dblclick

Double-click, often written as dblclick, is the action of pressing the primary mouse button twice in rapid succession. In graphical user interfaces it usually triggers a default action for the targeted item, such as opening a file, launching an application, or selecting a word in a text field.

Whether two clicks constitute a double-click depends on the system’s double-click speed setting, which varies by platform and user preference. Most environments report a dblclick event when two clicks occur within a short interval, typically a few hundred milliseconds; clicks outside that window are treated as separate single clicks. Some toolkits provide explicit onDoubleClick callbacks.

In web browsers, the DOM includes a dblclick event. The event fires after two rapid click events and can be used to implement item activation. Accessibility considerations advise providing keyboard alternatives and not requiring double-clicks for essential actions, as some users have difficulty performing rapid consecutive clicks.

Common patterns include opening files in file managers, editing software, and selecting text where a double-click may select a word. On touch devices, double-tap is often used for zooming; interfaces should avoid conflicting gestures and offer single-tap actions and clear focus indications as alternatives.

Originating in early graphical user interfaces, the double-click metaphor became a standard for differentiating exploration from action. While still widely supported, developers increasingly design interfaces that do not rely on double-click for critical functions.