23 JavaScript Mouse Tracking Examples

Modern web games often rely on bloated frameworks. This project demonstrates the raw capability of the native Canvas API combined with lightweight physics. It is a satisfying, tactile experience where the user’s cursor becomes a blade. By implementing a custom particle system and separating the collision logic (SAT.js) from the rendering, we achieve a high-performance arcade feel that runs smoothly even on modest hardware.

Standard video controls are an interruption — a layer of clutter between the viewer and the content. We wanted to remove that barrier. This component transforms the user’s intent into the interface itself. By morphing the cursor into a context-aware controller, we achieve a symbiosis of navigation and action. It creates an immersive, cinematic experience where the UI dissolves, leaving only the story.

We accept flatness in web interfaces as a constraint, but it is merely a habit. This component breaks the fourth wall, transforming a static modal into a tangible, digital artifact. By coupling mouse physics with deep perspective, we create an interaction that feels less like clicking a link and more like holding a rare collectable.

This 3D Parallax Card Slider brings a tangible, high-fidelity feel to web galleries. It goes beyond simple sliding by implementing a physics-based tilt effect that reacts to mouse movement, giving each card weight and depth. The background adapts seamlessly to the active slide, creating an immersive atmosphere perfect for luxury travel sites or premium portfolios.

This Interactive Neon Grid Trail creates a sleek, cybernetic atmosphere ideal for tech portfolios or futuristic landing pages. It utilizes the HTML5 Canvas API to render a grid of invisible squares that light up in neon teal upon interaction. The effect features a “memory” mechanic where the illuminated cells hold their charge for a moment before gracefully fading back into the darkness, creating a satisfying trail behind the user’s cursor.

This Interactive Typographic Wave Footer combines generative art with functional UI design. It features a field of horizontal lines that behave like a liquid surface, reacting to the user’s cursor with a satisfying ripple effect. Hidden within the wave structure is a 3D-like topographic representation of text (“DICH”), generated by mapping pixel brightness from an off-screen canvas to the vertical position of the lines. It’s a sophisticated way to add depth and interactivity to a page footer or hero section.

This Neon 3D Tubes Cursor Trail brings high-end motion graphics to the web browser. Using the power of WebGL and Three.js, it generates a serpentine trail of glowing 3D geometry that fluidly follows the user’s input. The effect features dynamic lighting that casts soft glows on the tubes, and it includes a built-in interaction where clicking the screen instantly randomizes the color palette, keeping the visual experience fresh.

This Holographic 3D Interactive Card is a premium UI component inspired by rare physical trading cards. It features a sophisticated depth effect where the logo floats independently from the iridescent background, reacting dynamically to mouse movements or touch input. The use of modern CSS APIs ensures high-performance rendering of complex gradients and masks, creating a truly immersive “collectible” feel for digital assets.

The Magnetic Video Play Button Concept is an interactive UI element that replaces the standard video player controls with a creative, cursor-following play button. This implementation enhances user engagement by making the primary interaction point - the play toggle - dynamic and physically responsive to the user’s movement. It is perfect for landing pages and high-end portfolio sites where media content is the centerpiece.

This Interactive 3D Photo Cube creates a spatial navigation experience where a user explores six images mapped onto a cube by moving their cursor. Unlike standard sliders, it utilizes CSS 3D transforms orchestrated by GSAP to create a seamless, physics-like rotation. The snippet also features a “window-pane” parallax effect where the background images shift slightly inside their frames, adding an extra layer of depth.

This Cursor-Tracking Spotlight Reveal Effect creates a sophisticated “x-ray” or “flashlight” interaction. Initially, the user sees plain text. As the mouse moves, a circular mask follows the cursor, revealing a hidden image underneath and simultaneously inverting the text color to white within the circle. This technique adds depth and playfulness to portfolio links or gallery items without disrupting the layout.

This Stripe-Inspired Cards Hover Effect replicates the sophisticated “flashlight” border interaction seen on modern SaaS websites. Instead of a simple color change, a soft radial gradient follows the user’s mouse cursor across a grid of cards. This creates a cohesive, lighting-aware interface where elements seem to illuminate as you interact with them.

An intriguing user experience where hidden messages and a vibrant gradient background are revealed only under a “spotlight” following the cursor, featuring expansion animations upon interaction.

A holographic card effect driven by mouse tracking via JavaScript, which updates CSS variables to position dynamic gradients.

A technically very advanced component that uses modern APIs (WAAPI) to create unique, kinetic cursor tracking, effectively demonstrating the capabilities of high-performance, JS-controlled animation.

A futuristic 3D button constructed from CSS-transformed planes to form a cube. JavaScript tracks mouse movement to apply dynamic rotateX/Y transforms for a tilt effect, while CSS keyframes animate a neon gradient glow and blur that activates on hover.

A high-quality simulation of a metallic surface that “plays” with light following the mouse cursor, creating a tactile sensation of premium material.

A futuristic, interactive blog card featuring AI-generated content fetched dynamically via JavaScript. The layout utilizes advanced CSS techniques like :has() for expandable sections, masking and blend modes for rich graphical elements, and variable-driven cursor tracking animations, creating a dynamic and engaging reading experience.

Interactive buttons featuring a fluid, mouse-tracking glow effect powered by CSS custom properties. JavaScript calculates cursor coordinates to dynamically position radial gradients and text shadows, while CSS filters create a ‘gooey’ liquid animation that responds organically to user interaction.

An interactive 3D card selector featuring a dynamic parallax effect where cards rotate in perspective based on mouse coordinates. JavaScript calculates angular transforms and constraints for a ‘chef’ character that playfully follows the cursor along the card’s axis.

An illustration of a cat created entirely in CSS, featuring interactive eyes that follow the cursor. JavaScript uses Math.atan2 to calculate the gaze angle, while all of the cat’s details - from the body to the whiskers - are implemented using pseudo-elements, box-shadow, and gradients.

A showcase of powerful interactive styling, where JS logic calculates cursor distance and direction to control a moving shadow and the intensity of a border glow via CSS variables and pseudo-elements.