:default

The :default CSS pseudo-class represents any user interface element that is the default among a group of similar elements. For example, the default button in a set of buttons could be selected using this pseudo-class.

/* Selects default element among a group */
:default {
  background-color: lime;
}

User interface elements that permit multiple selections may have multiple defaults set in order to initially appear with multiple items selected. In that case all defaults can be represented using the :default pseudo-class.

Syntax

:default

Examples

:default
{
  background-color: lime;
}

...where...

 <form method="get">
  <p><input type="submit" id="submit1"></p>
  <p><input type="submit" id="submit2"></p>
  <p><input type="reset"></p>
 </form>

This example causes the background color to be lime for the default submit button in the form.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard
The definition of ':default' in that specification.
Living Standard No change.
HTML5
The definition of ':default' in that specification.
Recommendation Defines the semantic regarding HTML and constraint validation.
Selectors Level 4
The definition of ':default' in that specification.
Working Draft No change.
CSS Basic User Interface Module Level 3
The definition of ':default' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Defines the pseudo-class, but not the associated semantic.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 10.0 4.0 (2.0) No support 10.0 5.0
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support ? 4.0 (2.0) No support 10.0 5.0

Document Tags and Contributors

 Last updated by: chrisdavidmills,