Print Screen key code in JavaScript

For Print Screen, event.key is PrintScreen, event.code is PrintScreen and the deprecated keyCode is 44. Press any key in the Key Code Finder to see its values live.

Updated

PropertyValue
event.keyPrintScreen
event.codePrintScreen
event.keyCode / which (deprecated)44

How to detect Print Screen

document.addEventListener('keydown', (event) => {
  if (event.key === "PrintScreen") {
    // Print Screen was pressed
  }
});

Use event.key to react to what the key means (it follows the keyboard layout) and event.code for its physical position, for example WASD in games. keyCode and which are deprecated: they still work, but their values differ between browsers and layouts.

How browsers treat Print Screen

The operating system takes the screenshot; most browsers send only a keyup event, or nothing. Web pages can’t block screenshots.

In React

<input onKeyDown={(e) => { if (e.key === "PrintScreen") { /* … */ } }} />
JavaScript Keycode FinderPress any key and instantly see every property of the keyboard event, with a copy-ready keydown snippet for shortcuts.
Open the tool

Frequently asked questions

What is the keyCode for Print Screen?
44. It’s deprecated, though: use event.key (“PrintScreen”) or event.code (PrintScreen) in new code.
What is the difference between event.key and event.code?
event.key is the character or action the key produces with the current layout; event.code is the physical key position, the same on every layout.
Should I use keydown or keypress?
keydown. The keypress event is deprecated and doesn’t fire for keys that don’t produce characters, such as Escape or the arrow keys.