Web browser: Hide mouse cursor

Question

Is it possible to hide the mouse cursor in a web browser?

I've done this in Flash for a touch screen application, where a mouse cursor is distracting and unneeded. This time it's for a display screen that is non-interactive, so a mouse cursor is not needed.

My gut feeling is there's no easy way to achieve this in the web browser, only by use of a browser plug-in.

The browser in use is Firefox, so perhaps there's a plug-in that achieves this? Although it would be preferable to be able to do this via JavaScript/jQuery.

Solution 1

Just use a CSS rule:

* {
cursor: none;
}

Solution 2

Finding something that works across browsers is a pain.

The code below works on Chrome, IE, and Firefox. IE likes .cur files, Chrome likes the embedded png, and some browsers actually respect the none :)

#div {
    cursor: url('data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAYAAAAfFcSJAAAAAXNSR0IArs4c6QAAAARnQU1BAACxjwv8YQUAAAAJcEhZcwAADsMAAA7DAcdvqGQAAAAZdEVYdFNvZnR3YXJlAFBhaW50Lk5FVCB2My41LjbQg61aAAAADUlEQVQYV2P4//8/IwAI/QL/+TZZdwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg=='),
    url(images/blank.cur),
    none !important;
}

Solution 3

Try using the CSS:

  #elementID{
     cursor: none;
  }

Comments

[goddva]

correct - but some browsers will still show the cursor if the document height is not filled / >100% ..

[Peter Bridger]

I'd heard talk about this, but was told it didn't work... it's a nice surprise it does :)

[sudarshan]

Works in chrome for me (version 6.0.472.63 on Mac OSX).

[Jeremy]

Chrome in Kiosk (full screen with no borders) mode (version 12.0.742.122, windows xp sp3) and with window maximized seem to ignore BODY {cursor: none} and * {cursor: none} -- maybe I misunderstood the answer though.

[Jeremy]

Can't edit my last comment (too old?). Chrome in Kiosk mode with * {cursor: none} in css will remove the cursor. (version 16.0.912.77 m, on xp sp3)

[Gilead]

To get a set of public domain blank cursors (including .cur): pc.autons.net/stuff/blanks

[Simon Somlai]

Worked for me. Couldn't retrieve the .cur file anywhere so here's another link; Download blank.cur

[Stephan]

You can find blank cursors here: web.archive.org/web/20120320085351/http://pc.autons.net/stuf‌​f/…