CSS cursor Property
Sets the type of mouse cursor to show when hovering over an element
Syntax
cursor: auto | default | pointer | grab | text | move | not-allowed | crosshair | wait | progress | help | none | url();Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| auto | Browser decides (default) |
| pointer | Hand indicating a link |
| grab | Open hand for dragging |
| text | Text selection cursor |
| not-allowed | Action not allowed |
| none | No cursor |
| move | Move cursor |
| wait | Wait/loading cursor |
Example
.clickable {
cursor: pointer;
}
.disabled {
cursor: not-allowed;
opacity: 0.5;
}Understanding CSS cursor
The CSS cursor property sets the type of mouse cursor to show when hovering over an element. As part of the Misc module in CSS, it is one of the most commonly used properties for controlling the visual presentation of web pages.
You can set cursor to values such as auto, pointer, grab, text, among others. Each value changes how the browser renders the affected element, giving you fine-grained control over your page layout and design. Choosing the right value depends on the specific design requirements of your project.
Common use cases for the cursor property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like pointer-events, user-select, touch-action to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.
Browser support for cursor is excellent across all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For older browsers, consider using fallback values or progressive enhancement strategies. The property can also be set dynamically via JavaScript using element.style.cursor or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.
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