The :first-child
CSS pseudo-class represents the first element among a group of sibling elements.
/* Selects any <p> element that is the first child of its parent element */ p:first-child { color: lime; background-color: black; }
Note: As originally defined, the selected element had to have a parent. Beginning with Selectors Level 4, this is no longer required.
Syntax
How to read CSS syntax.:first-child
Examples
Example 1
HTML
<div> <p>This p is styled, as it is a p AND the first child of its parent.</p> <p>This p is not styled; it is not the first child!</p> </div> <div> <h2>This h2 is not styled; it is not a p!</h2> <p>This p is not styled; it is not the first child!</p> </div>
CSS
p:first-child { color: lime; background-color: black; padding: 5px; }
Result
Example 2 - Using a list
HTML
<ul> <li>List 1</li> <li>List 2</li> <li>List 3</li> </ul>
CSS
li{ color: blue; } li:first-child { color: green; }
Result
Specifications
Specification | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
Selectors Level 4 The definition of ':first-child' in that specification. |
Working Draft | Matching elements are not required to have a parent. |
Selectors Level 3 The definition of ':first-child' in that specification. |
Recommendation | No change. |
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1) The definition of ':first-child' in that specification. |
Recommendation | Initial definition. |
Browser compatibility
[1] Internet Explorer 7 doesn't update the styles when elements are added dynamically. In Internet Explorer 8, if an element is inserted dynamically by clicking on a link the first-child style isn't applied until the link loses focus.
[2] See bug 1300374.
See also
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