svelte/site/content/tutorial/06-bindings/11-bind-this/text.md

---
title: This
---

The readonly `this` binding applies to every element (and component) and allows you to obtain a reference to rendered elements. For example, we can get a reference to a `<canvas>` element:

```html
<canvas
	bind:this={canvas}
	width={256}
	height={256}
></canvas>
```

Note that the value of `canvas` will be `undefined` until the component has mounted, so we put the logic inside the `onMount` [lifecycle function](tutorial/onmount).