---
title: Sensor
slug: Web/API/Sensor
tags:
  - API
  - Generic Sensor API
  - Interface
  - NeedsTranslation
  - Reference
  - Sensor
  - Sensor APIs
  - Sensors
  - TopicStub
translation_of: Web/API/Sensor
---
<div>{{APIRef("Generic Sensor API")}}</div>

<p><span class="seoSummary">The <strong><code>Sensor</code></strong> interface of the the <a href="/docs/Web/API/Sensor_APIs">Sensor APIs</a> is the base class for all the other sensor interfaces. This interface cannot be used directly. Instead it provides properties, event handlers, and methods accessed by interfaces that inherit from it.</span></p>

<p>If a feature policy blocks use of a feature it is because your code is inconsistent with the policies set on your server. This is not something that would ever be shown to a user. See {{httpheader('Feature-Policy')}} for implementation instructions.</p>

<h2 id="Interfaces_based_on_Sensor">Interfaces based on Sensor</h2>

<p>Below is a list of interfaces based on the Sensor interface.</p>

<div class="index">
<ul>
	<li>{{domxref('Accelerometer')}}</li>
	<li>{{domxref('AmbientLightSensor')}}</li>
	<li>{{domxref('Gyroscope')}}</li>
	<li>{{domxref('LinearAccelerationSensor')}}</li>
	<li>{{domxref('Magnetometer')}}</li>
	<li>{{domxref('OrientationSensor')}}</li>
</ul>
</div>

<h2 id="Properties">Properties</h2>

<dl>
	<dt>{{domxref('Sensor.activated')}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
	<dd>Returns a {{jsxref("Boolean")}} indicating whether the sensor is active.</dd>
	<dt>{{domxref('Sensor.hasReading')}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
	<dd>Returns a {{jsxref("Boolean")}} indicating whether the sensor has a reading.</dd>
	<dt>{{domxref('Sensor.timestamp')}} {{readonlyinline}}</dt>
	<dd>Returns the time stamp of the latest sensor reading.</dd>
</dl>

<h3 id="Event_handlers">Event handlers</h3>

<dl>
	<dt>{{domxref('Sensor.onerror')}}</dt>
	<dd>Called when an error occurs on one of the child interfaces of the <code>Sensor</code> interface.</dd>
	<dt>{{domxref('Sensor.onreading')}}</dt>
	<dd>Called when a reading is taken on one of the child interfaces of the Sensor interface.</dd>
	<dt>{{domxref('Sensor.onactivate')}}</dt>
	<dd>Called when one of the Sensor interface's becomes active.</dd>
</dl>

<h2 id="Methods">Methods</h2>

<dl>
	<dt>{{domxref('Sensor.start()')}}</dt>
	<dd>Activates one of the sensors based on <code>Sensor</code>.</dd>
	<dt>{{domxref('Sensor.stop()')}}</dt>
	<dd>Deactivates one of the sensors based on <code>Sensor</code>.</dd>
</dl>

<h2 id="Specifications">Specifications</h2>

<table class="standard-table">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th scope="col">Specification</th>
			<th scope="col">Status</th>
			<th scope="col">Comment</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>{{SpecName('Generic Sensor','#the-sensor-interface','Sensor')}}</td>
			<td>{{Spec2('Generic Sensor')}}</td>
			<td>Initial definition.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<h2 id="Browser_compatibility">Browser compatibility</h2>



<p>{{Compat("api.Sensor")}}</p>