Using jQuery how to get click coordinates on the target element

Mastering click coordinates: The Grand Tour

Nesting and its implications

Handling click offsets in nested elements can seem like a game of whack-a-mole. These subtle entities significantly affect offset calculation due to their distinct positioning inside the parent. Use $(e.target) to verify you're targeting the legitimate click receiver, not an innocent child element that bubbled the event.

Debug Clicks: Behind the scenes

console.log(), the devtool superpower, is your sword and shield when wielding click coordinates. Use it liberally to validate the accuracy of mouse positions. Where coords are calculated, make sure it’s within a $(document).ready() function for total page loading consideration.

Elements: Not all created equal

Element type and CSS placement can shape your coordinate destiny! Static, relative, fixed, or absolute positioned elements will yield differing offset values. Test your code with differently-styled dressings to grasp CSS’s power on your coordinates.

Percentage Musings: When pixels don't count

Eschewing pixels, you might aim for click position as percentages of the total element size—a boon for responsive designs. Divide the mouse position by the element's width and height, respectively, and multiply by 100. Clamp these percentages to a strict 0-100 diet to fend off clicks beyond the element borders.

Battle-Hardened Approaches for Diverse Needs

Now that you've got the basics, let’s stride into more nuanced territory:

Oh, the simplicity of direct mouse coordinate offsets

Win the offsets game with a simpler play: MouseEvent.offsetX and MouseEvent.offsetY, providing direct offsets within the landing element:

$('#element').click(function(e) {
    // No 'pages' in sight. Just friends offsetX and offsetY
    var posX = e.offsetX;
    var posY = e.offsetY;
    console.log('X: ' + posX + ', Y: ' + posY);
});
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Validating event attachment

Ensure the correct element is beneath the event banner. Use jQuery’s .on() as a sturdier alternative to .click() when summoning event delegation or handling dynamic elements:

$(document).on('click', '#element', function(e) {
    // Advantages: Event delegation and dynamic elements. Grab 'em!
});
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Pattern Patrol: Case solutions

Investigate and embrace code patterns shared in related answers. This will help counter common use cases and pre-empt potential gotchas in different situations.

Precision Absolute: Tricky Positioning Cases

Scrollable elements: Know thy offset!

Complex arrangements need further thought. For example, if your element is scrollable, adjust for the scroll offset. Keep your click coordinates on the straight and narrow!

Zoom and Scale: Not just for PDFs

Browser zoom levels and CSS transforms (such as scale) are like optical illusionists- bending click coordinates. Tame these forces by factoring in the current zoom level and CSS transformation values.

Accessibility: No one left behind

Screen magnifiers and similar accessibility utilities can disrupt click coordinates. Strive for accessibility in your features, and avoid tethering them to precise coordinate detection.