Event Delegation in JavaScript

From the DOM Manipulation cheat sheet · Events - Advanced · verified Jul 2026

Event Delegation

Handle events efficiently using event bubbling and delegation

javascript
// Delegate events to parent
document.addEventListener('click', (event) => {
  if (event.target.matches('.button')) {
    // Handle button click
  }
})

// Closest for complex structures
list.addEventListener('click', (event) => {
  const item = event.target.closest('.item')
  if (item) {
    // Handle item click
  }
})
💡 Delegation works for dynamically added elements
⚡ One listener is better than many
📌 Use closest() for complex component structures
✅ Check event.target existence in delegated handlers

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