Move a 3D object to the clicked position in Unity

Click-to-move is a great intermediate beginner exercise because it combines input, 3D space, and readable movement logic in one compact pattern. Instead of only reacting to keyboard keys, the game now reads the world, understands where the player clicked, and turns that click into a destination.

The real value of this lesson is not only moving one object. It is learning how several Unity ideas connect: a click begins in screen space, a ray converts it into 3D space, a Raycast tells you what was hit, and smooth movement logic carries the object toward that point. Once that chain is clear, many strategy, action, and simulation interactions become easier to build.

• Translate a mouse click into a 3D ray using the main camera.
• Use Physics.Raycast to detect a valid floor or ground target.
• Store a destination and move toward it over time instead of teleporting.
• Separate input reading, target selection, rotation, and movement into readable responsibilities.

• A floor or plane with a collider so Raycast has something to hit.
• A player or object with a simple visible mesh that can move across the scene.
• A LayerMask reserved for the ground, so clicks on the wrong objects do not become movement targets.
• Basic familiarity with the Unity Inspector and scene testing workflow.

using UnityEngine;

public class ClickMoveController : MonoBehaviour
{
    [SerializeField] private float moveSpeed = 5f;
    [SerializeField] private LayerMask groundLayer;

    private Vector3 targetPosition;
    private bool hasTarget;

    private void Start()
    {
        targetPosition = transform.position;
    }

    private void Update()
    {
        if (Input.GetMouseButtonDown(0))
        {
            var ray = Camera.main.ScreenPointToRay(Input.mousePosition);
            if (Physics.Raycast(ray, out RaycastHit hit, 100f, groundLayer))
            {
                targetPosition = hit.point;
                hasTarget = true;
            }
        }

        if (!hasTarget) return;

        transform.position = Vector3.MoveTowards(
            transform.position,
            new Vector3(targetPosition.x, transform.position.y, targetPosition.z),
            moveSpeed * Time.deltaTime
        );
    }
}

• ScreenPointToRay converts a 2D mouse position into a 3D line that starts at the camera and goes into the world.
• The ground layer filter is important because it keeps the lesson predictable. Without it, decorative objects or other colliders can accidentally receive the click.
• MoveTowards is chosen here because it is easy to read. It gives a stable first result before you graduate to CharacterController, NavMesh, or Rigidbody-based motion.

• A click on the floor sets the next destination.
• The object only reacts to the ground layer you intended.
• Movement speed stays stable because it uses Time.deltaTime.

• Add a marker or particle effect where the player clicked so the destination becomes easier to understand visually.
• Allow right-click to cancel the current target and stop the character in place.
• Replace MoveTowards with NavMeshAgent later and compare the difference in pathing behavior.

• Click-to-move is really a chain of small ideas: screen input, ray creation, hit detection, and smooth world movement.
• Readable beginner code is often better than advanced systems too early, because it teaches why the interaction works.
• Once this lesson feels comfortable, you are ready for keyboard movement, target markers, or full NavMesh navigation.