just about this specific post, but about any topic in front-end development that you'd like to learn more about? If so, feel free to send me a message on Twitter or send me an email. You can find them at the bottom of this page.
I have a long list of upcoming posts, but your questions or ideas for the next one will be my top priority. Let's learn together! Sharing knowledge is the best way to grow 🥷.

Recent posts ⚡

Newsletter 🔔

If you're into front-end technologies and you want to see more of the content I'm creating, then you might want to consider subscribing to my newsletter.
By subscribing, you'll be the first to know about new articles, products, and exclusive promotions.
Don't worry, I won't spam you. And if you ever change your mind, you can unsubscribe at any time.
Phước Nguyễn