In JavaScript, ariaOwnsElements is an array of elements that define a visual, functional, or contextual ownership relationship when the DOM hierarchy cannot express it for assistive technology (MDN).
Read the notes below before you get or set this property. Prefer feature detection when support is limited.
Syntax
Use el.ariaOwnsElements. Start with this line.
JavaScript
element.ariaOwnsElements
Call
What it does
element.ariaOwnsElements
Primary signature.
Built into the browser. Read or assign el.ariaOwnsElements — no import required.
Library declarations
JavaScript
element.ariaOwnsElements
Parameters
Parameter
Description
Owning element
Required. Parent in the accessibility tree
Owned element(s)
Required. Treated as children for AT
Custom elements
Optional. ElementInternals.ariaOwnsElements
Return Value
Return Value
Description
*
The current value of el.ariaOwnsElements.
JavaScript Examples
Example 1 — Read from aria-owns (MDN)
Feature-detect, then log the attribute and the reflected element array.
JavaScript
if ("ariaOwnsElements" in Element.prototype) {
const menu = document.getElementById("parentMenu");
console.log(menu.getAttribute("aria-owns"));
menu.ariaOwnsElements.forEach((el) => {
console.log(el.id);
});
} else {
console.log("not supported");
}
Get both elements. Owner and owned node references.
Assign an array. No id is required on the owned element for the property.
Attribute clears. MDN: setting the property clears aria-owns.
Read length. Confirms one owned element remains on the property.
Example 3 — Assigned Array Is Copied
Mutating the local array later does not change the property (MDN).
JavaScript
const menu = document.getElementById("parentMenu");
const a = document.getElementById("subMenu1");
const b = document.getElementById("other");
if ("ariaOwnsElements" in Element.prototype) {
const arr = [a];
menu.ariaOwnsElements = arr;
arr.push(b); // does not update the property
console.log(menu.ariaOwnsElements.length); // 1
}
Build a local array. Start with one owned element.
Assign it. The browser copies the array into the property.
Push later. Local mutation does not update ownership.
Reassign if you need to change the owned set.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Element.ariaOwnsElements has Limited availability on MDN (not Baseline). It is not Deprecated, Experimental, or Non-standard — still feature-detect. Logos use the shared browser-image-sprite.png sprite from this project.
✓ Limited availability
Element ariaOwnsElements
Element-reference form of aria-owns — ownership when DOM nesting is missing.
LimitedNot Baseline
Google ChromeModern support · Check current MDN
Check MDN
Mozilla FirefoxModern support · Check current MDN
Check MDN
Apple SafariModern support · Check current MDN
Check MDN
Microsoft EdgeChromium-based · Check current MDN
Check MDN
OperaChromium-based · Check current MDN
Check MDN
Internet ExplorerNo ariaOwnsElements
Not supported
ariaOwnsElementsFeature-detect
Bottom line: Always feature-detect. Prefer real DOM nesting when possible; use aria-owns / ariaOwnsElements only for relationships the DOM cannot express. See the MDN Element.ariaOwnsElements reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
An array of elements that define a visual, functional, or contextual ownership relationship with the parent element. Use it when the DOM hierarchy cannot represent that relationship for assistive technology.
No. MDN does not mark Element.ariaOwnsElements as Deprecated, Experimental, or Non-standard. It has Limited availability (not Baseline yet), so feature-detect before use.
The attribute uses space-separated id strings. The property uses Element references. Assigned elements do not need an id. Setting the property clears the corresponding attribute.
Only when ownership cannot be expressed by normal DOM nesting. Prefer real parent/child structure when possible. Common teaching example: a menu and a submenu that are sibling nodes in the DOM.
No. When read, the returned array is static and read-only. When written, the assigned array is copied—later changes to that array do not update the property.
They need ids only when you use the aria-owns attribute. When you assign ariaOwnsElements = [elem], the elements do not require an id attribute.
