Owner draw–control messages notify the owner of a control created with the OWNERDRAW style that the control needs to be drawn and to provide information about the drawing required. The following list briefly describes these messages:
| Message | Description | |
| WM_COMPAREITEM | Determines which of two items sorts above the other in a sorted owner-draw list box or combo box. | |
| WM_DELETEITEM | Indicates that an item in an owner-draw list box or combo box has been deleted. | |
| WM_DRAWITEM | Indicates that an owner-draw control needs to be redrawn. | |
| WM_MEASUREITEM | Requests the dimensions of an owner-draw combo box, list box, or menu item. |