Gestures & device / The visual dictionary

Hover.

The state of a pointer resting over an element without activating it.

Also calledmouseoverpointer hover

See it in context

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Pointer is over the target

What it is

The state of a pointer resting over an element without activating it. Offer a subtle preview or affordance without hiding information that touch users need.

When to use it

Use it to reinforce clickability or reveal optional pointer-specific context.

Know the difference

Hover is not focus, and a finger touching a screen is not reliably hovering.

Across platforms

WebmacOSWindowsLinux

Web · macOS · Windows · Linux

Mouse and trackpad devices support hover; touch-only screens require tap or always-visible alternatives.

Go to the source

Primary documentation for the pattern and its platform conventions.

Apple Human Interface Guidelines — Gestures

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Put it into words.

Choose a device and an effect, then copy the whole description.

Building forAnimation effectBrowse the effect library

Create a hover. Offer a subtle preview or affordance without hiding information that touch users need. Use it to reinforce clickability or reveal optional pointer-specific context. Make it responsive and accessible, and follow the selected platform's interaction conventions.

Your copied description includes the component, device context, and selected animation timing.

See it in context

What it is

When to use it

Know the difference

Across platforms

Web · macOS · Windows · Linux

Go to the source

You might also mean…

Tap

Focus navigation

Long press