Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Use Selenium’s Actions API to click, hover, right-click, double-click, move the pointer, or drag an element. Build the gesture with your language binding’s action-chain methods, then call perform() to send it to the browser. The examples below use Python; method names differ across bindings.
How Selenium mouse actions work
The Selenium Project describes the Actions API as “a low-level interface for providing virtualized device input actions to the web browser.” It supports three input-source types: key, pointer, and wheel. Mouse gestures use the pointer source, and convenience methods cover common interactions. Selenium Actions API documentation
In Python, create an ActionChains object, chain one or more actions, and call perform(). Chained actions are queued until that call executes them.
Set up a Python example
Install Selenium and make sure a compatible browser and WebDriver are available in your environment. The exact setup can depend on your browser and Selenium release. This example assumes the page is already open and its target elements can be located.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
from selenium.webdriver.common.action_chains import ActionChains
# Open a browser and navigate to the page under test.
driver = webdriver.Chrome()
driver.get("https://example.com")
# Replace this selector with an element on your page.
target = driver.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, "button")
ActionChains(driver).move_to_element(target).click().perform()
driver.quit()Perform common mouse gestures
The following Python methods are part of ActionChains. Locate the intended element first; use offsets only when the action needs a specific point rather than the element itself. Selenium’s Python API documents the convenience methods in its ActionChains reference.
| Gesture | Python example | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Click | ActionChains(driver).click(target).perform() |
Moves to the target and clicks it. With no target argument, click() acts at the pointer’s current position. |
| Click and hold | ActionChains(driver).click_and_hold(target).perform() |
Moves to the target and presses the left mouse button without releasing it. |
| Right-click | ActionChains(driver).context_click(target).perform() |
Moves to the target and presses and releases the right mouse button. Selenium calls this a context click. |
| Double-click | ActionChains(driver).double_click(target).perform() |
Moves to the target and clicks twice. |
| Hover | ActionChains(driver).move_to_element(target).perform() |
Moves the pointer to the target’s in-view center. |
| Drag and drop | ActionChains(driver).drag_and_drop(source, target).perform() |
Presses and holds at the source, moves to the target, then releases. |
| Drag by offset | ActionChains(driver).drag_and_drop_by_offset(source, 30, 10).perform() |
Moves from the source by the specified horizontal and vertical offsets before releasing. |
Choose an element target or pointer offset
Prefer element-based actions when the page identifies the target
Pass a WebElement to methods such as click(), move_to_element(), or drag_and_drop() when the interaction is tied to a recognizable control or draggable item. This makes the action easier to read and avoids relying on a fixed screen coordinate.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Use offsets for a particular point
Selenium documents pointer moves relative to an element, the viewport, or the pointer’s current position. Positive X moves right and positive Y moves down. For example, an offset of (30, -10) from the current pointer position moves 30 pixels right and 10 pixels up. The pointer must remain in the viewport; a coordinate outside it can cause the command to fail. Selenium mouse actions documentation
Chain steps and manage held buttons
Use a chain when an interaction requires a sequence, such as moving to an element, holding the button, moving to a destination, and releasing. A pause is useful only when the page needs time between actions; it is not a substitute for waiting until an element is available.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
from selenium.webdriver.common.action_chains import ActionChains
source = driver.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, ".draggable")
target = driver.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, ".drop-zone")
actions = ActionChains(driver)
actions.click_and_hold(source).move_to_element(target).release().perform()If a sequence is interrupted while a mouse button or modifier is held, reset or clear the action input state using the mechanism available in your binding and driver before continuing. At the low level, when coordinating multiple input devices, your code is responsible for synchronizing their action sequences. Selenium Actions API documentation
Use Java or lower-level actions when needed
The equivalent common Java pattern is new Actions(driver).method(...).perform(); Python uses ActionChains(driver).method(...).perform(). Exact method spelling and parameters depend on the binding and release, so check the reference for your language.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Convenience methods are the straightforward choice for standard gestures. Use low-level pointer commands when you need finer control than those helpers expose. There is no universally best binding or gesture implementation; choose based on the control needed and the language used by your test suite.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot mouse actions
- Hover or move fails: Confirm the target is in the viewport and the requested pointer location remains within it. Hover moves to the element’s in-view center.
- The action runs but the page does not respond: Verify that the element is available for interaction and that the gesture matches the site’s behavior. For a drag, confirm the intended source and destination and use the explicit hold-move-release sequence if needed.
- A button appears stuck: An earlier action may have pressed without releasing. Send a release or reset/clear the action input state before the next interaction.
- A method name or argument is rejected: Check the current API reference for your language binding and Selenium version. The bindings do not all use identical spellings or parameter conventions.
- Multi-device actions are out of sync: When using low-level commands with more than one input device, explicitly synchronize the action sequences in your code.
Or skip the browser setup
If you need a screenshot of a page rather than a browser-driven mouse gesture, ScreenshotNeo can return an image or PDF with one GET request. It removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots, and 1,000 shots a month are free with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →cURL example, saving a WebP screenshot:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. Sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month with no card.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Selenium need a physical mouse for Actions API gestures?
No. The Actions API sends virtualized pointer input to the browser.
What does Selenium call a right-click?
The API method is named context_click() in Python.
Can I use Selenium actions to capture a screenshot?
The Actions API performs browser input gestures. For a standalone page image or PDF, ScreenshotNeo offers a screenshot API; the body includes a cURL example and its documentation link.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
