preventDefault() Event Method

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

The preventDefault() method is used to prevent the browser from executing the default action of the selected element. It can prevent the user from processing the request by clicking the link.

Syntax:

event.preventDefault()

Parameters:

It does not accept any parameter. The event is used to denote the event or action by the user in the response to which the method works.

Example: This code will prevent the browser from going to another page.

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">

<head>
    <title> preventDefault() Event Method </title>
    <!-- INCLUDE THE JQUERY CDN -->
    <script src=
"https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function () {
            $("a").click(function (event) {
                event.preventDefault();
                alert("prevented");
            });
        });
    </script>
</head>

<body>
    <p>Click the link:</p>
    <a href="https://www.google.com/">GOOGLE</a>
</body>

</html>

Output:

Example: This code will prevent the browser from redirecting the page to another PHP file.

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">

<head>
    <title> preventDefault() Event Method</title>
    <script src=
"https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function () {
            $("#submit").click(function (event) {
                event.preventDefault();
                alert("Action is prevented");
            });
        });
    </script>
</head>

<body>
    <form action="submit.php">
        <input type="text" placeholder="enter username">
        <input id="submit" type="submit" name="submit">
    </form>
</body>

</html>