files/en-us/web/api/htmlmediaelement/play_event/index.md
{{APIRef("HTMLMediaElement")}}
The play event is fired when the paused property is changed from true to false, as a result of the play method, or the autoplay attribute.
This event is not cancelable and does not bubble.
Use the event name in methods like {{domxref("EventTarget.addEventListener", "addEventListener()")}}, or set an event handler property.
addEventListener("play", (event) => { })
onplay = (event) => { }
A generic {{domxref("Event")}}.
These examples add an event listener for the HTMLMediaElement's play event, then post a message when that event handler has reacted to the event firing.
Using addEventListener():
const video = document.querySelector("video");
video.addEventListener("play", (event) => {
console.log(
"The Boolean paused property is now 'false'. Either the play() method was called or the autoplay attribute was toggled.",
);
});
Using the onplay event handler property:
const video = document.querySelector("video");
video.onplay = (event) => {
console.log(
"The Boolean paused property is now 'false'. Either the play() method was called or the autoplay attribute was toggled.",
);
};
{{Specifications}}
{{Compat}}